Here’s how Thermo King aims to decarbonise the food cold chain

Article written by Claudio Zanframundo, president Thermo King EMEA Truck, Trailer, Bus and Global Marine, Rail, Air

According to some studies, poor cold chain infrastructure could be responsible for up to 620 million tonnes of food loss, or 1.8 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent annually. At the same time, around 4% of global greenhouse gases are attributable to the cold chain highlighting the urgent need for a more sustainable approach to preserving and transporting perishable goods.

Trane Technologies brand Thermo King designed AxlePower, quite an innovative technology for trailer refrigeration units recovers energy from the vehicle during braking or going downhill, stores it in battery packs and reuses it to power the refrigeration unit, without impacting the truck’s fuel consumption. (here’s something more about the AxlePower system).

Thermo King: digitalization for the food cold chain

Moreover, digital technologies also play a crucial role in optimising cold chain processes and reducing emissions. Advanced telematics and monitoring systems provide real-time visibility into the entire cold chain, enabling quick identification and resolution of issues that can lead to energy waste. By leveraging data-driven insights, stakeholders can streamline processes, eliminate inefficiencies, and ultimately decrease the carbon footprint of the cold chain.

Trane Technologies is determined to pursue sustainability commitments by 2030, including the gigaton challenge to reduce greenhouse gases generated by customers by 1 billion metric tonnes by the same year. A reduction that is equivalent to 2% of the world’s annual emissions or the total annual emissions of France, Italy and the UK.

It’s also important to mention that electrification of the cold chain and transport refrigeration also requires some policy adjustments to ensure the regulatory framework provides the necessary incentives for zero-emission technologies. Additional weight from installing electrification equipment in vehicles, for example, should not be included in the overall vehicle weight. Doing so, only serves to penalise freight operators who would have to reduce their payload to compensate for the weight of the battery and other components.

The need to be supported by EU regulators

Moreover, electrified refrigeration systems should be included in the scope of all incentive schemes made available by EU Member States for electric light and heavy-duty vehicles. A favourable policy framework in this space could enable the EU to eliminate over 10 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emitted annually by transport refrigeration systems alone.

Key standardised metrics such as reduced emissions from electricity, fuel and refrigerants provide a clear picture of the improvements achieved. Regular monitoring and reporting on progress in reducing emissions are crucial for promoting accountability, benchmarking and continuous improvement.

Collaboration is also key to measuring progress and driving systemic change in the food cold chain. Governments, industry leaders, and consumers must work together to accelerate the transition to a low-emission system. Policy frameworks, financial incentives, and awareness campaigns can all help drive the adoption of sustainable technologies and practices. Cross-industry partnerships can foster the development of holistic solutions that cover the entire food supply chain from farm to fork.

A promising approach is the introduction of circular economy principles in the food cold chain. By developing products and processes that minimise waste, maximise resource efficiency, and enable the reuse and recycling of materials, the environmental impact of the cold chain can be reduced while creating new business opportunities.