A must-see for logistics companies! Reasons why cold storage logistics is booming and examples of improvements made by introducing cold storage boxes

What is cryogenic logistics, which is attracting increasing attention worldwide? Why is the need for it increasing year by year? What is a cold storage box, which is indispensable for logistics companies? What kind of benefits can be expected from their introduction?

We have compiled information on low-temperature logistics for logistics companies.

What is cold chain logistics?

A system for distributing products that require low-temperature management while maintaining them at a predetermined temperature from the production stage to the consumption stage is called a “cold chain” logistics system. For example, this temperature control system is used to transport perishable foods from production sites to stores such as supermarkets, and to transport medical products from manufacturers to hospitals and other medical facilities. The advent of low-temperature logistics has led to a dramatic development in the distribution of food products and medical supplies.

In order to realize low-temperature logistics, it is necessary to maintain a constant temperature at each stage of the distribution process. Therefore, consistent management is required not only for transportation technology in logistics, but also for freezing/refrigeration technology at warehouses and other locations, as well as the development of transportation routes to enable smooth movement of goods.

Why is low-temperature logistics (cold chain) attracting attention?

Since the advent of low-temperature logistics, its demand and importance have increased every year. We summarize the reasons for this.

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The rapid aging of the population and the shift to nuclear families in Japan have led to increasingly diverse consumer needs, with a particularly rapid increase in demand for “chushoku” (inedible foods (processed foods and pre-prepared foods) and food service. In addition, the growing demand for transportation of vaccine products, blood packs, and other products in line with the development of medical technology has also spurred the need for low-temperature logistics.

Domestic Frozen Food Demand

下図は日本冷凍食品協会が公開した、日本国内における国民一人当たりの冷凍食品の消費量の年間推移を表わしたグラフです。

これを見るとリーマンショックや新型コロナウィルスの影響による一時的な落ち込みを除いて、その数値は右肩上がりに増加していることがわかります。また2019年度が過去最高値を記録していることから、コロナ収束後も需要の拡大傾向は継続することが予想できます。

（出所：日本冷凍食品協会「国内消費量推移」）

Low-temperature logistics operators are performing well

The business report materials of the Nichirei Logistics Group, the largest low-temperature logistics provider in Japan, also show that the company is steadily growing its business despite the global Corona shock. The importance of low-temperature logistics and its high growth potential are evident.

(Source: Nichirei Logistics Group “Business Report for FY2020” )

Expanding cryogenic logistics needs in Asian markets

In addition, demand is expected to grow significantly not only in Japan but also in the ASEAN market, which is expected to lead to the development of the cryogenic logistics business and is attracting a great deal of attention. Let us look at the demand for frozen foods, for example. There is a correlation between income and frozen food consumption, and the higher the income, the higher the frozen food consumption. For this reason, a large increase in frozen food consumption is expected in Asian countries, which have been achieving remarkable economic development in recent years.

(Source: Fujitsu Research Institute, “Spreading the Japanese Cold Chain Logistics Service Standard to ASEAN” )

Also support for promotion of low-temperature logistics by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism

In response, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) has set up the “ASEAN Smart Cold Chain Initiative” and is implementing the perspective of developing Japanese-style low-temperature logistics in five countries, including Indonesia and Thailand, where particularly large demand growth is expected. Low-temperature logistics is truly a business area that is attracting attention on a global scale and is sure to grow. (Source: “Efforts by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism to Promote ASEAN Cold Chain Logistics in Fiscal 2019” by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism )

What is an excellent cold storage box indispensable for low-temperature logistics?

An indispensable part of the low-temperature logistics operations of logistics companies is the introduction of superior low-temperature management products in the transportation area to keep the cold chain uninterrupted. In particular, “cold storage boxes” play an important role in small-lot transportation, but the variety of products on the market makes it difficult to determine the superiority of the product.

