Rethinking refrigerated transport for a smarter cold chain.
FEATURE
INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN
Think of the box Compiled by Eamonn Ryan
Rethinking refrigerated transport for a smarter cold chain.
In the refrigerated transport and broader cold chain sector, boxes dominate our landscape – literally and figuratively. From insulated vans and trailers, to refrigerated warehouses, supermarket chillers, domestic fridges and even the packaging of perishable items, we live in a world of cold boxes. And yet, while we pour time and resources into protecting the contents of these boxes, perhaps the answers we seek lie in the box itself.
Consider the journey of a perishable item, such as a fresh food product, through the cold chain. In a simplified model, we apply mechanical refrigeration at least eight times:
• On-site cooling in the field: produce is gathered and stored in refrigerated boxes
• Factory intake: transported to a refrigerated facility for processing
• Outbound transport: packaged goods leave in refrigerated trucks
• Distribution centre: stored again in refrigerated warehouses
• Retail delivery: shipped to supermarkets in another round of refrigerated transport
• In-store cooling: held in chilled display units or cold rooms
• Home delivery: sent in refrigerated vans
• Domestic storage: finally ends up in a household refrigerator
The current system is built on ensuring goods remain at a safe temperature throughout their journey, but at what cost? We invest immense energy into cooling goods, only to repeat the process again at the next stage. In some cases, we’ re refrigerating simply because it’ s standard practice – not because it ' s essential in that moment.
This brings us to the heart of the issue: Are we refrigerating out of necessity or out of habit?
It’ s time to reframe the question – not how we protect what ' s inside the box, but how the box itself can do more. This shift in thinking could unlock new efficiencies, reduce emissions and challenge the status quo in cold chain design and logistics.
ENERGY RETENTION OVER ENERGY ADDITION
One emerging concept is to preserve the cooling energy already invested into goods, rather than constantly reapplying it. This means:
• Smarter insulation: improving the thermal efficiency of containers to prevent temperature loss, rather than compensating for it with more energy
• Thermal monitoring: equipping boxes with sensors to track actual product temperature, not just ambient air
• Energy piggybacking: reusing or redirecting cooling energy from highcapacity sites like cold stores to support transport or last-mile nodes
• Strategic refrigeration: cooling only when and where it’ s absolutely needed, rather than relying on redundancy throughout the chain
There are global innovations, some centuries old and others tech-enabled, that are being rediscovered and refined. These include phase-change materials, vacuum panels, solar-assisted systems and passive cooling technologies that reduce or even eliminate the need for powered refrigeration in certain applications.
There’ s a growing argument to be made for right-sizing refrigeration based on real data and usage patterns, rather than legacy standards or over-engineering.
At its core, the cold chain was never about technology for technology’ s sake. It was – and still is – about preserving the quality and safety of products, reducing waste and maintaining trust with consumers. But somewhere along the way, it has become increasingly complex, carbonintensive and fragmented.
By focusing back on‘ the box’ – its construction, insulation, purpose and monitoring – we return to the fundamentals of cold chain logic. A smart, efficient box could reduce reliance on diesel-powered refrigeration units, cut synthetic refrigerant use and help meet global sustainability goals.
A SERCO GUIDE TO COST SAVINGS FOR OPERATORS IN THE COLD CHAIN
Truck and trailer body building company Serco has some top tips to help improve the transport of perishable goods and boost fleet efficiency.
CEO Clinton Holcroft says:“ Transporting perishable goods is a high-stakes operation. Whether you ' re moving fresh produce, pharmaceuticals or frozen foods, maintaining optimal temperature and minimising wear and tear on refrigerated trucks and trailers are critical.”
“ Here is our collection of tips to help logistics and retail fleet managers improve thermal performance, reduce fuel costs, and extend vehicle lifespan.”
1. General maintenance
• Keep tyres correctly inflated to reduce fuel consumption and extend tyre life
• Always check the fully laden weight before trips to avoid fines and excessive wear
• Balance the load to prevent uneven tyre wear and mechanical strain
• Roads in poor condition can put wheel alignment out – check regularly to maintain tyre health
• Clean filters, check refrigerant levels and maintain service schedules to counter fuel-hungry cooling units
2. Refrigerated body specification – build for performance through use of:
20 www. coldlinkafrica. co. za COLD LINK AFRICA • November / December 2025