Making Cold Chain Logistics Sustainable With PCM Technology

Cold chain logistics is what enables the safe transport of essential temperature-sensitive foods and pharmaceuticals across cities, countries, and continents. From life-saving vaccines to nutritious fruits and vegetables, cold chain logistics ensures that the quality and freshness of the products are preserved till they reach the consumer. It is also due to cold chain logistics that a larger population gets access to medicines and vaccines, and food produce is distributed equitably, minimizing crop wastage.

However, the flip side is that the cold chain industry is one of the largest energy consumers, with the refrigeration industry accounting for 17% [1] and the cold chain of food accounting for 11% [2] of the global electricity consumption. Hence, a switch to renewable energy is imperative for sustainable cold chain logistics.

PCM technology is an innovative solution to minimize the dependency of cold chain logistics on non-renewable energy while making the cold chain more robust and reliable. Here is an overview of how the cold chain logistics industry can leverage PCM technology to reduce its carbon footprint and become more sustainable. But first, we must understand the current challenges of traditional cold chain logistics.

The Challenges Of Traditional Cold Chain Logistics

Traditional cold chain logistics relies heavily on refrigerated vehicles or containers for the transport of thermo-sensitive goods at the desired temperature (freezing, chilling, or ambient). These refrigerated systems work on the principle of active cooling and are powered by non-renewable fossil fuels like diesel. Given that the cold chain logistics industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of ~14% from 2021 to 2030 [3], it can contribute heavily to the exhaustion of non-renewable energy sources. Moreover, the compressors used in these vehicles also pose the threat of releasing greenhouse gases when disposed of, further contributing to global warming.

Besides being unsustainable, conventional cold chain logistics is also prone to inefficiencies and disruptions. Refrigerated systems lead to energy wastage due to suboptimal use of space, inadequate airflow or refrigerant levels, bulky size of equipment and energy leakage. Besides energy wastage, this method of active cooling does not ensure optimal temperatures during loading and unloading, vehicle breakdowns, and unforeseen hold times at customs or other holding areas. Hence, it is subject to disruptions in the cold chain which can affect the safety and quality of the thermo-sensitive goods.

Given the significant carbon footprint of conventional cold chain logistics and glaring inefficiencies in temperature control, switching to sustainable and reliable cooling methods should not be an afterthought but a topmost priority for the industry.

How Does PCM Technology Ensure Sustainable Cold Chain Logistics

PCMs or Phase Change Materials are a class of materials that maintain a constant temperature during their phase change by storing or releasing latent heat energy. These materials are organic or inorganic compounds [4] that can help to maintain desired temperatures for long durations during the transport of temperature-sensitive products. The phase change from the solid state to the liquid state is usually utilized to maintain freezing, chilling, or cooling temperatures, as per the melting point of the PCM.

A notable virtue of PCM technology is that it is “engine independent”, which means that it does not need to be actively powered by an engine during transport. Instead, PCMs can be charged to their melting point using a sustainable energy source right before loading, to maintain the desired low temperature for the transport of food and pharmaceuticals. When paired with appropriate insulation, PCM technology can maintain freezing, chilling, or cooling temperatures for up to 120 hours for the domestic and international transport of food and pharmaceuticals.

Some attributes that make PCM technology more sustainable than traditional cold chain logistics are the following –

No dependency on non-renewable fossil fuels; PCMs can be charged using sustainable energy before loading.
PCMs are reusable and cyclically stable, and can, therefore, be used multiple times for the transport of temperature-sensitive goods.
PCM technology is a cost-effective alternative to traditional refrigerated systems.
Lesser energy losses due to more efficient packaging of temperature-sensitive goods using PCM.

How Can PCM Technology Be Utilized In Cold Chain Logistics

For Dynamic Thermal Insulation: PCM Cool Packs can maintain freezing, chilling, or ambient temperatures for up to 120 hours when paired with insulating materials. Parcel or pallet shippers lined with charged PCM cool packs or plates can be used for the safe and temperature-controlled transport of perishables and pharmaceutical products across short and long distances. Customized PCM-based cold chain packaging solutions can thus ensure the safe transport of foods, vaccines, and medical products at the desired temperature while minimizing the carbon footprint of the cold chain.
As A Cooling Back-Up: PCM cool packs or plates can also be utilized as “thermal batteries” to provide backup cooling during grid outages at cold storage facilities or breakdowns of refrigerated vehicles. In this case, the PCM material shall need to be kept charged at all times, ensuring that it can be utilized during power outages, preventing any disruption in the cold chain.

Benefits Of Replacing Traditional Cold Chain Technology With PCM

Utilizing PCM technology for the cold chain logistics of temperature-sensitive goods offers a plethora of benefits, as listed below.

A sustainable alternative to traditional refrigerated systems, with no dependency on non-renewable energy, more optimized energy utilization, higher reusability, and lesser energy losses.
A reliable and robust cooling technology that offers uninterrupted cooling, even during loading and unloading, unforeseen delays, vehicle breakdowns, and power outages.
The low maintenance cost and high reusability of PCM technology make it a cost-effective and elegant cooling solution for the cold chain.
Safer than dry ice, which poses a risk of cold burns and CO2 release, and more reliable and long-lasting than conventional ice packs. Offers freezing, chilling, and ambient temperatures for up to 120 hours with insulated layering.
A space-efficient solution for the effective packaging of temperature-sensitive goods, minimizing cost and energy overheads.

Conclusion

To conclude, PCM technology has immense potential to improve efficiency and minimize the carbon footprint of the cold chain logistics industry. Therefore, key stakeholders must join hands to adopt PCM technology and develop innovative methods to utilize the same, to enhance the sustainability of cold chain logistics to new heights.