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Sustainable refrigerated road transport, 21st Informatory Note on refrigerating technologies.

Author(s) : IIF-IIR, CAVALIER G., TASSOU S.

Type of article: Informatory note

Summary

Refrigerated transport is an essential link in the cold chain and aims to supply the consumer with safe, high-quality perishable goods. The goods concerned are perishable foodstuffs or non-food goods such as pharmaceuticals, flowers, plants, works of art, chemical products, etc. Frozen goods are transported at a temperature of –18ºC or lower, chilled goods at a temperature above the freezing point. Some goods are also transported at controlled temperatures above 15°C (e.g. cocoa, coffee, flavours, certain fruit and vegetables, certain pharmaceuticals). Food transport refrigeration is a critical link in the food chain, not only in terms of safety by properly maintaining the temperature of the transported goods, but also through its impact on energy consumption or CO2 emissions. One of the greatest issues in refrigerated transport is the high dependency on oil for both refrigeration and motion purposes. Refrigerated transport equipment has been progressively improved over the past 60 years in line with the development of food trade worldwide. Distances between production areas and consumers are increasing. A large amount of goods is transported from the southern to the northern hemisphere and vice versa, in order to benefit from seasonal production. Even if such exports are now criticized in some cases, transport activities will continue to expand. Currently, there are around 4 million refrigerated vehicles in service worldwide, including vans (40%), trucks (30%), semi-trailers or trailers (30%).1 According to a recent study,2 global road freight transport is expected to grow 2.5% per year until 2030. This clearly illustrates the importance of refrigerated transport worldwide. In addition, temperature-controlled pharmaceutical freight is expected to grow more than 20% per year. In order to keep pace with this expansion without raising its impact on the environment, the refrigerated transport sector will have to meet several scientific and technical challenges, with a focus on vehicle design, refrigerating equipment, refrigerant issues, food safety and management and logistic aspects.

Available documents

Note d'Information - Le transport frigorifique routier durable (French)

Pages: 4 p.

Available

Free

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Informatory Note - Sustainable refrigerated road transport (English)

Pages: 4 p.

Available

Free

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Details

  • Original title: Sustainable refrigerated road transport, 21st Informatory Note on refrigerating technologies.
  • Record ID : 30002501
  • Languages: English, French
  • Subject: Figures, economy
  • Publication date: 2011/12
  • Notes:

    Note d'information IIF

  • Document available for consultation in the library of the IIR headquarters only.

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