Thermo King’s sustainable and efficient cold chain innovation at Intermodal Europe 2024

Thermo King®, a leader in transport temperature control solutions and a brand of Trane Technologies, will showcase its latest refrigerated container solutions at Intermodal Europe 2024 in Rotterdam, Netherlands, from November 12th to 14th. The innovations on display at Thermo King’s stand (B20) focus on enhancing efficiency and sustainability in cold chain transport, meeting the needs of shipping lines, intermodal and stationary applications to reduce food loss and carbon emissions.

“Cold chain integrity while minimizing carbon footprint and energy consumption, are key trends shaping the transport and logistics sector,” said Claudio Zanframundo, president Thermo King EMEA Truck, Trailer, Bus and Global Marine, Rail, Air. “We protect temperature-sensitive cargo at every stage of transport, whether by road, rail, or sea. Thermo King is driving the transformation of cold chain logistics by delivering solutions that meet current and future stringent environmental standards, helping our customers achieve sustainability goals without compromising operations. By innovating, we ensure reliable performance, reduce food loss, and support a more sustainable cold chain.”

Thermo King will introduce several key advancements tailored to the needs of marine and intermodal transport:

· MP-5000 Controller

The MP-5000 controller for Thermo King’s Container Fresh and Frozen (CFF) and Magnum Plus reefer units provides an intuitive, logic-driven user interface with Bluetooth connectivity for two-way communication. This system simplifies operator interactions, giving greater control and allowing for remote monitoring. The MP-5000 also includes energy logging as a standard feature, enabling users to track both kWh consumption and CO2 emissions for each voyage. With PT-1000 temperature sensors, the controller delivers best-in-class temperature accuracy, ensuring cargo protection, while also reducing the total cost of ownership.

· TK Active Fresh – Active Controlled Atmosphere

Showcased for the first time at Intermodal 2024, the TK Active Fresh solution is designed to maintain optimal conditions for high-respiration cargo, such as fresh produce, during long-haul transport. Using a nitrogen membrane, the system actively controls oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) levels inside refrigerated containers, ensuring the cargo stays in optimal conditions throughout its journey. The systems features fast oxygen pull-down at 28 liters per minute with nitrogen purity of 95%, effectively slowing down the respiration of fresh produce, improving quality and extending its shelf life.

With superior ventilation rate removing excessive CO2 at 90 liters per minute, exporters can confidently transport their goods over long distances with minimal food loss, ensuring the highest product quality upon arrival.

· E-COOLPAC – Battery Power for Reefer Containers

Thermo King will also showcase the E-COOLPAC, an advanced battery-powered solution designed for refrigerated marine containers when not connected to grid or vessel power. Available in flexible configurations ranging from 35kWh to 105kWh, the E-COOLPAC offers a sustainable alternative to diesel gensets. It can be fitted or retrofitted to marine container chassis, and is compatible with Thermo King CFF and Magnum Plus refrigeration units, as well as other ISO1496-2 reefer units. E-COOLPAC helps transporters reduce emissions, comply with regulations, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.