ISTA Pharma Committee: New Passive Thermal Packaging Guidance Document

ISTA releases its operational qualification (OQ) best practice guideline. Get involved: The committee needs task force members!

International Safe Transit Association (ISTA)

Nov 24th, 2020

Passive Thermal Oq Guideline Cover 1

The ISTA Pharma Committee is pleased to release their latest technical paper "ISTA PCG-02 Passive Thermal Packaging System Operational Qualification Best Practice Guideline". The committee's goal was to develop a guideline for the passive thermal packaging operational qualification process that defines the minimum requirements and drives standardization among packaging providers and life science companies alike.

Check out our Q&A here, and background on their USP Stimuli Article.

The new guideline is a result of a collaborative effort between life science companies and solution suppliers tasked with developing a set of mutually beneficial and harmonized requirements.

Download now!

Call for Task Force Members

As a result of the virtual discussions over the summer, the ISTA Pharma Committee is forming task forces to develop best practice guidance on two key industry topics:

Ambient Temperature Profiles (link to join)
Performance Qualification/Verification (link to join)

The goal of the guidelines are to drive standardization of best practices for the benefit of both new and experienced professionals working in the temperature sensitive distribution industry.

ISTA's Pharma Committee is looking for industry professionals with experience in these two topics to become members of the task forces. If you are interested please click on the links next to bullets above.

Related: Reusable Transport Packaging in Healthcare

Q&A: The New OQ Standard for Reusable Pharma Shippers

ISTA Pharma Committee Releases USP Stimuli Article

Four Reasons Reusable Packaging Is the Best Prescription for Pharma

Reusable and Refillable Packaging Innovations from Around the World

Reusable Packaging Needs in Healthcare

International Safe Transit Association (ISTA)

Screen Shot 2021 05 12 At 8 21 22 Am

Packaging World on Marketplace: How COVID-19 Might Change Packaging for Good

Packaging World Editor Matt Reynolds talked packaging with Marketplace’s Kai Ryssdal earlier this week. Here’s how that interview unfolded…

Superfood smoothie maker TUSOL Wellness uses a range of shades directly representing the hero ingredient of each of its individual smoothie sachets.

5 Emerging Trends in E-commerce Package Design

The rise in e-commerce in 2020 forced brands to rethink their package design to connect with consumers outside the retail environment. Here are five design trends that resulted and advice on how to select the style that’s best for your brand.

Injection-molded PP and a unique package closure are keys behind the success of this new product from CleverFoodies.

CleverFoodies Leverages Injection-Molded Package

Dan Felton, Executive Director, AMERIPEN

Four Packaging-Related Bills Making Their Way Through Congress

Recent bills introduced at the federal level related to packaging end-of-life management could signal a national approach to future packaging legislation.

Trend Toward Paperboard Can Handles Leaps From Craft Brew to Major Food/Bev Multipacks

What started as a craft brew trend toward paperboard replacing its plastic can handle multipacks is now being seen in brands like Coca-Cola and Heinz UK. Watch this 'Take Five with Packaging World' video to learn more.

Recycle Ready Pouches: How to be Sustainable and Efficient

Recycle Ready Pouches: How to be Sustainable and Efficient

The Ares 400-SUP runs recycle ready PE, laminated films and bio-films with ease and low scrap rates. It's compact, efficient, easy-to-operate and quick changeover design is perfect for recycle ready pouches.

Video conferencing software and the adoption of digital communications across demographics has enabled virtual consumer focus-group testing during COVID.

5 Benefits of Virtual Focus Group Testing

Necessitated by the pandemic, virtual consumer focus-group testing offers benefits such as reduced costs, more authentic outcomes, and a wider pool of subjects from which to draw.

Leading Food Companies to Receive Sustainability Excellence in Manufacturing Awards at PACK EXPO Las Vegas

ProFood World is set to honor Conagra Brands, Smithfield Foods, B&G Foods, Liffey Meats, and Graphic Packaging International for outstanding sustainability achievements.

Degree Inclusive's pack design employs a hooked cap design and integral handle.

People with Limb, Vision Disabilities Gain Access with Inclusive Deodorant Pack Design

A revolutionary deodorant pack prototype from Unilever’s Degree brand, now in beta-testing in certain communities of people with disabilities, makes the deodorant application process much more accessible.

Burger King® Rolls Out Green Packaging Pilot Program

Burger King® Rolls Out Green Packaging Pilot Program

Alternatives for oft-used guest-facing items will be tested, the Loop reusables program will be expanded, and partnerships with the Coca-Cola Company and Kraft Heinz will further sustainable initiatives.

Dr. R. Andrew Hurley, Associate Professor, Clemson University

Old-School Prototyping Speeds Modern Packaging Design Workflow

A five-step packaging prototype design process based on ‘old-fashioned’ tools from Dr. R. Andrew Hurley helps students reap the benefits of both physical and digital tools.

Check out The Cobot Spot from Universal Robots

Check out The Cobot Spot from Universal Robots

Looking for automation solutions for packaging and palletizing? This is your destination for all things cobot. Whether it’s webinars, video case studies or product information, you’ll find it all in this one spot.

How B2B can pivot to B2C operations.

The Logistics of Pivoting from B2B to B2C

The pandemic has brought swift surges to e-commerce and D2C sales. How can a traditionally B2B company quickly pivot to the B2C market during these times?

Among the personal care brands that have switched their packaging from plastic to aluminum is plant-based hair care company Eva NYC.

Specialty Personal Care Brands Embrace Aluminum

Bath and hygiene brands that target sustainability-minded consumers—ones who are less sensitive to price and more concerned about doing good—are landing on aluminum as an ‘infinitely’ recyclable plastic alternative.

