Sustainable and Efficient Cold Chain Innovation

Thermo King®, a leader in transport temperature control solutions and a brand of Trane Technologies, will showcase its latest refrigerated container solutions at Intermodal Europe 2024 in Rotterdam, Netherlands, from November 12th to 14th. The innovations on display at Thermo King’s stand (B20) focus on enhancing efficiency and sustainability in cold chain transport, meeting the needs of shipping lines, intermodal and stationary applications to reduce food loss and carbon emissions.

“Cold chain integrity while minimizing carbon footprint and energy consumption, are key trends shaping the transport and logistics sector,” said Claudio Zanframundo, president Thermo King EMEA Truck, Trailer, Bus and Global Marine, Rail, Air. “We protect temperature-sensitive cargo at every stage of transport, whether by road, rail, or sea. Thermo King is driving the transformation of cold chain logistics by delivering solutions that meet current and future stringent environmental standards, helping our customers achieve sustainability goals without compromising operations. By innovating, we ensure reliable performance, reduce food loss, and support a more sustainable cold chain.”

Thermo King will introduce several key advancements tailored to the needs of marine and intermodal transport:

• MP-5000 Controller
The MP-5000 controller for Thermo King’s Container Fresh and Frozen (CFF) and Magnum Plus reefer units provides an intuitive, logic-driven user interface with Bluetooth connectivity for two-way communication. This system simplifies operator interactions, giving greater control and allowing for remote monitoring. The MP-5000 also includes energy logging as a standard feature, enabling users to track both kWh consumption and CO2 emissions for each voyage. With PT-1000 temperature sensors, the controller delivers best-in-class temperature accuracy, ensuring cargo protection, while also reducing the total cost of ownership.

• TK Active Fresh – Active Controlled Atmosphere
Showcased for the first time at Intermodal 2024, the TK Active Fresh solution is designed to maintain optimal conditions for high-respiration cargo, such as fresh produce, during long-haul transport. Using a nitrogen membrane, the system actively controls oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) levels inside refrigerated containers, ensuring the cargo stays in optimal conditions throughout its journey. The systems features fast oxygen pull-down at 28 liters per minute with nitrogen purity of 95%, effectively slowing down the respiration of fresh produce, improving quality and extending its shelf life.

With superior ventilation rate removing excessive CO2 at 90 liters per minute, exporters can confidently transport their goods over long distances with minimal food loss, ensuring the highest product quality upon arrival.

• E-COOLPAC – Battery Power for Reefer Containers
Thermo King will also showcase the E-COOLPAC, an advanced battery-powered solution designed for refrigerated marine containers when not connected to grid or vessel power. Available in flexible configurations ranging from 35kWh to 105kWh, the E-COOLPAC offers a sustainable alternative to diesel gensets. It can be fitted or retrofitted to marine container chassis, and is compatible with Thermo King CFF and Magnum Plus refrigeration units, as well as other ISO1496-2 reefer units. E-COOLPAC helps transporters reduce emissions, comply with regulations, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

Thermo King CFF and Advancer Refrigeration Units

Visitors to the Thermo King stand will also see the proven CFF refrigeration unit offering industry-standard set-point range from -30°C to +30°C. The CFF is culmination of Thermo King’s extensive container refrigeration knowledge acquired from the intermodal use of reefer units on rough roads and seas. The CFF provides optimal COP (Coefficient of Performance), air management and temperature control accuracy of +/- 0.25°C in chilled mode and +/- 1°C in frozen mode. The CFF responds to customer needs to reduce energy cost, increase sustainability, support IMO requirements to log power consumption and achieve low total cost of ownership.

Thermo King will also showcase the Advancer Intermodal refrigeration unit, tailored for rail, road, and short-sea shipments. This unit offers market-leading performance in terms of fuel efficiency, temperature control, and connectivity. Thermo King’s telematics systems enable remote monitoring, and two-way communication, allowing customers to benefit from the ThermoKare 24/7 Fleet Monitoring service. This central monitoring solution from Thermo King combines real-time monitoring of the refrigerated fleet, remote-diagnosis and proactive support performed around the clock by Thermo King experts.

Additionally, the Advancer is compatible with alternative power sources, including the Thermo King AxlePower smart energy recovery system, which harvests energy from the chassis’ axle to power the refrigeration unit.

