Cold Chain infrastructure seeks environment-friendly, sustainable solutions

Efficiency is required regarding running costs for climate-controlled storage and delivering the last mile.

Untapped opportunities in the cold chain logistic industry in India
Several opportunities exist in cold chain logistics in India. India is one of the largest producers of food grains, milk, horticulture produce, and meat products. To safely stock, preserve and distribute perishable products with minimal wastage, we need a mature Cold Chain. Even though there is a lot of focus from the Government of India towards Cold Chain development and continuous improvement, the Indian Cold chain industry can still be considered at a nascent stage since there are considerable gaps in existing infrastructure vs the requirements. Food waste is highly concerning due to the need for appropriate and effective cold storage.

Panasonic and Hussmann are among the leading Cold Chain solution providers in APAC & US. We are sensitive to this untapped potential in the farm-to-table food supply chain and the need for an appropriate cold chain. We have customised solutions to cater to address this opportunity.

Online services and new opportunities evolving for cold chain
Some of the key opportunities that are emerging here are:
• Demand for multi temperature flexible cold storage facilities requiring specific product temperature compliance to ensure longer shelf life and high product quality.
• A rise in demand for online e-grocery services of perishable products is mounting pressure to build new distribution networks for on-demand and timely door-to-door deliveries while maintaining product quality and freshness.

Emerging warehouse automation technologies
The biggest challenge for quick online deliveries is delivering small quantities on time while maintaining product integrity and quality. This needs efficient mid-mile and last-mile storage and delivery solutions. Efficiency is required regarding running costs for climate-controlled storage and delivering the last mile.

Panasonic Cold Roll Box (CRB) is one of the unique yet efficient solutions, which is an “on the go” refrigerated logistic box helping logistics companies distribute products based on specific temperature requirements. One can transport multiple CRBs with particular temperatures in a single non-refrigerated vehicle or smaller batches of products in smaller vehicles. These don’t require any charging or active cooling as it maintains the product fresh for many hours through pre-cooled gel packs.

Opportunities to streamline the cold chain industry
There are several emerging opportunities in the Cold Chain infrastructure. These seek environment-friendly, energy efficient, sustainable solutions. Across the Cold Chain industry, it is imperative  for companies also to consider the carbon footprint while investing in the infrastructure since this would be run for more than ten years. Panasonic Cold Chain offers multiple sustainable solutions in this direction: 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.

Tracking equipment and NextGen IoT sensor technologies
Panasonic offers IoT-based controlling of Cold Storages refrigeration systems with electronic expansion valves and Variable Frequency technology. It further enhances consumer savings and offers  better refrigeration controls while ensuring product temperature compliance.

Maintaining food safety and freshness, Panasonic has updated our IoT Sensor  from HusSMART to Case Connect. From preventative maintenance and energy saving to marketing insights, Case  Connect will revolutionise how one imagines refrigeration.

Value-added services
Green Cold chain or Greener Cold Chain would mean implementing solutions that reduce the carbon footprint vs the current conventional solutions. This could be achieved through alternative cooling technologies, i.e., solutions that are much more energy efficient, using Green refrigerants like R290/R744 and also providing solutions that don’t need active refrigeration during
transport. Panasonic Cold chain, along with Hussmann, provides best-in-class refrigerated retail solutions that are up to 40 percent more energy efficient, have Low energy consumption Panasonic Inverter Screw condensing units, cooling solutions with CO2 refrigerant for retail showcases/Cold rooms and Plugin showcases with R290 refrigerant.

Intra-logistics material handling solutions
Panasonic has a unique Cold Roll Box, which offers flexibility and cost efficiency for mid-mile deliveries. For distribution, enterprises can  load multiple CRBs with different temperature requirements in a nonrefrigerated vehicle. The reefer trucks need active refrigeration during transportation. They can transport only  one temperature range type per trip and need a higher load per delivery. On the other hand, the CRB doesn’t require active refrigeration, can be flexible for temperature range and can be used efficiently for smaller lots. These CRBs with revolutionary designs are made with Food Grade SS and can maintain temperatures for up to 48 hrs. for a chill temperature range.