Sonoco ThermoSafe® Launches Envoy® CRT Series of Pre-Qualified Shippers

-- New insulated shippers ensure 15-25 degrees C protection for pharmaceuticals and other high-value biologics for a minimum of two days

MALLOW, Ireland, Jan. 27, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Sonoco ThermoSafe, a unit of Sonoco (NYSE:SON) and the leading global provider of temperature assurance packaging, has launched controlled room temperature (CRT) versions of its popular Envoy Series of pre-qualified shippers. The Envoy Series is a proven solution for maintaining pharmaceuticals, biologics, vaccines and other high-value products within a specified temperature range during transport.  The addition of the 15-25 degrees C (CRT) temperature range specifically addresses the recently implemented European GDP (good distribution practice) regulations. With the addition of the CRT range, the Envoy Series now offers a complete suite of solutions for frozen, refrigerated and CRT shipping applications.

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"Our customers are now required to ship room temperature drugs in a temperature controlled shipper," said Niall Lehane, general manager, Sonoco ThermoSafe Europe. "This extension to Envoy shippers provides our customers with the assurance they need to conform to regulations at an economical price point. Furthermore, the products initially will be available from our Mallow, Ireland, and Duren, Germany facilities. Availability from additional global sites is part of our future plans."

The Envoy CRT Series currently consists of four sizes ranging from 4.5 litres to 40 litres, with additional sizes to be added. All Envoy shipping systems are pre-qualified to Sonoco ThermoSafe's real-world ISCsilver® ambient profile to ensure compliance to GDP regulations. Additionally, the shippers will maintain the payload's temperature between 15-25 degrees C for a minimum of two days.

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 2013/2014 Dow Jones Sustainability World Index. For more information on the Company, visit our website at sonoco.com.