-- New insulated shippers ensure 2-8 degrees C protection for pharmaceuticals and other high-value biologics for a minimum of two days

MALLOW, Ireland, Sept. 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Sonoco ThermoSafe, a unit of Sonoco (NYSE: SON) and the leading global provider of temperature assurance packaging, has launched the new Aeris Series of pre-qualified shippers to maintain pharmaceuticals, biologics, vaccines and other high-value products between 2- 8 degrees C during transport. Developed specifically to address upcoming European GDP (good distribution practice) regulations, the Aeris Series of shippers will be manufactured at Sonoco ThermoSafe's facilities in Germany and Ireland.

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"We are excited to launch the first in a series of pre-qualified shippers specifically for the European market," said Niall Lehane, general manager, Sonoco ThermoSafe Europe. "The Aeris Series addresses our customers' need for pre-qualified shippers to meet strict European GDP regulations. Our customers choose Sonoco ThermoSafe for our high quality and the reassurance that their pharmaceuticals will maintain their efficacy through the entire supply chain. Now, they can locally source pre-qualified solutions with the same quality Sonoco ThermoSafe is known for."

The Aeris Series consists of four sizes ranging from 2.5 litres to 24 litres.  The systems are optimized to have the lowest possible weight with the fewest components. This translates to simple and fast assembly as well as the lowest total cost of ownership for our customers.  The Aeris Series is prequalified to our real world ISCsilver^® ambient profile and will maintain the payload's temperature between 2- 8 degrees C for a minimum of 54 hours.

Sonoco ThermoSafe is the leading global provider of temperature assurance packaging for the safe and efficient transport of pharmaceuticals, biologics, vaccines and other temperature sensitive products. Sonoco ThermoSafe shipping solutions mitigate risk for our customers and ensure product efficacy throughout the extremes of a supply chain. With operations in North America, Europe, Asia and South America, the Company has a vast product offering featuring industry leading technology that encompasses refrigerated, frozen or controlled room temperature applications. In addition, Sonoco ThermoSafe's ISC Labs^® design and testing services deliver individualized and innovative packaging solutions along with qualification and validation services to meet all regulatory requirements. More information can be found on www.thermosafe.com.

About Sonoco 
Founded in 1899, Sonoco is a global provider of a variety of consumer packaging, industrial products, protective packaging and packaging supply chain services. With annualized net sales of approximately $4.8 billion, the Company has more than 19,900 employees working in 347 operations in 34 countries, serving many of the world's best-known brands in some 85 nations. Sonoco is a proud member of the 2012/2013 Dow Jones Sustainability World Index. For more information on the Company, visit our website at sonoco.com.

SOURCE Sonoco