Phase Change Technology (PCM): It’s Time for a Change!
The United States cold chain is in desperate need of a revolution. For decades, passive technologies like Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) and PCM (Phase Change Materials) have dominated the industry due to their upfront affordability and widespread availability. But as we dig deeper, the true cost of this addiction becomes painfully clear. Understanding the hidden costs and unsustainable practices behind these technologies is increasingly more important in how we manage the cold chain.
The Hidden Cost of Passive Technologies in the Cold Chain
The reliance on outdated materials such as EPS and PCM has been a mainstay in cold chain logistics due to their low price point and ease of access. However, beneath the surface lies an array of issues that impact product integrity, patient safety, environmental sustainability, and even the financial bottom line.
Lack of Precision Temperature Control
Cold chain solutions that rely on PCM and EPS often lack the precision necessary for safeguarding sensitive products. These temperature-sensitive materials require exacting conditions to remain effective. With passive technologies, fluctuations in temperature—called "temperature excursions"—are all too common. This can lead to:
Loss of Product Quality & Integrity: Temperature excursions jeopardize the safety and efficacy of pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and other sensitive materials. The failure to maintain the correct temperature range can result in a loss of product integrity, putting patient safety at risk.
Diminished Efficacy: Medications and treatments exposed to uncontrolled temperatures may lose their potency, rendering them less effective or even harmful in some cases.
Waste: The financial losses from spoiled products are staggering. Globally, approximately $35 billion is wasted every year due to cold chain failures. The situation is even more dire in remote and rural parts of the U.S., often referred to as “pharmacy deserts.
The to prepare PCM’s by freezing or refrigerating for long periods of time increases energy costs tremendously and greatly reduces any sustainability or green initiatives programs.
No Real-Time Visibility
One of the most significant drawbacks of passive cold chain solutions is the lack of visibility throughout the supply chain. Without embedded tracking systems, logistics teams are left in the dark:
Where is the shipment?: Passive technologies don’t typically allow for real-time GPS tracking, making it difficult to pinpoint the location of temperature-sensitive goods.
What’s the current condition?: There's no way to know if the product is being stored at the correct temperature at any given moment.
Is the product safe to administer?: Without data on the product's temperature history, it’s nearly impossible to determine if it's still viable upon arrival.
Tested and accurate built in real time temperature monitors ensure your product is delivered in the right condition, to the correct location all while giving you full visibility of the entire shipment.
These issues lead to uncertainty, unnecessary product waste, and delayed decision-making when replacements or alternative shipments are required.
Lack of Chain of Custody Security
Another critical concern is the vulnerability of the cold chain to security breaches. As products travel through various checkpoints, including Transportation Service Providers (TSP), there’s a lack of control:
Temperature Maintenance: Passive systems rely heavily on TSPs, and once a shipment reaches its final delivery point, monitoring temperature control becomes even more difficult.
Counterfeit Product Swaps: The value of shipped pharmaceuticals and biologicals is growing, consequently the issue of counterfeit goods infiltrating the supply chain makes a secure chain of custody essential. Without active tracking, counterfeit product swaps can go unnoticed, leading to devastating consequences for both patients and businesses.
Environmental Impact: No ESG in Sight
From an Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) perspective, current cold chain practices are far from sustainable. Most passive technologies like EPS and other packaging materials end up in landfills, contributing to the growing waste problem:
Expanded Polystyrene Addiction: The widespread use of EPS and PCMs in cold chain transport persists due to its low cost and easy availability. However, these shipping materials are non-biodegradable, leading to massive waste accumulation.
Hospital-at-Home Initiatives Stalled: As home healthcare and hospital-at-home programs expand, the reliance on EPS and passive technologies becomes increasingly problematic. These systems hinder the development of sustainable cold chain solutions for at-home care, making it difficult to meet evolving healthcare needs in an environmentally friendly way.
Active Reusability: The Long-Term Solution
The cost savings of passive technologies are illusory when you consider the long-term implications. While the upfront costs of EPS and PCM may be low, reusable active containers and systems amortize their costs over time and provide a sustainable alternative. Renting reusable systems, rather than purchasing single-use materials, helps businesses demonstrate their commitment to environmental responsibility.
Active, reusable cold chain systems not only reduce waste but also offer superior tracking and monitoring capabilities. Embedded tracking devices provide real-time visibility, ensuring temperature stability and improving the overall security of the supply chain.
Thaddeus Medical Systems: Leading the Charge for Change
Thaddeus Medical Systems is at the forefront of this necessary revolution in the cold chain. With their advanced reusable cold chain solutions, they eliminate the limitations of traditional passive technologies.
Precision Temperature Control: Thaddeus Medical's solutions provide exacting temperature control to prevent costly temperature excursions, ensuring that pharmaceutical and biotech products retain their full efficacy throughout their journey.
Real-Time Visibility: Unlike outdated PCM systems, Thaddeus Medical integrates cutting-edge GPS and temperature monitoring into their reusable containers, offering real-time data on the location and condition of the shipment. This ensures total transparency and traceability throughout the supply chain.
Sustainability at the Core: The company’s innovative, reusable systems replace harmful styrofoam packaging, drastically reducing waste. By choosing to rent or purchase Thaddeus Medical’s reusable containers, companies can meet their ESG goals, cutting down on landfill waste while demonstrating their commitment to environmental sustainability.
Enhanced Security: With Thaddeus Medical's chain-of-custody technology, every handoff is tracked and monitored, ensuring the security of products and protecting against counterfeit or compromised shipments.
The hidden costs of passive cold chain technologies can no longer be ignored. Through its next-generation cold chain solutions, Thaddeus Medical Systems is ensuring precision, security, and sustainability while setting the new standard for the cold chain industry. The future is clear—and it’s time for a change.