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UPS has improved its capability to produce dry ice to 1,200 pounds per hour amid fears of a dry ice shortage
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It also plans to supply portable freezers for storage of vaccines at a range of -20°C to -80°C
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These service enhancements are to prepare for the complex, urgent demands for COVID-19 vaccine storage and distribution
United Parcel Service (UPS) has enhanced its capability to produce dry ice and will be supplying portable freezers to aid in the massive distribution efforts for COVID-19 vaccines in the coming months.
The Atlanta-based logistics service provider in a November 24 release said its UPS Healthcare unit can now produce up to 1,200 pounds of dry ice per hour in its US facilities to support the storage and transportation of cold chain products, such as frozen vaccines, in accordance with manufacturer storage requirements.
A major spike in demand is causing logistics providers to plan for what some analysts fear may be a dry ice shortage, as pharmaceutical companies strategize getting hundreds of millions of their vaccine doses safely to communities around the US and internationally, UPS noted.
“Enhancing our dry ice production capabilities increases our supply chain agility and reliability immensely when it comes to handling complex vaccines for our customers,” said Wes Wheeler, president of UPS Healthcare.
“Healthcare facilities in Louisville, Dallas and Ontario will ensure we have the capability to produce dry ice to sufficiently pack and replenish shipments as needed to keep products viable and effective.”
In addition, UPS will also launch, in collaboration with Stirling Ultracold, a joint effort to provide portable ultra-low temperature (ULT) freezers. These portable freezers will be distributed and used in smaller point-of-care facilities requiring a more permanent solution for longer term freezer storage.
UPS will be offering the Stirling ULT25 and Undercounter Model SU105 to thermally protect critical vaccines requiring ultra-low temperatures ranging anywhere from -20°C to -80°C.
Dusty Tenney, CEO of Stirling, which manufactures small and portable ULT devices, said their freezers “integrate well with UPS Healthcare logistics to provide complete cold-chain of custody for COVID-19 vaccines from the drug manufacturers to medical facilities.”
“This program will help ensure vaccines remain effective next year, and for years to come, as future vaccines and biologics are developed to keep the world healthy and safe,” he said.
UPS Healthcare operates 128 facilities in 32 countries which are regulated under Good Manufacturing Practices. Its services include inventory management, temperature-controlled packaging and shipping, storage and fulfillment of medical devices, labs and clinical trial logistics.
Photo courtesy of UPS
