The cold chain, essential for the preservation of frozen food, is undergoing a significant transformation due to an innovative proposal for a change in storage standards, which could reduce significant carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Called “The Move to -15°C”, the aim is to advocate raising the standard temperature for storing frozen food from -18°C to -15°C, which would generate notable benefits for both the industry and the environment.
This change, simple at first glance, carries profound implications for frozen food logistics, such as reduced energy consumption, increased operational efficiency and potentially saving millions of tons of CO2. This places “The Move to -15°C” as one of the greatest innovations of the last decade in the cold chain.
The study behind the “Move to -15°C” movement
The movement is based on scientific data and research conducted by experts in energy efficiency and environmental impact. The study entitled The Three Degrees of Change, coordinated by the Center for Sustainable Refrigeration at the International Institute of Refrigeration, pointed out that a simple change in food preservation temperature could be the key to a more sustainable future.
It showed that by raising the storage temperature by just 3 degrees, it would be possible to reduce global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by up to 17.7 million metric tons per year. To put this figure into a slightly more realistic perspective, the estimate is that it would be like taking 3.5 million cars off the road every year, without compromising the safety or quality of the frozen food.
This is because maintaining extremely low temperatures, such as -18°C, was a practice established decades ago, when refrigeration technologies were less efficient. Today, with technological advances and better control of storage conditions, -15°C is more than enough to guarantee the integrity of food, offering an effective and modern solution for the industry.
Expected impacts of “The Move to -15°C” on frozen food logistics
By adopting the -15°C temperature, cold chain companies can reduce energy use substantially while accelerating the implementation of solutions that are more advanced and efficient throughout the supply chain. The result? Among other advantages is an improvement in the profitability of operations over time.
In addition, the savings generated by this change in temperature can be reinvested in other areas, such as technological improvements, automation and operational growth, among other actions aimed at creating an important competitive edge in the global market.
Thus, companies in the frozen food industry will be able to redirect the resources saved to strategic sectors, such as technological innovation and the expansion of logistics capacity, improving their own efficiency.
Such advantages make the “Move to -15°C” movement an attractive solution not only from an environmental point of view, but also to ensure the competitiveness and financial sustainability of frozen food companies around the world.
Emergent Cold Latam joins the movement in Latin America
Taking on the responsibility and opportunity to make a significant contribution to global sustainability and food safety, we have decided to join the movement, reaffirming our commitment to innovation and operational efficiency.
We believe that joining “The Move to -15°C” is not only a necessary evolution in the cold chain sector, but a strategic change that will deliver tangible benefits to the entire logistics operation, bringing significant impacts on both efficiency and cost reduction.
With the growing interest in the movement, the expectation is that more and more companies will adopt this practice in their operations.
Conclusion: the future of the cold chain with “The Move to -15°C”
“The Move to -15°C” movement is transforming the frozen food industry on a global scale. The adoption of a higher storage temperature, from -18°C to -15°C, represents a valuable opportunity for companies looking to improve their operational efficiency, reduce costs and keep up with technological innovations in the supply chain.
The change proposed by the movement not only reduces environmental impact, but also offers a series of economic advantages for the frozen food industry. It’s a bold move by the sector, which is ready to lead the transition to a more sustainable and profitable future.
Our experience in protecting your product throughout the cold chain for food makes us a standout choice in Latin America.