Innovations in Sustainable Packaging for Confectionery & Ice Cream

Nestlé, Unilever, and Mars Wrigley pioneer technologies—such as advanced recycling, recycled-content plastic, reusable packaging, and a switch from plastic to paper—to reduce their use of virgin plastic materials. This Take Five video has the full story.

Men’s Grooming Brand L’Atelier Shelter Breaks Category Norms

Packaging for L’Atelier Shelter men’s grooming products uses a simple, dark design to convey mystery and creativity; refill packs enhance sustainability.

The package used by the Hand Wash Therapy collection is a custom, 12-oz brushed aluminum bottle from a proprietary supplier.

Aluminum Bottles, Aromatherapy Scents Elevate the Hand Wash Category

Wanting to keep the planet both pretty and healthy, premium, vegan-friendly brand Raw Sugar introduces a new aromatherapeutic hand wash line in a 100% recyclable aluminum bottle.

The liquid filling system capably handles a wide range of product viscosities.

Spicing up the Packaging of Sauces Having Varied Viscosities

When demand outstrips food packaging capacity, new equipment is the best solution. But when product viscosities vary and flavors are superb, not just any machinery will do.

The new bottles are made from 100% aluminum, with some formats containing an amount of recycled material.

Masstige Hair Care Brand Moves to Aluminum for Full Line

Plant-based hair care brand Eva NYC addresses sustainable beauty’s biggest issue—non-recyclable packaging—with vibrant, new 100% recyclable aluminum bottles.

Hershey Brazil has capitalized on digital printing of flexible film as a way of celebrating female talent during International Women’s Day.

Hershey Celebrates International Women's Day with Digital Print Campaign

At Hershey Brazil, the #HerSheGallery transforms a chocolate bar wrapper into a celebration of women, as Hershey once again uses a digital print campaign to mark International Women's Day.

More in Home

Enter AmeriStar Competition For Package Design: Deadline May 21

AmeriStar entries are accepted across 17 categories, and include three special top awards: Best of Show Award, Sustainable Packaging Award, and Design Excellence Award. Here's your chance to gain recognition for your innovative package design.

The custom, 10-oz bottle with shapely, rounded shoulders, is printed in a range of bright colors that align with the company’s established color palette.

New Hand Soap and Sanitizer Clean Up with Aluminum Bottle

Hand soap company Hand in Hand packs its ‘sustainable suds’ in colorful, modern aluminum bottles, a move it says helped propel a growth in sales of 1,000% YOY.

4:20 Matt Pw Title

Post-COVID Consumer Trends and Their Effect on CPGs Today | Digital Printing Lets Brands Promote Inclusion with Themed Short Runs

Today's Take Five Video: Brands are being asked to take a stance on environmental and social issues. Packaging is a great vehicle to promote those stances. Digital printing allows for short runs of timely, socially themed packs when these occasions arise.

The new 100% recyclable film, a biaxially oriented polyethylene, was three years in the making

Nature Valley is First in Snack Bar Category with 100% Recyclable Film

General Mills’ new polyethylene-based film wrap for Nature Valley Crunchy granola bars is certified to carry the How2Recycle label for Store Drop-Off systems.

Packs of bottles needed to be palletized at a rate of 14 packs per minute.

Video: Robotic Palletizers Boost Production Efficiencies at Soda Producer Radnor Hills

Award-winning UK soft drinks producer Radnor Hills installed three ABB end-of-line robotic palletizers from robotics integrator RMGroup. The move has enabled the manufacturer to benefit from process efficiencies throughout their production.

Getty Images 1126880991

A New Model for Digitizing Supply Chain Operations

Global supply chain leaders are collaborating to shape and transform next generation digital supply chain networks.

Among the new formats are a hexagonal paper tube for the Smarties Giant Tube, a multipack consisting of paper tubes held together with a label, a paper bag for small cartons of mini Smarties, and a stand-up pouch.

Nestlé Achieves ‘Paperization’ of Confectionery Packaging

Transitioning from plastic to paper for 419 SKUs of its Smarties brand chocolate candies requires extensive R&D in new materials, new package designs, equipment compatibility, and recycling potential for Nestlé.

Corona Six-Pack Carrier Employs Barley Straw Waste for Sustainable Break-Through

AB InBev and Circular Packaging

In this exclusive interview with Mundo PMMI, AB InBev's Global Director of Packaging Innovation, Keenan Thompson, explains their recent development of a truly circular packaging for its beer six-pack using barley straw as a raw material.

Contract Packaging Association Webinar

Consumer-Centric Packaging Innovation

Is packaging the product? Consumers drive package and product innovation with their decision making and trends. Recently the Contract Packaging Association discussed this intersection between innovation and consumer.

Based on linear servo track technology, the Orboter has movers called “Probots” on which actuators can be mounted.

Wireless Network for Manufacturing Offers the Reliability of Wired IO-Link

The use of wireless in manufacturing plants is still met with a good deal of skepticism today. Much of this doubt is based on experience with traditional wireless, which is simply not reliable because it’s neither fast enough nor scalable.

Blake Griffin, senior analyst, Interact Analysis presenting on predictive maintenance strategies at PMMI's Executive Leadership Conference.

Live at the ELC: OEMs Can Monetize Predictive Maintenance

Predictive maintenance is an emerging technology for packaging and processing equipment that has the potential to disrupt the OEM business model.

Inputs for materials, equipment, and labor will be getting more expensive across the board, but a tight labor market will be the biggest limiting factor for CPGs. Automation is a great way to circumvent this.

Live at the ELC: Economic Forecast for Brands Timing Their Packaging Machinery Procurement

The U.S. and global economies are poised for a long period of expansion, meaning more consumer spending power and top line growth for brands, but also higher input prices for CPGs, including materials, machinery, and labor.