Delivering Sustainable Cold Chain Compliance for New Zealand's Largest Pharma Wholesaler

CLIENT BACKGROUND

ProPharma is New Zealand’s largest pharmaceutical wholesaler and a key part of the EBOS Group, Australasia’s largest pharma conglomerate with over $11 billion in annual revenue. The company services eight distribution centres across both the North and South Islands, with its main facility located in Auckland

CLIENT REQUIREMENTS

ProPharma was ready to move away from polystyrene in pursuit of a more sustainable and compliant cold chain solution. Their needs were clear:

• Strict Cold Chain Compliance – Maintain 2-8°C for up to 36 hours.
• Sustainability – Transition to a fully recyclable and reusable system.
• Ease of Disposal – Packaging had to be easy for local family pharmacies to dispose of or reuse.
• Reusable Componentry – Both insulation and coolant elements had to be recyclable and durable enough for reuse.
• Multi-Site Supply Model – Required efficient distribution of various packaging components to multiple sites across the country.
• Inventory Support – Thermogard to provide a tailored stock and supply model to streamline logistics

UNIQUE PROJECT CHALLENGES

• Pharmac Compliance – The solution had to meet strict pharmaceutical regulations for shipping government-funded medicines and vaccines, requiring validation and feedback to the Pharmac regulatory team.
• Rigorous Validation Process – Extensive thermal testing and compliance reporting were necessary to ensure full regulatory approval.
• Training & Process Change – The rollout required hands-on training with packing teams at each site, supported by Thermogard-developed SOPs and detailed packing instructions.

THERMOGARD SOLUTION

Thermogard developed a fully recyclable and reusable cold chain packaging system tailored to ProPharma’s operational model:

• Recyclable Cardboard Outer – A sturdy and sustainable shell replacing polystyrene boxes.
• Custom Bubble Backed 750g and 1kg Gel Packs – Enhanced thermal retention, designed to maintain stable temperatures throughout the required shipping window.
• Recycled Cardboard Dividers – Slowed down energy transfer from gel packs, improving thermal control.
• EnviroFoil Pouch – A recyclable, reusable layer providing additional insulation and product protection.
• On-Site SOP Support – Detailed packing instructions and training delivered directly to distribution centre teams.

END RESULT

ProPharma successfully transitioned away from polystyrene, adopting a fully sustainable, compliant cold chain solution across all eight of its distribution centres. The new system aligned with both operational needs and Pharmac standards, while also reducing environmental impact.

Thermogard’s multi-site supply model and on-the-ground support enabled a smooth implementation, empowering ProPharma to lead the way in responsible cold chain logistics across New Zealand.