Page 16 - Indian Transport & Logistics News July - August 2024 Issue for Website
P. 16
Focus
Cold Chain
Logistics
faces several challenges. The upfront
costs of sustainable technologies
can be prohibitive for many small
and medium-sized players. There's
also a lack of awareness among
many stakeholders about the benefits
of sustainable practices or how to
implement them effectively. India's
infrastructure challenges, particularly
in rural areas, can make it difficult
to implement certain sustainable
practices, such as solar power
adoption or efficient transportation
networks. Additionally, while the
government has introduced initiatives
to promote sustainability, regulatory
frameworks sometimes lag behind
technological advancements, creating
obstacles for companies wanting to
adopt new sustainable technologies.
However, there are significant
opportunities for sustainable growth Photo: Coldman Logistics
in the sector. The Indian government
has launched several initiatives to
promote sustainable cold-chain
logistics, one of which is the National
Centre for Cold Chain Development energy usage, temperature, and highly promising. The country's current
(NCCD), which has the agenda to humidity levels in real-time, ensuring cold chain market size is $35 billion
positively impact and promote the everything runs optimally with minimal and is expected to reach $50 billion
development of the cold-chain environmental impact.” by 2027. Technological advancements
sector in the country. “The Indian Increasing consumer awareness will continue to enhance efficiency,
government is increasingly focusing about sustainability is creating market transparency, and reliability across
on regulatory guidelines to align with pressure for more environmentally the supply chain, reducing waste and
global standards in pharmaceutical friendly cold chain solutions. ensuring product quality. Sustainability
distribution, emphasising the reduction Partnerships with international will be at the forefront, with significant
of losses in fruits, vegetables, and organisations and companies are investments in renewable energy
other perishables. Government support bringing global best practices in sources and eco-friendly refrigeration
through infrastructure development sustainable cold chain logistics to systems aimed at reducing the
and incentives will further lead to India, with the Global Cold Chain industry's carbon footprint."
growth, particularly in tier-II and tier-III Alliance (GCCA) working with Indian In conclusion, the Indian cold chain
cities,” noted Bose of Celcius Logistics. companies to promote sustainable logistics sector is at a critical juncture.
Emerging technologies like the practices and technologies. While facing significant challenges, it
Internet of Things (IoT) and blockchain As the industry continues to evolve, is also embracing innovative solutions
are creating opportunities for more it will be crucial for all stakeholders and sustainable practices. From
efficient and sustainable cold chain – from government bodies to private solar-powered facilities to advanced
management. Companies like New companies and consumers – to work monitoring systems and electric
Delhi-based Tessol are developing collaboratively towards building a vehicles, companies are finding ways
phase-change material (PCM) based sustainable cold chain ecosystem. to reduce their environmental impact
mobile cold storage units that can This not only promises environmental while improving efficiency. As the
maintain temperatures for up to benefits but also offers the potential sector continues to grow and evolve,
72 hours without external power. for increased efficiency and reduced sustainability will undoubtedly play
Highlighting the use of technology waste for India's growing population. a central role in shaping its future,
in Indicold Logistics operations, Bose of Celcius Logistics offers an contributing to both environmental
Jalan stated, “IoT and AI-based optimistic outlook for the industry: “The conservation and economic growth
solutions help us monitor and control future of cold chain logistics in India is in India.
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July - August 2024 www.itln.in
