Merck KGaA announced the launch of a pilot for the "Greener Cooler:" a more sustainable alternative for cold chain shipments of its life science products. Expanded polystyrene (EPS), also known as styrofoam, is currently the industry standard for cold chain shipment of life science products, due to the high insulation properties of EPS. However, as EPS is petroleum-based, it is difficult to recycle, posing a significant challenge to customers' sustainability goals and to the environment.

This pilot has begun at one of the company's U.S. distribution centers, with plans to expand to other major U.S. distribution centers in early 2023. These Greener Coolers will replace over 60.1 metric tons of EPS shipped from these U.S. distribution centers each year.