Discover your next big idea for life sciences at PACK EXPO Las Vegas
Experience a breakthrough in life sciences packaging—explore solutions from 2,300 suppliers spanning all industries, all in one place this September

Henry Schein Animal Health opts for wool packaging

Scotland-based animal health distributor chooses wool for temperature-sensitive vaccines for cold chain logistics benefits.

Hp 20383 600 Henry Schein Low Res
Henry Schein Animal Health, a veterinary products and services wholesaler in Dumfries, Scotland, uses a 140,000 sq-ft distribution facility that houses more than 15,000 items of stock and a state-of-the-art Knapp picking and packing line. Part of the Henry Schein group, the animal healthcare distribution company now employs Woolcool® insulated packaging for temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals from The Wool Packaging Co.

The Woolcool material, marketed as a sustainable and effective alternative to packaging such as polystyrene, was unveiled at the World Small Animal Veterinary Association Congress (WSAVA) in Birmingham.

Henry Schein plans to use Woolcool predominantly for temperature-sensitive medical products, including vaccines, as the packaging has been validated to maintain internal temperatures between 2°C and 8°C for more than 72 hr.

The cushioning fleece also protects against breakages in transit. Woolcool is particularly important for delivering these products to the most remote and rural veterinary practices in the U.K. In closely controlled situations this may even allow for dispatching orders on Fridays, even if they will not be received until Monday.

Peter Dodd, operations director of Henry Schein Animal Health in the U.K., learned of Woolcool insulated packaging through an interview with designer and CEO Angela Morris on BBC Radio 2's Drivetime Innovation feature. The Wool Packaging Company said it was awarded a U.K. government-funded research grant to develop the packaging for temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals.

Dodd instigated independent temperature-validation trials on behalf of Henry Schein Animal Health and the results proved Woolcool to be a sustainable packaging solution, providing benefits such as performance, sustainability, biodegradability, recyclability or reusable components.

Henry Schein distributes animal health products and services, serving veterinary customers through its operations in Austria, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, and the U.K. Henry Schein's global Animal Health business also includes operations in the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand. Henry Schein Animal Health U.K. (formerly Dunlops) was founded in 1921. Henry Schein Animal Health serves the animal health profession throughout the U.K. with pharmaceuticals, equipment, pet food, and veterinary disposables. Henry Schein Animal Health has been a subsidiary of Henry Schein since 2007.

The Wool Packaging Co. designs, manufactures, and supplies high performance, environmentally friendly insulated packaging products and packaging for temperature-sensitive goods, from food to pharmaceuticals. The company says that as a result of an “enthusiastic reception to the introduction of Woolcool in the U.K., Henry Schein [has] placed further orders to meet the growing demand for this sustainable insulated packaging product.”
Medical Device Innovations Report
Cutting-edge packaging technologies are transforming the medical device sector in PMMI’s “Innovation in Medical Device” report, featuring advanced materials, smart solutions, and evolving regulations. Editors share insights from nearly 300 PACK EXPO booth visits—each product deemed new and truly innovative—alongside video demonstrations of the equipment and materials on display.
Learn More
Medical Device Innovations Report
Pharmaceutical Innovations Report
Discover the latest breakthrough packaging technologies shaping the pharmaceutical sector. This report dives into cutting-edge innovations, from smart containers that enhance patient safety to eco-friendly materials poised to transform the industry’s sustainability practices. All from PACK EXPO. Learn how forward-thinking strategies are driving efficiency and redefining what’s possible in pharma packaging.
Learn More
Pharmaceutical Innovations Report