Reinforcing cold chain infrastructure to meet growing needs

Vikas Taneja, Business Chief for Cold Chain at Panasonic Life Solutions India,
highlights the commitment to reduce carbon footprints by providing energyefficient,
eco-friendly refrigeration solutions tailored for the cold chain industry,
leveraging IoT, sustainable refrigerants, and advanced compressor technology.

What is your outlook on cold storage and warehousing market growth in India?

The cold storage industry is driven by increased demand for perishable goods, government initiatives, and technological advancements. Presently valued at around $7.2 billion in 2022, the industry in India is projected to reach $36 billion by 2027.

India is one of the largest producers of food grains, milk, horticulture produce, meat and meat products. There is a need for a mature cold chain to safely stock, preserve and distribute perishable products with minimal wastage. The Government of India is placing significant focus on cold chain development. The Indian cold chain industry can still be considered at the initial stage since there are gaps in existing infrastructure vs. requirements. The issue of food waste is concerning due to the need for appropriate and effective cold storage. The Bharatmal Pariyojna, India’s ambitious highway and rod infrastructure development programs will positively affect the cold chain industry. It relies on efficient transportation for temperature-sensitive projects.  We are already seeing significant private sector investments happening in cold chain logistics. Also, with changing purchasing habits and perishables consumption, there is increasing demand for Cold Chain in last-mile and mid-mile storage and distribution.

What features can create environmentally friendly cold chain/ storage facilities?

Across the cold chain industry, companies must consider the carbon footprint while investing in the infrastructure. These would run for more than ten years. For a cold chain to qualify as a Green Cold Chain, it should have features or implement solutions that reduce the carbon footprint compared to conventional solutions. This can be achieved through alternative cooling technologies, i.e., the much more energy-efficient solutions. Use green refrigerants like R290/ R744 and provide solutions that do not need active refrigeration during transport.  For example, some of our best-in-class refrigerated retail solutions are up to 60 percent more energy efficient. The uses of the cold chain need to increasingly look at Life cycle cost and not just upfront capex.

What makes Panasonic’s P-Series cabinets and CO2 Transcritical systems energy-efficient for cold storage?

Panasonic and Hussmann are among the leading Cold Chain solution providers in APAC & US. Our award-winning P-Series is known for its energy-efficient and eco-friendly design, prioritising People, Planet, and Performance. Meticulous attention is paid to design aesthetics, energy, and sustainability, as well as reducing installation, service, and maintenance costs. The P Series was developed to have the lowest possible total cost of ownership. The cabinets in these systems utilise refrigerants with low global warming potential (GWP), aligning with environmental regulations and reducing the carbon footprint associated with refrigeration. These multi-deck units incorporate cutting-edge technologies like Case Connect IoT and air guide systems. These innovations reduce energy consumption and operational costs.

Our CO2 transcritical units align with our environmental vision of reducing the carbon footprint.  CO2 is an environmentally friendly solution, with zero 0DP and GWP (Global Warming Potential) =1, a natural substance in the atmosphere. Panasonic 2-stage rotary compressor delivers powerful performance while the ‘Split cycle’ enhances the cooling effect. It also has a Heat recovery function for heating, which offers refrigeration combined with heating in one system. The ground-breaking solution allows for increased opportunity to cut running costs by utilising exhausted heat from refrigeration and transferring it to the energy source for heating.

Which factors can optimise material handling and storage processes within the supply chain?

With the advent of technological advancements, material handling and storage processes can be optimised. A few of them are mentioned herein. Implementing AI and ML-enabled smart sensors allows monitoring of environmental conditions within storage units. It ensures that temperature and humidity levels remain optimal, reducing the risk of spoilage.

