Green cooling experts introduces sustainable initiatives for cool chain industry

Monday, 4 August 2014 00:45 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Green cooling experts from Germany and UK recently conducted a workshop on sustainable Initiatives in the Cool Chain Industry to introduce latest international technologies and applications in cool chain industries to Sri Lanka. Bernard Siegele and Dr. Daniel Colboume, representing GIZ-Proklima noted that many countries still lack reliable cold chains even for processing and transportation. The refrigeration of the cargo during transport is energy intensive and expensive since containers are not always well insulated and run inefficiently on diesel. In spite of high temperatures and humidity, fresh produce is transported badly refrigerated over long stretches to central markets.

With proper refrigeration, companies could achieve a better distribution and income. Even in remote areas without a connection to the grid it would be possible to store produce economically using solar-powered systems and thereby increase earnings. According to estimates of the WHO, on average 30 % , and as much as 50 % in tropical countries, edible produce goes to waste due to a lack of proper storage and refrigeration. In the same way essential medicines and vaccines have to be constantly cooled. In many warm countries like Sri Lanka, air conditioning and refrigeration are prerequisites for the development of a competitive industry. Without air conditioning, the growing industrial nations cannot cope with their growth rates. This does, however, give rise to problems such as very high energy costs and overloading of energy suppliers. The workshop organised by GIZ- SME Development program together with Sri Lanka Fruit Processors Association (SLFPA) looked at international perspectives, trends and developments in green cooling, national prospects for Sri

Lanka, investment and operational costs and financial incentives available for such initiatives. Sri Lanka Fruit Processors Association President Sunanda Weerasinghe said: “The world that is becoming warmer desperately needs an effective and sustainable cooling solution, and especially a green solution. The world needs a solution that is energy-efficient, and ozone- and climate-friendly. The need for environmentally-friendly refrigerators, freezers, air-conditioning is all over.” “Air-conditioning and refrigeration are part and parcel of the business activities in many areas of the food processing industry. Beginning from the fields when crops are harvested, stored and transported, leading toward the many and varied processes which add value, lend food safety and ensure long storage, and until procured by the consumer for consumption. Throughout this long process the cooling chain plays a vital role in helping the food industry. Without the help of refrigeration a very large percentage of produced food would be wasted and many food processes would not be possible too,” Weerasinghe said. Representatives from Ministry of Technology and Research, Ministry of Environment and Renewable Energy, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Industry and Commerce along with private sector representatives from Cargills (Ceylon) PLC, Ceylon Cold Stores and Expolanka participated in the workshop.

On behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB), GIZ’s Proklima program is addressing these and related environmental issues concerning various applications of cooling and foam blowing technologies available for transfer into partner countries to assist them in developing “green growth economies”. Proklima’s services comprise policy advice and capacity development for governments, training and qualification, and pilot projects for industry partners, which facilitate green technology transfer and help to promote a sustainable future. Through the Sri Lankan-German SME Development Program, implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance and Planning, GIZ aims to support a cohesive policy framework that enables SME to grow in an inclusive and eco-friendly manner, enhance competitiveness of SME due to technology transfer and innovation, improve access to finance, and enable SME to take advantage of green technologies and maintain nature’s capital for sustainable growth. The project works with the Ministry of Technology and Research on topics related to technology transfer. The SME Development Program is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in Germany.