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The chemical industry is an important sector in the global economy, and it is one of the key sectors of the Spanish economy. In our country, more than 3,000 companies are dedicated to this activity, with a turnover of more than 75,000 million euros, and generate over 700,000 direct and indirect jobs.
It is a sector that generates a large volume of logistical operations. Due to the delicate nature of the products and raw materials, it works with many peculiarities.
Types of Chemical Products for Transportation
When we talk about chemical logistics, we refer to a wide variety of goods with which numerous industries operate. Some of the main ones are the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, manufacturers of cleaning products, agrochemicals, and so on.
From a logistical perspective, the key is to differentiate which goods are classified as dangerous. In this case, the regulations and controls to which the entire logistics operation must be subjected are much higher and can vary significantly between various countries.
The chemical product trading company must provide mandatory information regarding its dangerousness, toxicological and physicochemical characteristics, and conditions of use.
Particularities of Chemical Product Transportation
In chemical logistics, the safe storage and transportation for people and the environment becomes even more important.
Throughout the process of production, distribution, and commercialization, the chemical industry may require services ranging from specialized warehousing services for dangerous goods as well as the transportation of liquid and bulk raw materials. At all stages, there are special legal restrictions for chemicals. For example, in the case of bulk products, the authorized means of transport are subject to strict legislation.
Today, companies such as Noatum Logistics offer integrated solutions for the chemical industry that include specialized transportation equipment and customized logistics.
The Peculiarity of Pharmaceutical Logistics
According to EU guidelines for good practices in the distribution of medicines, pharmaceutical product manufacturers must ensure end-to-end compliance with regulations throughout the entire supply chain. And the requirements are becoming increasingly demanding in terms of the allowable temperature range, hygiene standards, and continuous monitoring.
In the case of the pharmaceutical industry, safety becomes even more important because of the implications that any irregularity could have on patient health. It is vital to trace each chain link to ensure safety.
For example, many drugs are now produced from heat-sensitive biotech products and require logistics that scrupulously maintain the cold chain. Specified temperatures must be maintained and documented throughout transport and storage.
Other crucial aspects to consider are monitoring and traceability to prevent theft or counterfeiting. Each pharmaceutical package must have a unique identifier to allow for identification and authentication, as well as a device to prevent the manipulation of drugs.
As in all sectors, the pharmaceutical supply chain has become globalized. Asian countries such as India produce active ingredients that are transformed into drugs in Europe and marketed worldwide. Transport is carried out by air or sea, in refrigerated containers.
Regarding air transport, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has created the CEIV Pharma certification (Center of Excellence for Independent Validators in Pharmaceutical Logistics). This standard covers the entire chain and includes transhipment points (warehouses, parking areas, etc.).
At Noatum Logistics, we offer transportation solutions for the chemical industry, including special transport equipment and customized logistics for both domestic and international transport.
Sources:
https://milestonelog.com/las-peculiaridades-de-la-logistica-quimica/
Additional sources:
https://www.investinspain.org/content/icex-invest/es/sectors/chemistry.html
https://www.noatumlogistics.com/us/es/logistica-industria-quimica/
https://www.aemps.gob.es/industria/distribucion_medicamentos/BPD-UE/home.htm
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