This trailer is pre-conditioned at the correct temperature in order to hold pharmaceutical shipments within the correct temperature limits during transportation between warehouses and aircraft at an affordable cost. This is crucial in terms of handling, because an incorrect temperature can cause rejection of medicines. Until the product's launch, the period on the tarmac was considered the most hazardous link in the transportation process.
"The pharmaceutical sector is of great economic importance to our country. Brussels Airport Company has become the preferred gateway in Europe for the cold chain industry, and medicines in particular," stated Steven Polmans, Head of Cargo at Brussels airport. "Within the Flanders Pharma Hub Project, the local freight partners are brought together by Brussels airport to realise innovations for an improved treatment of pharmaceutical products," added Nathan De Valck, Cargo & Product Development Manager at Brussels airport.
The active version of the Airside Pharma Transporter is a first, because it ensures that the inside temperature is always (and automatically) pre-conditioned at the correct temperature. This eliminates the need for the handling agent to condition the transport vehicle and results in quicker cycle times between different modes of transport. The Airside Pharma Transporter makes use of a new type of cooling technology and relies on solar power, so that it can operate autonomously for several days.