Challenges in Low-Temperature Logistics and Functions Required for Cold Storage Boxes

First, we will analyze issues related to low-temperature logistics and organize the functionality required for cold storage boxes.

Cold storage box that solves all challenges

Logistics companies need to choose a cold storage box that solves all of these issues. Let us introduce a cold storage box that has all the required functions. It is the “Jet Shipper” from Taiyo Kogyo Corporation.

(Jet Shipper, an excellent cold storage box with all the functions required for low-temperature logistics)

Jet Shipper is a completely new cold storage box that was developed in cooperation with the Co-op to realize “colder, cheaper, and more convenient” in low-temperature logistics.

The newly developed vacuum insulation material “Vaccum Insulation Panel” is used to ensure a larger volume of contents with the same external dimensions as conventional cold storage boxes. In addition, the cost is reduced by dramatically improving the cooling efficiency and reducing the amount of refrigerant required.

(Unique protection method significantly increases strength and heat shielding effect.)

 

Cold storage box" introduction examples by industry in low-temperature logistics

Cold storage boxes are used in the following situations

• Frozen and refrigerated food transportation
• Transportation of pharmaceuticals
• Transportation of frozen food for co-op
• Cold storage containers for air cargo
• Home delivery transport

Here are some examples of introductions in various industries related to low-temperature logistics.

Case Studies in the Food Wholesale Industry

Company A, a food wholesaler, requested a quotation for cold storage boxes. After investigation, we found that the cold storage boxes used by Company A had more cooling performance than required, and by optimizing the thickness of the insulation used in the boxes, we succeeded in reducing the purchase price of the boxes. On the other hand, Company B, a food wholesaler, found that the cooling performance of its commercial-use cold storage bags did not meet the required standard. By introducing the optimal cold storage boxes for the environment in which they were used, the company succeeded in reducing the percentage of defective products, thereby realizing a cost reduction in overall cold storage logistics.

Example of transportation of products requiring refrigeration by ambient temperature vehicles

Company C was a logistics company that transported products in different temperature zones (refrigerated and room temperature) to the same destination. The company had been using refrigerated trucks to transport refrigerated goods, but the cost of using refrigerated trucks was high. As a result, the company succeeded in switching to an operation in which refrigerated goods and room-temperature goods are loaded together in room-temperature trucks, and achieved a significant reduction in logistics costs by reducing the number of trucks used.

Case Studies in the Home Delivery Business

Company D, a domestic delivery service provider, used to spend several hundred million yen annually on dry ice in its low-temperature logistics operations. By switching to “Jet Shipper” cold storage boxes, the cold storage performance was dramatically improved, and as a result, the company succeeded in reducing dry ice costs by tens of millions of yen per year.

Case Studies in Overseas Delivery

Company E, which provides a service to send refrigerated goods from Japan to overseas, required continuous cold storage performance for approximately 3 days, not just a few hours. The “Jet Shipper” realized continuous cold storage for 72 hours, which could not be achieved with conventional cold storage boxes.

Inquiries about Low Temperature Logistics

For inquiries about Jet Shipper and other low-temperature logistics products, please contact Taiyo Kogyo Corporation, a world-leading, 100-year-old manufacturer with a wealth of experience and unrivaled technology.

We will not only introduce you to our products, but also make proposals for optimal low-temperature logistics tailored to your company’s needs.

Logistics Business Headquarters
2-33-16 Ikejiri, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 154-0001

2-33-16 Ikejiri, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 532-0012
4-8-4 Kigawahigashi, Yodogawa-ku, Osaka

Contact us by phone
Tokyo: 03-3714-3133
Osaka: 06-6306-3084

summary

Low-temperature logistics is expected to grow steadily in the future as needs expand worldwide. We have introduced the “Jet Shipper,” a low-temperature logistics product with overwhelmingly superior features and the functions required of a cold storage box, which is indispensable in this industry. If you have any questions about low-temperature logistics, please feel free to contact Taiyo Kogyo Corporation.