Veritiv, a major player in the distribution of specialty packaging and supply chain solutions, has introduced an innovative addition to its cold chain logistics offerings: TempSafe PalletShield, the industry’s first pre-qualified pallet carrier built with curbside recyclable components. This new product marks a significant advancement in sustainable packaging for biopharmaceutical and temperature-sensitive shipping, reflecting the industry’s growing demand for performance that does not compromise environmental responsibility.
Cold chain logistics has long relied on materials such as expanded polystyrene (EPS) and polyurethane foam (PUR) to protect products such as vaccines, biologics, and other high-value therapies. While effective at preserving temperature, these traditional materials often end up in landfills and carry disposal costs that add to supply chain overhead.
TempSafe PalletShield aims to replace that paradigm by combining validated thermal performance with a fiber-based design that can be recycled curbside, when local facilities allow, significantly reducing waste from bulk shipments.
Designed to withstand the most demanding temperature-controlled distribution channels, the PalletShield system offers more than five days of validated thermal protection, accommodates a payload volume of 558 to 596 liters and holds more than 300 pounds of dry ice. Its patent-pending design includes interlocking panels that minimize edge loss and help maintain both structural integrity and consistent thermal performance over long distances and multiple stops. This makes it suitable for use in life sciences, healthcare and specialized logistics operations where accuracy and compliance are essential.
From the start of the project, the Veritiv team aimed to match or exceed the performance of traditional materials while making the system intuitive and scalable for operations teams on the floor. According to Frank Butch, director of Cold Chain Solutions at Veritiv, the result is a carrier that not only performs well in real-world conditions but also scales with the complexity of modern cold chain networks. “Our goal from day one was to design a recyclable pallet conveyor that performs equally or better than traditional materials while still remaining intuitive for teams on the floor,” he said.
Chris Bradley, director of marketing and sustainability at Veritiv, said the launch directly responds to market requests for solutions that bridge the gap between thermal assurance and environmental responsibility. He emphasized that PalletShield expands the company’s TempSafe portfolio, which already includes a range of curbside recyclable solutions for different shipment sizes and temperature profiles. Bradley described the new carrier as built for “real operating pressures,” reinforcing Veritiv’s commitment to helping customers reduce waste, simplify packaging and eliminate disposal costs traditionally associated with cold chain packaging.