Now, ‘freezer farms’ for potential Covid-19 vaccine delivery

UPS is building capacity for -80°C storage; DHL expands in Indianapolis

Pharma logistics providers have long experience in cold chain management—generally, keeping pharmaceuticals at 2-8°C during storage and shipment. The push in recent years for cellular and genetic therapies, which can involve live cells, has created a growing need for so-called deep-frozen storage: -80°C or even -180°C (requiring liquid nitrogen). Now, it appears that at least some of the coming capacity surge for Covid-19 vaccines will require deep-frozen as well.

According to a recent Bloomberg News story, UPS is building “freezer farms” in Venlo, Netherlands and Louisville, KY (both near UPS air hubs) featuring banks of -80°C freezers (see photo). The farms will contain a total of 600 freezers that can each hold 48,000 vials of vaccine, according to Bloomberg News. Additional freezer capacity will be installed in South America, Germany and the UK.

Source: Pharmaceutical Commerce

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