Based in Owen Sound, Ontario, Stevcon Packaging & Logistics Ltd. (Stevcon) was established in 1997 and has become a truly Made-in-Canada Isotope Packaging and Testing Hub. With expertise in providing packaging solutions for industrial companies across Ontario and nationwide, Stevcon has successfully developed certified packaging for medical isotopes that meets nuclear and commercial standards.
While primarily created to serve and assist suppliers to the Bruce Power Major Component Replacement (MCR) Project, Stevcon has expanded its services to offer packaging solutions to additional nuclear applications, including OPG’s Darlington Refurbishment, and other offshore locations. Today, Stevcon is proud to have contributed packaging of major components, spares, and tooling for nuclear reactors in Canada and abroad.
Stevcon’s innovative approach and strategic mindset has allowed for decades of success as a single source for packaging solutions including wood and fibreboard boxes, plastic and steel reusable containers, lead shielding, interior cushioning/dunnage, and labels and stencilling, among others. Stevcon’s services allow for tailor-made packaging solutions to meet each clients’ needs.
Within the medical isotope supply chain, there are several significant challenges associated with packaging and transporting radioactive products. End-users depend on the safe, timely arrival of the isotope products to serve a wide range of needs. Given that isotopes often have short radioactive half-lives, patients rely on the prompt delivery of life-saving diagnostic and therapeutic nuclear medicine products. Using its inventory of standard isotope packaging, Stevcon allows for just-in-time shipping of critical isotopes, ensuring that medical isotopes are delivered to patients on-time and in an uncompromised condition.
Stevcon aims to provide isotope packaging solutions to the medical isotope industry, not just in Canada but around the world. For example, in late August, Stevcon signed a Long-term Supply Agreement with Isotopia in Israel to supply Lutetium-177 Shippers to AtomVie Global Radiopharma at McMaster to transport pharmaceutical-grade products for end-users. Just recently, Stevcon has produced 400 of these approved and tested Medical Isotope Shippers and expect more large orders to follow, which will help connect Canadian patients to life-saving isotope treatments.
Globally, demand for medical isotopes is expected to increase exponentially in the coming years, which presents significant opportunities for Canadian leadership. Canada is already a global leader in the international supply chain, and its domestic isotope ecosystem is home to many world-class experts and isotope producers. The Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council (CNIC), alongside its diverse membership, advocates to expand Canada’s position in the global isotope industry. To meet the growing demand for isotopes, it will be essential to have a robust, fortified supply chain that includes innovative packaging and logistic solutions. As a CNIC member, Stevcon is working to position Canada at the forefront of the isotope sector by strengthening our domestic supply chain through innovation in packaging.