Intermodal 2023: exploring the latest innovations for a sustainable cold chain

That’s a big story to tell, and with an audience featuring many of the region’s leading shipping lines, leasing companies, logistics firms, ports, and rail operators, we had the ideal audience ready to listen.

Knowing this, our efforts were directed towards tackling the biggest issue of all: sustainability. The goal being to again demonstrate Thermo King’s unwavering commitment to protecting our customers’ cargoes in the most environmentally and economically sustainable way possible.

In support of green strategy

Sustainability is of course a huge topic. That’s why Claudio began his talk by highlighting the 3 (of 17) UN Sustainable Development Goals impacting intermodal transport refrigeration:

• Zero hunger – and helping to radically cut food loss and food waste
• Affordable and clean energy – and transitioning to greener, more efficient fuel systems
• Climate action – and delivering lower global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants, efficiency, and enhanced recycling

Having focused attention on the problem, attention shifted next to the solution – and what Thermo King is doing to inspire positive change.

For reducing food loss, our emphasis is on reliable energy-efficient refrigeration that extends from the point of production (post-harvest) to the end consumer. A journey requiring seamless multimodal temperature control, with active refrigeration systems and temperature monitoring, all made possible by on-going innovations in energy supply, logging devices and materials.

For affordable and clean energy, the topic turned to the electrification of transport refrigeration, including developments in power agnostic products and those providing kinetic energy recovery – as well as alternative fuels.

Finally, for climate action, Claudio detailed Thermo King’s solutions for reducing energy consumption and utilizing low GWP refrigerants – while also factoring the needs of recycling into every product design.

Sustainable innovations in 2023 – the highlights

Both during the presentation and at our stand, attendees also heard about the latest sustainable technologies emerging from Thermo King. Many of these were also on display, including:

• Advancer AxlePower – which offers free energy and no emissions by powering a refrigeration unit with energy captured from a vehicle’s breaking and movement
• E-Coolpac – the full-electric generator set for marine containers that offers up to 24 hours of autonomous operation
• Container Fresh and Frozen (CFF) reefer units – that come with a significantly reduced CO2 footprint, alongside industry-leading refrigeration performance
• Sustainable gensets – which deliver the lowest emissions to cover even the most stringent of regulations, including the SG-5000 which remains CARB compliant for life

From vision to value

Based on the conversations had during the event, and feedback on the keynote, Thermo King’s clear focus on sustainability is certainly aligned to customer priorities. Aspiring to a greener cold chain was the “hot” topic, and doing so in a way that doesn’t compromise performance or reliability.

Equally, with rising costs an ever-present challenge, our message of cutting power and fuel consumption as well as emissions certainly hit home.

As Claudio himself commented: “optimizing every aspect of the intermodal process for sustainability is a huge challenge. But together with our customers, huge advances are being made each year. Our task is to help lead the way with a constant stream of exciting innovations, and to showcase them at events such as Intermodal Europe. With that in mind, we’re already thinking ahead to next year’s event!”

Put sustainability at the center of your operations in 2023 and beyond

Enhancing your green credentials is what we all must focus on to reduce total cost of ownership, and help protect our planet. Thermo King offers an extensive, end-to-end portfolio of refrigeration technologies that help deliver sustainability now and in future. We invite you to discover more at Sustainable Solutions – Thermo King and Sustainability | Challenge Possible | Trane Technologies