Sonoco ThermoSafe Acquires AAR

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

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 active container uses regenerative heat exchangers to maintain stringent temperature control for high-value cargo. These containers are approved by the U.S. Federal Aviation Authority (FAA), and can be used to safely ship temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals, blood plasma and other biological cargo via air or ground transportation.

Vicki Arthur, VP of Sonoco Protective Solutions, says, “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.”

“This transaction leverages AAR's specialty container manufacturing capabilities and its focus on aftermarket support, while partnering with an industry leader in the sales and fulfillment requirements associated with transportation of products for the pharmaceutical industry,” says Lee Krantz, AAR Senior VP of Technology Products.

PharmaPort® containers provide safe, reliable 5°C door-to-door transport of pharmaceuticals and other high-value cargo. Its exclusive Pro-Tectic® regenerative phase-change technology uses active cooling and heating to maintain assured product temperature stability through an ambient temperature range of -40°C to +60°C.

From initial loading in a source facility to unpacking at the destination, PharmaPort containers transition easily through standard international air and ground transport systems. This allows common carriers and third-party logistics providers to offer precision temperature-controlled service using a proven, self-contained modular unit.

“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," notes Russell Grissett, VP of Sonoco ThermoSafe. “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.”