CSafe Announces Plans for First Frozen Active Temperature-Controlled Container
To address the rapid growth of mRNA vaccines and in preparation for the commercialization of cell and gene therapies, CSafe has developed an active bulk air cargo container that can maintain -20°C. CSafe, the largest provider of a complete range of active and passive temperature-controlled shipping solutions for the pharmaceutical industry, announced today that the company will expand its active bulk air cargo container portfolio to integrate a new -20°C temperature setpoint for the CSafe RKN.
New -20°C Temperature Setpoint for CSafe RKN
The company will begin offering CSafe RKNs with the new frozen temperature setpoint on the control panel early next year. The CSafe RKN design requires minimal adjustment to accommodate the new -20°C temperature setpoint, limiting the need for additional customer training to take advantage of the new temperate profile. CSafe RKNs with the -20°C setpoint capability will be available for lease in early 2024.
Regarding the engineering behind this innovation, CSafe Chief Operating Officer, Tom Weir, stated: “Our engineering team designed our RKN in a way that we could easily add frozen temperature setpoints in the future.” Every CSafe RKN is built with patented high-performance VIP insulation and an innovative air recirculation system that envelops the entire payload.
Key Features and Shipment Visibility
The CSafe RKN includes the following advanced capabilities:
- Predictive and real-time analysis pre- and post-shipment to assess lane risk based on external data sources, such as flight tracking, inclement weather, etc.
- Total visibility to conditional data in addition battery level percentage and door open/close events.
- Sustainable design providing a lower energy active system to maintain optimum performance.
- Optimal footprint for all wide-bodied aircraft, ground transportation and warehouse operations.
Technical Specifications and Performance
The RKN is the only compressor-driven refrigeration unit with precise temperature management of +4°C to +25°C. Combined with an industry-leading preventive maintenance rebuild program and support from our global service network, these technologies and service programs have delivered reliable temperature control and exceptional battery life for 15 years. The battery life is over 100 hours at +25°C and, because there is no dry ice, there are no special handling charges or charges for hazardous goods. Furthermore, the CSafe RKN is certified by the FAA, EASA, Transport Canada, Hong Kong CAD, Irish Aviation Authority and Australian CASA.
Comparison of Active and Passive Solutions
CSafe offers a variety of solutions, including the RAP multi-pallet active container and the Softbox VIP parcel shipper. Below is a summary of the capabilities provided by these shipping solutions:
| Solution Type | Key Characteristics | Payload Capacity / Temperature Ranges |
|---|---|---|
| CSafe RKN (Active) | Compressor-driven refrigeration; 100+ hour battery life. | +4°C to +25°C (Expanding to -20°C in 2024). |
| CSafe RAP (Active) | Multi-pallet container with 10 temperature sensors. | 4 standard US pallets or 5 standard Euro pallets. |
| Softbox VIP (Passive) | Best-in-class VIP insulation; reusable carton design. | 6 sizes (5L to 56L); +2°C to +8°C, +15°C to +25°C, -25°C to -15°C, and <-60°C. |
The RAP Multi-Pallet Solution
The RAP container is a multi-pallet active temperature-controlled container (TCC) featuring superior VIP insulation and integrated data logger for real time shipment visibility. It maintains precise payload temperature in extreme ambient temperatures (-30 C to +54 C). The large cargo chamber includes wide-opening twin doors for easy cargo access and an intuitive easy-to-use control panel to minimize user training time and effort.
High-Performance Parcel Shippers
As an extension to the portfolio, the Softbox VIP is a high-performance single-use and multi-use parcel solution. It provides extended hold times for 96+ and 120+ hours. A dual wall extended duration VIP box option provides hold times to 240 hour with a 14L payload size. Integration with single use, multi-use data loggers and real-time devices from the TracSafe portfolio ensures visibility to conditional data through a parcel viewing window and via CSafe Connect.