Cold chain supply systems are known to require large amounts of energy (fuel) to keep their
products “cool”, mainly foodstuffs and pharmaceuticals. More so, with an increase in demand
for products and home deliveries, there is a need for sustainable solutions like never before.
When it comes to cold chain transportation, there can be no slips in the storage of
temperature sensitive foodstuff or pharmaceuticals because of the shelf life and risk factors
involved. Cold chain transportation starts right from the primary stage of the warehouse, to
the secondary stage of distributors to the tertiary stage of last mile deliveries. All three stages
require different levels of cooling which means a greater requirement for energy to maintain
these temperatures, which in turn can negatively impact the climate.
The third largest contributors to GHG emissions are food waste contributing 89.74 gigatons
and 70.53 gigatons, respectively. With no effective solutions in place for transportation, there
can be no reduction in food waste. Along with this, refrigeration chemicals are also a huge
contributor to GHG emissions.
So, how can we combat the negative effects for an industry which is the need of the hour?
At Tessol, we take climate change as seriously as high-quality deliveries. While providing
quality services, we also focus on making them sustainable and saving on costs.
In 2018, Tessol was selected as one of the winners of the low carbon technology innovation
project. We work with phase change material cartridges which are temperature controlled
and work well in Indian ambient conditions. This way, we ensure that we reduce food waste
and provide quality deliveries. A vehicle which is about 8.5 to 10 feet long, which relies on
energy to maintain temperatures, would waste up to 1.5 litres of fuel an hour.
With the transportation of vaccines being the next big thing for 2021, it is crucial that we look
into providing sustainable solutions. For the pharma industry, it is estimated the industry
accounts for 4% of GHG emissions. Recyclable solutions such as PCMs are the best way
forward as they are engine and fuel independent and electrically charged at the warehouse.
These can be operational for about 8-12 hours a day and for a total of 96 hours. The PCM
technology can also maintain temperatures required for the vaccine.
The PCM technology also helps lower costs and unlike other conventional refrigeration
systems, it does not have to be located on the vehicle. They have a high volumetric latent
heat capacity, a sharp melting point and are not reactive. As compared to dry ice, PCM
technology does not displace oxygen and the storage containers do not need to be
ventilated.
This being said, our heat exchangers have a few more advantages than the others. They are
PCM liquid filled with a stainless-steel refrigerant coil. This gives us the capability to replicate
any internal temperature requirement across all application ranges.
Final thoughts
Keeping in mind that while necessity is the mother of all invention, sustainability is the need of
the hour and solutions to develop it must be implemented.
