Maintaining exact temperature control for specialty products, such as medicines, organs, tissue samples and blood-products, is a big challenge for shipping companies–one that can actually be a matter of life and death. Now a new heat-stabilizing technology developed by a Canadian engineering firm makes it easier to guarantee the safe arrival of critical shipments.
In 1999 Ted Malach of Calgary-based Intermed Engineering invented a unique packaging “phase change” material that can maintain a restricted temperature range for up to 72 hours. It’s also reusable, nontoxic and meets all transportation regulations.
Intermed Engineering approached University Technologies International—the technology transfer and commercialization arm of the University of Calgary—to help commercialize the product.
As a result of their efforts, the technology was licensed in 2001 to Saf-T-Pak and trademarked as Saf-TTemp™. Saf-T-Pak, an international company based in Edmonton, Canada, develops and markets packaging materials that meet the regulatory requirements for transporting infectious substances by global organizations such as the United Nations and the International Air Transport Association. Saf-T-Pak is also exploring the possible use of this unique material for shipping sensitive electronic equipment. It may also be beneficial in the production of clothing and building materials.
This story was originally published in 2008.
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