Multi-Use Pharma Logistics

Relevance

As pharmaceutical supply chains expand through the growth of biologics, vaccines, and advanced therapies, reusable packaging systems and transport assets are becoming increasingly important. However, limited visibility into how these assets circulate across the cold chain, combined with fragmented circular practices and inconsistent emissions reporting, makes it difficult to fully capture their sustainability impact. Addressing these gaps is essential to improving Scope 3 transparency and supporting more sustainable, evidence-based decision-making.

GOAL

This joint project of Pharma.Aero and Smart Freight Center aims to develop a practical, industry-aligned framework to improve the visibility, measurement, and management of circular packaging and asset flows in pharmaceutical cold chain transport. By advancing emissions accounting, clarifying stakeholder responsibilities, and promoting best practices aligned with ISO 14083 and GLEC principles, the initiative will support more transparent, efficient, and sustainable supply chains.

Circular packaging and asset management in pharmaceutical cold chain logistics, illustrating reusable transport assets, emissions measurement, and sustainable supply chain practices.

Project Objectives

Objective 1: Circularity Mapping, Evidence & Gap Analysis (WP1)

Establish a baseline understanding of packaging and transport assets across the circular economy spectrum, and identify existing gaps.

Objective 2: Circular Flow Mapping & Emissions Accounting (WP2)

Develop structured and parameterised models of packaging and asset circulation flows supporting transparent accounting aligned with ISO 14083 and GLEC principles.

Objective 3: Circular System Performance & Optimisation Analysis (WP3)

Evaluate the operational, environmental, and economic performance of current circular packaging and asset management systems and identify opportunities for improvement.

Objective 4: Framework Development & Validation for Packaging & Asset Circularity (WP4)

Develop and validate an industry-aligned framework that integrates circular economy principles, emissions accounting methodologies, operational guidance, stakeholder responsibilities, and best practice.

Objective 5: Industry Guidance, Recommendations & Implementation Roadmap (WP5)

Consolidate project findings into practical guidance, recommendations, and implementation pathways.

Timeline

JUNE - SEP



Circularity Mapping, Evidence & Gap Analysis

AUG - OCT

SEP - NOV

OCT - DEC

DEC - FEB 2027



Circular Flow Mapping & Emissions Accounting



Circular System Performance & Optimisation Analysis



Framework Development & Validation for Packaging & Asset Circularity



Industry Guidance, Recommendations & Implementation Roadmap



PROJECT
SUPPORT AND
COLLABORATION.

Pharma.Aero & Smart Freight Center

Pharma.Aero

Board Liaison: Liew Zhong Yao (Changi Airport Group)
Project Leads: Ruud van der Geer (MSD), Gergely Szorcsik (Zoetis)
Internal Strategic Expert: Frank Van Gelder, Pharma.Aero
Project Expert (External): Céline Crahay – 3CeL Consulting
Project Manager: Sara Van Lerberghe

Smart Freight Center

Andrea Dorothea Schoen, Julie Branche-Chucri, Gabriel von Müller
Michael Hegglin – SkyCell AG
Florence Lehec – EMBALL’ISO
Sreedevi Rajagopalan
Linus Wollentz – Envirotainer
Pernilla Sörme – My Green Lab
Patricia F. Varela – International Air Transport Association (IATA)

Looking for the
technical paper for
this project?

Become a Member