Cold Chains and Temperature-Controlled Logistics

Rising temperatures and increased heat are putting a strain on sectors such as food and pharmaceuticals. Already one third of food produced is lost, mostly due to inadequate cold chains. Unbroken cold chains are essential for production and delivery of vital medicines and vaccines.

Even transportation that does not require cold chains is being plagued by increased heat. In warehousing, companies that used to rely on passive cooling strategies are finding they have to turn to air-conditioning in order to ensure workers’ comfort and to prevent spoilage of the products transported.

The market for cold chain – a temperature-controlled supply chain for perishable and temperature-sensitive goods like food and medicine – is expected to reach $160 billion in annual investment by 2050 in emerging markets. IFC is looking for innovators that can provide solutions to transportation and warehousing companies along the value chain. This may include first- and last-mile delivery, shipping and transportation, and storage – both through cold chain elements and as adaptation to rising heat for maintaining normal temperatures. The call for innovators will be implemented on a rolling basis as our network of adopters (see the following tab) expands through IFC’s ongoing client-focused efforts.