ISSN 2412-7779 REGULARS

INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN

8 16

VOL . 37 - NO . 4 | JULY / AUGUST 2023

18 Continued on 23

REGULARS

3 Editors column 33 Products 34 Buyer ’ s guide 35 Wordsearch

NEWS

5 Creating a sustainable logistics ecosystem to drive down carbon 6 Richard Manning : 5 August 1948 – 20 May 2023

ASSOCIATIONS

7 Navigating challenges and seizing opportunities in the cold chain 8 GCCA Africa Cold Chain Conference

TECHNICAL

9 BITZER and Eurocool help overhaul Groote Schuur Hospital

AUTOMATION & TECHNOLOGY

10 Investing in pallet racking – 10 tips

EVENTS & EXHIBITIONS

12 The future of refrigeration , AC and heat pump technology 15 Eurocool Beerfest 2023 : another hit ! 16 FRIGAIR 2025 will feature the latest in design , technology and trends

FEATURE

18 Revolutionising retail : technological advances in refrigeration display cabinets

BUSINESS AND TRAINING

21 Danfoss celebrates 30 years in South Africa : a regional perspective

PROJECT

23 Enhanced efficiency and storage in a state-of-the-art cold room project

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Increasing demand for temperaturecontrolled logistics : With the rise of e-commerce and online grocery shopping , there is an increasing demand for temperature-controlled logistics services . This has led to a surge in investments in refrigerated warehousing and transportation . Online grocery shoppers tend to make smaller , more frequent orders compared to traditional grocery shopping . This requires a different approach to temperaturecontrolled logistics , as the products need to be transported more frequently and in smaller quantities . Customers expect fast and accurate delivery when they order online . This puts pressure on the cold chain to ensure that products are delivered quickly and in good condition , without any delays or spoilage . Online grocery shoppers expect transparency and traceability throughout the entire supply chain . This has led to a greater emphasis on real-time monitoring and end-to-end visibility in the cold chain , to ensure that products are tracked and monitored throughout the entire journey . This growth of e-commerce and online grocery shopping has led to a shift towards last-mile delivery ,

where products are delivered directly to the customer ' s doorstep in good condition . Technological advancements : New technologies such as IoT ( Internet of Things ), RFID ( Radio Frequency Identification ), and blockchain are being integrated into the cold chain to enhance transparency , visibility , and traceability of products . These technologies help to reduce wastage , improve efficiency , and minimize product spoilage .

Sustainability : Consumers are becoming more environmentally conscious , and there is a growing demand for sustainable cold chain solutions . This has led to the adoption of sustainable packaging materials , energy-efficient refrigeration systems , and green logistics practices . Sustainable packaging materials , such as biodegradable or compostable materials , have a lower impact on the environment than traditional packaging materials . This can help to reduce the carbon footprint of the cold chain . Vacuum insulated panels or aerogels can provide better insulation than traditional packaging materials . This can help to maintain a stable temperature within the packaging , reducing the risk of product spoilage . Such materials are often more easily recyclable than traditional packaging materials . This can help to reduce waste and improve the overall sustainability of the

cold chain . Using sustainable packaging materials can help to improve a company ' s brand image and enhance its reputation for sustainability . Many countries and regions have regulations in place that require companies to use sustainable packaging materials , so by adopting these principles companies can ensure compliance with these regulations and avoid potential fines or penalties .

Cold chain digitisation : With the increasing need for end-to-end visibility and real-time monitoring , digitisation of the cold chain has become a top priority . This has led to the development of digital platforms that offer end-to-end supply chain visibility , real-time monitoring , and analytics . This has become increasingly important for the cold chain in recent years , reducing the time and resources required to track and manage inventory . It can help to identify potential issues in the cold chain , such as temperature fluctuations or delays , before they cause damage to the products being transported . This helps to ensure that products arrive at their destination in good condition and are safe for consumption , and also enable companies to provide customers with accurate information about the status of their shipments . This helps to improve customer satisfaction and builds trust in the company ' s ability to deliver

EDITOR ’ S COLUMN

products on time and in good condition . This represents a competitive advantage in the cold chain industry .

Shift towards automation : The global cold chain industry is moving towards automation to reduce labour costs , increase efficiency , and ensure the safety of products . Automation technologies such as robotics , autonomous vehicles , and automated storage and retrieval systems are being adopted to streamline the cold chain operations . CLA

Eamonn