Advancements in last-mile delivery technologies are vital. The biggest challenge for quick online deliveries is to deliver small quantities on time while maintaining product integrity and quality. It needs efficient mid-mile and last-mile storage and delivery solutions. Panasonic Cold Roll Box (CRB) is a unique yet efficient solution. It is an “on the go” refrigerated logistic box. It helps logistics companies distribute products based on specific temperature requirements. One can transport multiple CRBs at different temperatures in a single non-refrigerated vehicle or smaller batches of produce in smaller vehicles. These do not require charging or active cooling as they keep the product fresh for many hours through pre-cooled gel packs.

Sustainable logistic practices include incorporating renewable energy into cold storage facilities. They can improve sustainability while lowering operational costs over time. Besides, transitioning to natural refrigerants with lower global warming potential helps reduce the environmental impact of cold storage operations.

Another technology advancement is data analytics for predictive maintenance. AI-powered real-time data analytics is changing cold chain logistics by providing predictive insights and enabling proactive issue identification. This shift from reactive to proactive management will optimise transport conditions for perishable goods, reduce waste, and enhance overall efficiency.

What role does Case Connect play in improving the energy savings of multi-deck refrigerated units?

CaseConnect™ is our new Plug & Play innovative technology. It integrates IoT sensors into refrigerated cases and advanced cloud technology for energy savings, proactive maintenance, compliance and retail customer engagement. From preventative maintenance and energy saving to marketing insights, Case Connect will revolutionise how one imagines refrigeration.

The technology allows for real-time monitoring and management of temperature and humidity levels. It ensures ideal storage conditions while optimising energy use based on actual demand rather than fixed settings. It can send instant alerts to operators if any parameters deviate from set thresholds, allowing for quick corrective actions to maintain product integrity. Case Connect optimises energy consumption based on usage patterns. For example, it can adjust cooling levels during off-peak hours or when the store is closed, significantly reducing energy costs. These features collectively reduce operational costs and improve product quality in cold storage applications.

What advantages do your Arch Plus self-contained storage units offer for large-scale refrigeration applications?

Panasonic’s Arch Plus self-contained storage units are advanced refrigeration solutions for commercial applications like supermarkets and hypermarkets. These are ideal for merchandising applications requiring ease of installation, flexibility in usage and minimum space utilisation. That adds to delivering the refrigeration with high energy efficiency and maximising the showcased area for impact purchases. These are combi units wherein the customer can choose to set it or change the chiller or freezer application independently for each unit based on their need. They do not need typical refrigerant piping for outdoor condensing units, reducing the refrigerant required. With variable-speed compressors, the energy efficiency is maximised.   These units contribute to a more sustainable cold chain operation utilising eco-friendly refrigerants and technologies. These align with global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

How do you align sustainability and energy efficiency in cold chain solutions to reduce energy consumption?

In January 2022, Panasonic launched its environmental vision, Panasonic GREEN IMPACT (PGI), based on the belief that global environmental challenges, including climate change, are the most pressing global issues to prioritise across all divisions. Under this initiative, it aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030 and create an impact that reduces CO2 emissions by at least 300 million tons, equivalent to approximately 1 percent of current global CO2 emissions, by 2050.

Across the Cold Chain industry, companies must consider the carbon footprint while investing in the infrastructure to run for more than 10 years. Panasonic Cold Chain offers multiple sustainable solutions in this direction in the form of high-efficiency inverter technology refrigeration equipment, usage of eco-friendly refrigerants with Zero ODP and low GWP potential, and low energy consumption retail refrigerated showcase solutions that are in line with our vision.

How was the Refcold 2024 from the perspective of Panasonic?

Refcold 2024 is South Asia’s premier refrigeration and cold chain exhibition focused on refrigeration, cold chain, and allied industries. It serves as a platform for industry professionals, manufacturers, suppliers, and policymakers to come together and showcase their products, technologies, and services. By showcasing our products at the exhibition, we could connect with key customers from food retail, refrigerated warehousing, cold storage, agricultural, dairy and pharma industries. We garnered valuable insights to help us better improve solutions further.