DHL launches new temperature-sensitive air freight service

June 24, 2013

DHL, one of the leaders in global logistics has announced the launch of DHL Thermonet, an air freight network designed to securely transport temperature-sensitive shipments. It announced the network in a white paper exploring the trends of future Life Sciences logistics.

The network will provide better visibility as standard with 24 hour monitoring and intervention using SmartSensor RFID technology. DHL is currently implementing the system into more than 30 Life Sciences centres around the world with further network expansion planned.

The SmartSensor technology monitors the temperature of the shipment while in transport and automatically uploads it to a web platform where users can monitor the progress of their goods.

President of Life Science and Healthcare for DHL Customer Solutions and Innovation Angelos Orfanos commented: “The current situation within the Life Sciences and Healthcare market faces an increasingly regulated environment demanding a higher level of service and compliance. DHL Thermonet will enhance our cold chain activities and expand our market leading capabilities.”

Temperature sensitive products currently make up over a quarter of global pharmaceutical sales and its expected that this is an area of growth as the industry shifts to biotech and speciality drugs which rely on a temperature sensitive networking solution.

The Thermonet service will be rolled out in 2014 to DHL’s network of Life Science Competence Centre, which will be certified through an internal audit process. A training programme has also been launched to ensure a standard of knowledge throughout DHL’s network.