Why Lane Security Comes Before Sustainability in Packaging Selection

Efficiency and security matters more than just sustainability in cold chain packaging decisions, according to David Frouin, senior vice president, vertical market healthcare at GEODIS.

Speaking with Pharmaceutical Commerce at LogiPharma USA 2026, where he joined the panel "Reinventing Cold Chain Packaging & Technology: Smarter Systems for a More Predictable and Sustainable Future," Frouin acknowledges the ranking may surprise some. His reasoning is that a failed shipment is itself less sustainable, since it can destroy cargo that is often high value. Sustainability is part of how a solution is designed, he notes, but securing the lane comes first.

From there, priorities depend on the lane. For global, large-volume shipments on an identified, recurring lane, Frouin generally recommends passive packaging. Specialty, high-value products and riskier lanes may rely on active containers.

Looking ahead, Frouin notes that companies across the industry have been working on new technology and materials, such as paper covers, reusable packaging and lighter containers. In his view, the trend to watch is the ability to adjust the shipping scheme itself, through what Frouin describes as a full corridor: consolidating cargo on one continent to deliver and dispatch on another, using passive protection with a simple thermal blanket over the cargo rather than active containers.

Watch Frouin’s previous interview installment:

1. GEODIS’ David Frouin on Qualifying Cold Chain Packaging for Every Lane