Sunswap Joins the Move to -15°C Campaign: Advancing Efficiency Savings and Sustainability Across the Cold Chain

Sunswap is proud to announce our membership in the Move to -15°C coalition, a groundbreaking initiative advocating for changes to temperature setpoints in the frozen food supply chain. This collaboration aligns perfectly with our mission to advance efficiencies and sustainability across the cold chain industry.

The current industry standard of -18°C for transporting frozen food was established nearly a century ago. However, with significant advancements in logistics and refrigeration technology, it's time to reassess this benchmark. Compelling research shows substantial improvements in energy efficiency and environmental impact are possible without compromising food safety, by raising this temperature.

Through extensive trials and live data collection from operations, Sunswap has observed that many operators run their transportation refrigeration units at even lower temperatures, often -22°C or below.

According to analysis from Sunswap, the energy saved from increasing the temperature setpoint from -22°C to -15°C could be considerable. For a mid-sized fleet with 500 trailers, the operator could save:

• £2.5 million in reduced diesel costs
• Slash CO2 emissions by 46%
• This is the equivalent CO2 reduction to taking 1,203 cars off the road for a year.

Academic research from the Move to -15°C Coalition shows that raising the temperature from -18°C to -15°C would save 17.7m metric tons of CO2 per year, and create energy savings of around 25 terawatt-hours (TWh)

These adjustments in temperature setpoints offer a win-win situation for the industry, regardless of the fuel type used.

• For electric refrigeration systems like Sunswap Endurance, it translates to smaller battery requirements, reducing capital expenditure and increasing operational range.
• For traditional diesel systems, it can also lead to a reduction in fuel cost and diesel burned.

As a company dedicated to sustainable refrigeration, Sunswap is committed to playing a role in this change. Our battery and solar-powered Endurance units are already at the forefront of clean cold chain technology. Shifting to higher temperature setpoints will only speed up the transition to electric transport refrigeration.

Sunswap joins other key members of the cold chain industry, including Nomad Foods, Morrisons, Americold, and DP World, in joining the Move to -15°C Coalition.

Thomas Eskesen, Chairman of the Move to -15°C, said: “We are delighted to welcome Sunswap to the coalition. “By working together with industry, we stand to make a significant, positive environmental impact. We encourage anyone eager to learn more and contribute to this cause to get in touch and explore how they can be part of this impactful journey.” 

About the Move to -15°C 
Established in 2023, the Move to -15°C aims to reset frozen food temperature standards to reduce greenhouse gases, lower supply chain costs and secure global food resources. It was founded following the launch of the Three Degrees of Change report, an academic paper supported by global logistics firm, DP World, and delivered by experts from the Paris-based International Institute of Refrigeration, the University of Birmingham, and London South Bank University among others.    

Recognising that a change in global temperature standards requires a collective effort, the Coalition intends to bring together key players within the global food supply chain to collaborate and explore viable options for a move to -15°C.    

www.movetominus15.com