Thermal pallet cover for medicines and pharma
A thermal pallet cover for pharma is an insulating cover that you place over a pallet, roll container or ULD, so medicines and vaccines are less exposed to temperature swings during transport and storage. It is also called a medical thermal blanket or thermal insulation cover. Below you will find what the cover does for the pharmaceutical sector, which versions there are and what it does not do.
What does a medical thermal blanket do for medicines?
The cover works as passive insulation. It keeps heat, cold and moisture out of the load and so gives a calmer temperature curve. The cover measures nothing, controls nothing and does not actively cool. It slows down temperature change, but does not stop it completely.
We do not promise conformity with a guideline or quality mark, such as GDP. You can read more about this in our article on GDP guidelines.
Thermal pallet cover pharma: which versions are there?
A thermal pallet cover for pharma is, for us, the same cover as for other chilled cargo. Only the application differs. These are the versions named in the product data for medicines and vaccines:
| Version | Size | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| Euro pallet | 120 x 80 x 150 cm | Standard euro pallets, also double-layer |
| Block pallet | 120 x 100 x 150 cm | Standard block pallets, also double-layer |
| Large block pallet | 120 x 120 x 150 cm | Large loads on block pallets |
| Small pallet | 80 x 60 x 150 cm | Smaller shipments |
| Roll container | 85 x 70 x 155 cm | Vaccines and medicines in roll containers |
| ULD PMC | 320 x 240 x 150 cm | Air freight containers of the PMC format |
| IBC container | 120 x 100 x 120 cm | Pharmaceutical liquids |
| Drum | 60 x 60 x 90 cm | Liquids in drums |
All covers are reusable and made of sturdy materials. You can see the full range at our insulated pallet covers.
Pharma pallet cover: why pallets and ULD?
Our covers were developed for air freight. The cover is lightweight and fits over a pallet or ULD. While loading and unloading on the apron, cargo is often unprotected in the sun or in the cold. This is exactly where the temperature peaks occur that bring a shipment out of specification. The cover protects against temperature swings and moisture.
People often forget that warm air rises. An insulated base of bubble film laminated with aluminum closes off the pallet at the bottom. You will find more practical points in our article on ULD cover: sizes and how it works in air freight.
Cold chain pallet cover in the cold chain
A cold chain pallet cover is one part of the cold chain, not the whole chain. For pharmaceutical shipments, insulated pallet covers are used as passive protection, often combined with cooling elements or ice packs, to keep the cold chain intact on routes where no active cooling is available. For smaller shipments there are the EPS box and the insulated shipping bag.
For block pallets and euro pallets there are also double-layer covers. We do not state hours or temperature ranges, because the result depends on the starting temperature of the load, the duration of transport and handling and the outside temperature. How long an insulated pallet cover keeps the load at temperature is covered in the article on how long an insulated pallet cover keeps the load at temperature.
What the cover does not do
The cover provides no certificate, measures nothing and does not actively cool. The starting temperature of the load also determines the result.
What the product pages say about medicines and vaccines
For each version the product page states which pharmaceutical application is named:
| Version | Size | Pharma application named |
|---|---|---|
| Insulated pallet cover, euro pallet | 120 x 80 x 150 cm | Protection for medicines, vaccines, perishable goods and other temperature-sensitive products |
| Insulated pallet cover, block pallet | 120 x 100 x 150 cm | Pharmaceutical logistics: safe storage and transport of medicines, vaccines and other sensitive products |
| Insulated pallet cover | 120 x 120 x 150 cm | Pharmaceutical logistics: medicines, vaccines and other temperature-sensitive goods |
| Insulated pallet cover | 80 x 60 x 150 cm | Pharmaceuticals: protecting medicines and sensitive products during transport |
| Insulated cover, roll container | 85 x 70 x 155 cm | Pharmaceuticals: delicate products such as vaccines and medicines |
| Insulated cover, IBC | 120 x 100 x 120 cm | Pharmaceutical industry: safe storage and transport of vaccines, medicines and other temperature-sensitive products |
| Insulated cover, drum | 60 x 60 x 90 cm | Pharmaceutical logistics: sensitive products such as liquids and chemicals |
| ULD thermal cover PMC | 320 x 240 x 150 cm | Pharmaceutical industry: vaccines, medicines and other sensitive products |
| Thermal Pallet Cover | 120 x 80 x 150 cm | Pharmaceutical logistics: maintaining the integrity of medicines and vaccines |
| ISO blankets for freight pallets | 120 x 100 x 150 cm | Pharmaceuticals: the integrity of medicines, vaccines and other sensitive products |
| Insulated Cargo Blankets for pallets | 120 x 100 x 150 cm | Pharmaceutical logistics: protecting medicines, vaccines and delicate products |
| Thermal insulation covers | 120 x 100 x 160 cm | Pharmaceuticals: suitable for medicines, vaccines and other sensitive products |
For pharma the collection text names medicines, vaccines and laboratory samples. About 95% of the insulated pallet covers go by air, and pharmaceutical shipments appear in the collection text among the typical cargo, alongside meat, fish, fruit and vegetables.
Frequently asked questions about a medical thermal blanket
Is a thermal pallet cover for medicines GDP compliant?
We do not promise that. The cover insulates passively and protects against swings.
Can I use the same cover for food as well?
Yes, the same versions are used for dairy, fruit and vegetables. See the article on an insulated pallet cover for food.
Is a pharma pallet cover reusable?
The covers are made for repeated use.
Which cover does the product page name for vaccines in a roll container?
The cover for roll containers of 85 x 70 x 155 cm names vaccines and medicines. So do the reusable versions with fold-up door (85 x 70 x 155 cm) and without opening (85 x 70 x 150 cm), which name pharmaceutical transport and protection against temperature changes.
Which cover is there for pharmaceutical liquids?
The IBC cover (120 x 100 x 120 cm) and the drum cover (60 x 60 x 90 cm). The IBC page names vaccines, medicines and other temperature-sensitive products, the page of the drum cover names liquids and chemicals.
Order a medical thermal blanket
View our range of insulated pallet covers and choose the size that fits your pallet, roll container or ULD. Cooled Solutions makes cold chain packaging in its own production since 1972. Get in touch if you are unsure about the version.
You will find all names in our glossary.
