The partnership between DHL and SkyCell is entering a new phase. What began with DHL Freight in Belgium is now being continued at DGF in Brazil. Colleagues there are now also working with the pharmaceutical cooling‑container manufacturer.
Together, DHL Global Forwarding Brazil and SkyCell are expanding into the South American pharmaceutical market. SkyCell is a company that protects high-value pharmaceutical products in global transport by providing reusable hybrid temperature controlled containers, tracking software and risk management services, while significantly reducing the cold chain’s carbon footprint. The units maintain a temperature of two to eight degrees Celsius for up to 270 hours – without electricity or dry ice – ensuring the cold chain remains unbroken.
This is how the containers are structured
The containers comprise a replaceable outer skin on an aluminum frame with a plastic liner. They are also equipped with two inner doors and one outer one. Key to the container technology is the temperature-controlling phase change material (PCM) behind the plastic liner.
DHL and SkyCell have had a close partnership for years. In Mechelen, Belgium, DHL Freight has operated a facility since seven years where SkyCell containers are cleaned, serviced, repaired when needed, and cooled in the heart of the site – a chamber set at minus 20 degrees Celsius. Afterwards, the containers are stored at two to eight degrees Celsius until they are ready for use.
Expansion into South America
Building on this successful collaboration, SkyCell is now extending the same service model into the South American market – with DHL again at its side. Led by Felipe Vallini, Head of Transport, DGF Brazil, and Augusto Nakazawa, Head of Business Development, DGF Brazil, the new service center is located just five kilometers from Sao Paolo’s airport Guarulhos. The facility operates under DGF’s Integrated Warehouse Solutions (IWS) product, with services contracted through subcontractors.
As in Belgium, containers are cleaned, repaired, pre-conditioned, and prepared for their journeys. From the airport, pharmaceutical companies ship their products using these temperature‑controlled units.
“The training sessions went very well,” says Nakazawa. “Our team of five aims to process 20 containers per day, and we expect this number to grow quickly. We anticipate a tenfold increase in container volume within a year.”
Brazil – a major pharma market
DGF already serves pharmaceutical customers – such as Novo Nordisk – and expects the collaboration with SkyCell to attract additional Life Sciences & Healthcare clients. “Brazil is one of the world’s largest and fastest‑growing pharma markets. And for any LSH customer we win, having SkyCell as a partner gives us an advantage because we can immediately offer the right temperature-controlled containers. It’s a win‑win for everyone,” says Vallini.
Christopher Allen, Regional Senior Operations Manager Americas at SkyCell, was also on site for the training and adds: “Brazil is a heavyweight in the global pharma market, with strong import volumes and a rapidly growing export industry. With this growth comes rising demand for reliable, temperature‑controlled solutions for international pharmaceutical transport. That’s why it’s so important for us to have a local presence.”
With Belgium and Brazil performing strongly, SkyCell continues to assess further network expansions, including potential opportunities with DHL. This aligns seamlessly with DHL’s strategy: the Group aims to grow in Life Sciences & Healthcare and will invest two billion euros in healthcare logistics by 2030.
Interview
At SkyCell, Paulo Baumgartner oversees supplier management and procurement. In this interview, he explains why the company is expanding into South America and how reliable logistics support this growth.
What are your expectations for the new warehouse in Brazil?
Our goal remains the same: to provide our customers with the best possible service. Expanding into Brazil is essential to better support our customers throughout Latin America. With our own warehouse in São Paulo, we expect shorter lead times, better planning, and a more stable supply setup overall. All of this will improve service quality across the region.
Do you plan further expansion in Brazil or Latin America?
We see strong potential across Latin America’s pharmaceutical markets. For now, our focus is on establishing stable operations in Brazil and demonstrating clear value for our customers. Once we have a better understanding of long-term demand and operational requirements, we will assess whether additional locations in Brazil or elsewhere in the region could further improve service quality and support customer growth.
What does the region need most?
The region needs above all reliable processes, precise temperature management, and local availability. Infrastructure, climate conditions, and complex regulatory requirements create significant challenges, so customers value solutions that are robust, dependable, and supported locally. From our conversations with customers, we know that stability, reliable performance, and regional presence are essential. This is where our innovative container technology, combined with our global network, can make a real difference.
How is the collaboration with DHL?
For us, partnership is the driving force behind effective supply chains. DHL brings deep local expertise, strong operational capabilities, and decades of experience in pharmaceutical logistics. Communication is open and efficient in both directions, and our teams have been closely aligned from the start on quality expectations and service standards. Our shared commitment to supporting the pharmaceutical industry makes this collaboration especially strong. We already work successfully with DHL Freight in Belgium, and both companies place great importance on operational excellence – so expanding our partnership was simply the next logical step.