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Fully Automated Small-parts Fulfilment Centre in CEE

DHL Supply Chain announces the opening of its first warehouse fulfilment centre in Poland equipped with the fully automated small parts AutoStore system. This robotised warehouse in Gorzów Wielkopolski marks the first deployment of the AutoStore system by the global leader in contract logistics in the Centrale and Eastern Europe region. The Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS) has been implemented by robotics specialist Element Logic, one of the world’s largest AutoStore distributors. This fully automated robot picking system will strengthen Poland’s position in the European e-commerce supply chain.

A new dimension of logistics efficiency

AutoStore is a very compact automated storage and retrieval system that enables optimized space-saving storage of small products and fully automated picking of items. The AutoStore in Gorzów Wielkopolski uses a fleet of 25 robots and 33 000 bins to move products around the warehouse. The solution significantly improves inventory management of hundreds of thousands of different products. The system uses aluminium frame structures, in which each product is placed in a special container called a “bin” and is stored within the structure of the warehouse. The robots support staff in the order picking process by independently locating the required bins (containers), picking them and transporting them to the so-called Port (workstation). This synergy between humans and technology enables faster order completion and delivery to customers.

“We are pleased to implement such a groundbreaking technological solution in our logistics network in Poland. AutoStore has demonstrated significant benefits internationally, especially for e-commerce providers needing high storage density and rapid order processing. With nine AutoStore systems already in operation and three more under construction, DHL Supply Chain is one of the leading users of this technology globally. Our experience shows it is a highly profitable investment, addressing key industry challenges such as labour costs, rising warehouse space expenses, and environmental concerns. This facility marks another step in DHL Group’s global strategy of scaling our innovative, efficient logistics solutions,” says Hendrik Venter, CEO EMEA DHL Supply Chain.

Cooperation with Element Logic

“The AutoStore solution is crucial for companies seeking to optimise their warehouse processes. We are delighted to have collaborated with DHL Supply Chain on this regionally groundbreaking project,” emphasised Anna Wisniewska, Managing Director of Element Logic, the system provider for the facility located at Mosiężna 3 in Gorzów Wielkopolski.

The benefits of the system:
• Storage Density: The vertical structure and dense bin storage allow the warehouse to hold more goods in less space.
• Operational efficiency: Automation reduces order-picking time and increases warehouse throughput.
• Flexibility: The modular design of the system allows for easy expansion as the needs grow.
• Improving work ergonomics: Automation relieves employees from heavy physical tasks, increasing safety and comfort.

Poland Strengthens Role as Key Supply Chain Hub

Poland has solidified its position as a critical link in the supply chain for the e-commerce sector across Central, Eastern, and Northern Europe, according to recent industry reports. Strategic investments in advanced logistics technologies, such as the AutoStore system, are driving Poland’s logistics centres to new levels of international competitiveness. With its prime location, skilled workforce, and expanding infrastructure, Poland is increasingly attracting global businesses seeking efficient and scalable logistics solutions. These advancements are enabling Polish facilities to meet growing demands for speed, flexibility, and sustainability, reinforcing Poland’s role as a logistics leader in the European market.

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November 2024

The November 2024 issue of Logistics Business magazine: Exclusive content spanning the international supply chain and warehousing sector. We have exclusive features on AI in the supply chain, supply chain software, automated storage and retrieval systems for retail fulfilment, hydrogen fuel for HGV lorries, electric vehicles, vehicle restaint systems in the loading bay, weighing technology for air cargo, parcel barcode readers, choosing the right software vendor, hybrid fulfilment, ergonomic picking, robotic picking, miniload and shuttle crane systems, roller conveyors, vertical storage, automated warehousing, forklift brands, automated loading systems, industrial doors, packaging automation, fashion containers and stretch wrapping.

Plus hard-hitting interviews, site visits and case studies with Auchan, Ocado, IFS, Koerber, Zebra, Manhattan Associates, TGW, Itoh Denki, Modula, Bobcat, Joloda, Sparck, Dachser, Mecalux and more.

November 2024

Our digital issues can be read in any language, or listened to. Simply click on the ‘Freeflow reader’ graphic near the top right corner of each editorial page. To browse all our recent issues click here.

 

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