Sonoco ThermoSafe buys AAR cold chain solutions assets

Sonoco ThermoSafe, a unit of Sonoco and a leading global provider of temperature-assurance packaging, has acquired the PharmaPort 360 assets, licenses, trademarks and manufacturing rights from AAR, to enter the active temperature-controlled cargo containers market.

“This acquisition is in line with our strategy to provide the best temperature-controlled shipping solution irrespective of technology platform (passive or active) to meet our customers’ critical needs for shipping high-value pharmaceuticals and biologics globally. Sonoco is committed to investing in passive and active technologies, like that of PharmaPort 360, and expanding its presence globally in the temperature-controlled packaging industry,” said Vicki Arthur, vice president of Sonoco Protective Solutions.

Sonoco ThermoSafe will own and lease the PharmaPort 360 containers globally while signing a multi-year agreement with AAR to manufacture, repair and perform maintenance services. The PharmaPort 360 is an innovative active container that uses regenerative heat exchangers to maintain stringent temperature control for high-value cargo. These containers, which are approved by the US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA), can be used to safely ship temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals, blood plasma and other biological cargo via air or ground transportation.

Russell Grissett, vice president of Sonoco ThermoSafe, added, “PharmaPort 360 is a strategic addition to our product offerings, making Sonoco ThermoSafe a valued partner for many global pharmaceutical and freight forwarding companies by providing the widest range of passive and active bulk temperature-controlled packaging solutions. Additionally, Sonoco’s global footprint and deep understanding of the temperature-assurance packaging market will help expand the availability of PharmaPort 360 active containers across global regions.”

Sonoco ThermoSafe is one of the leading global providers of temperature assurance packaging for the safe and efficient transport of pharmaceuticals, biologics, vaccines and other temperature-sensitive products. With operations in North America, South America, Europe and Asia, Sonoco ThermoSafe has a vast product offering featuring industry-leading technology that encompasses refrigerated, frozen or controlled room temperature applications.