Upcoming Trends Impacting The Cold Storage Sector

The cold storage sector services a wide variety of businesses such as food, chemical and pharmaceutical industries. A successful cold chain ensures temperature-sensitive products are kept within an optimal temperature range and are aligned with stringent compliance measures. 

As the need for greater monitoring and visibility increases, the adoption of technology that incorporates automation and digitalisation will be valuable for the sector. For example, such technology can allow employees or managers to be notified when temperature thresholds are crossed enabling necessary action to take place to rectify the issue. Further, if perishable goods experience parameter deviations, companies can proactively address issues before it is exacerbated.

A report by IATA in 2020 found that 20% of temperature sensitive goods are damaged due to cold chain disruptions in the logistics process. Alarmingly, a further 25% of global vaccine distributions are rendered ineffective during the supply chain as a result of “incorrect shipping” measures. Upcoming trends will revolutionise the cold chain management processes in place for the cold storage sector. 

The transformation of data into actionable insights is a major upcoming trend for the cold storage sector. The utilisation of IoT enhanced devices such as temperature monitoring systems will enable the industry to collect data and turn it into valuable insights. Reoccurring issues in the cold storage of valuable assets may originate from a lack of insight and visibility into the supply chain process. Through IoT enhanced devices, immediate necessary action can be taken when thresholds are crossed.

A recent IATA report highlights the increased spending of the cold chain logistics to have reached $17.2 billion in 2020 to meet sector development. An introduction of recyclable cold chain containers for global distribution, and an increased implementation of digital monitoring solutions is set to expand this growth even further. The report identifies the growing need for cold chain capacities, reflecting the industry trends to meet global supply chain needs.

IoT technology is impacting almost every industry globally including the cold storage sector. IoT can be defined as the interconnectivity and exchange of data between an ‘object’ and the cloud. This innovative technology can be applied in a number of ways such as IoT enhanced devices to collect vital data into the supply chain of a company. Data on the storage of assets is especially important for temperature sensitive assets as they can be damaged or no longer viable for use if they are not stored in the correct conditions. Utilisation of IoT enhanced devices can evidently transform and benefit the cold storage sector via the vital data that is collected.

The digitalisation and automation of supply chain processes in place can reduce the need for manual processes and ensure that issues that occur can be identified as soon as possible. Increased visibility benefits both the company and their clients, in building a transparent supply chain process. Insights into the logistics process will also allow companies to take proactive measures to address supply chain challenges. The automation of cold chain management processes for the cold storage sector will result in significant benefits which must be taken advantage of.

Adapt Ideations’ solutions utilise advanced technology and helps to automate and digitalise our client’s operations. Our wireless temperature and humidity monitoring system PIXEL empowers businesses by enabling the consistent monitoring of all cold storages, refrigerators and workrooms. The solution monitors temperature and humidity and relays any deviations from set parameters in near real-time. By utilising Adapt Ideations’ solution, the cold storage sector can ensure that products have been stored in the correct conditions.

Get in touch with us today at enquiries@adaptideations.com to discover how our solutions can enhance your cold chain management.