From the food and beverage industry to the pharmaceutical industry, temperature regulation lies at the heart of many industries today. Be it a business considering storing temperature-sensitive goods or shipping them, one question commonly rings in the mind: which one is more efficient between refrigerated containers and traditional cold storage? Both have their advantages and disadvantages, and that is what we are going to look at in this blog to point you in the right direction.
What Are Refrigerated Containers?
Refrigerated containers, or more oftenly known as “reefers,” are unique containers fitted out with built-in refrigeration units to provide a specific range of temperature. Such containers are mainly used for moving temperature-sensitive items over long distances, especially in industries related to food, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals.
Other important benefits of refrigerated containers are their very nature of mobility they can be moved by truck, ship, or train, and thus they are very versatile for logistics companies. Besides mere sales, there also exists a hire service for refrigerated containers to allow businesses to rent these units as needed instead of a large capital investment into more traditional cold storage.
What is Traditional Cold Storage?
Traditional cold storage refers to large, fixed facilities equipped with refrigeration systems designed to keep goods at a constant, low temperature. These are typically used for bulk storage of perishable goods and can be found in warehouses, supermarkets, and distribution centres.
While traditional cold storage has been a staple in the industry for decades, it requires a significant investment in infrastructure, utilities, and maintenance. However, it’s often the go-to solution for long-term storage of perishable items.
Comparing Efficiency: Refrigerated Containers vs Traditional Cold Storage
Various factors have been considered in choosing between refrigerated containers and traditional cold storage, including flexibility, energy efficiency, cost, and environmental impact. We look a little closer at these areas for the efficiencies of each option.
- Flexibility and Mobility
No other system can compete with the flexibility offered by refrigerated containers. First, they are portable; this functionality provides the possibility of relocating goods from one location to another without a break in the cold chain. If you need to ship perishable goods overseas or require on-site cold storage for an event, refrigerated container hire seems a cost-effective and flexible solution.
On the other hand, it is considered that cold storage traditionally entails stationary storage without mobility. While these facilities are good for long-term bulk storage, they do not offer as much flexibility as cold storage shipping refrigerated containers to businesses that move goods quite frequently.
Final Thought: Refrigerated containers are more flexible, mostly for businesses operating seasonally or on mobile storage platforms.
- Energy Efficiency
Considering the two, energy efficiency becomes a substantial issue. Old cold storage requires big refrigeration units, which consume a lot of energy, particularly when space is large but to be managed. The larger the facility, the more the energy required to keep it cool in good condition.
On the other hand, refrigerated containers are less in size and have better energy efficiency. Advanced modern technology has equipped new refrigerated shipping containers with such features that ensure optimal temperature control while using much lesser energy. This not only saves on energy bills but also cuts down on the environmental footprint.
Final Thought: The refrigerated containers generally provide more efficiency in energy usage, most times for smaller and short-term operations.
- Cost-Effectiveness
Cost is always a factor. In the case of traditional cold storage, construction, refrigeration systems, and maintenance are some of the high investments in the initial costs. Other operational expenses include electricity, repair charges, and staffing expenses.
On the other hand, refrigerated container hiring is considered a cost-effective solution, especially for those organisations that do not have to maintain long-term storage. You can hire a container for whatever period you need and avoid expensive investments in such a venture. For those businesses averaging annual storage needs, refrigerated container rentals are an economical way out in the off-season.
Final Thought: Refrigerated containers present a more economical proposition for businesses whose needs for storage are temporary or in the short run. However, traditional cold storage is more cost-efficient for long-term, high-volume storage.
- Temperature Control and Versatility
These temperatures ranged from freezing to chilled conditions for both the refrigerated containers and traditional cold storage. However, refrigerated containers are more flexible. In application, they could be on-site at each construction site, festival, or event in relevance and can easily be adjusted to meet specific temperature specifications accordingly.
Traditional cold storage is usually created for bulk purposes and does not facilitate customised needs. A customised cold storage facility may require different levels of temperatures, necessitating you to invest in separate cold rooms, which is rather expensive and cumbersome.
Final Thought: Refrigerated containers are more versatile in relation to temperature control and usage.
- Environmental Impact
In fact, for any industry, environmental sustainability has become a big concern. Traditional cold storage facilities have large-scale refrigeration systems, which lead to a higher environmental impact, as energy consumption increases, with the uses of refrigerants contributing to global warming in some cases.
For the same reason, refrigerated containers leave an ecological footprint far less than that. In recent years, modern containers have been designed to contain environmentally friendly refrigerants and use lower energy consumption due to technological advances. In addition, since these units come with wheels, they facilitate greater numbers of items stored and moved in the same unit, precluding unnecessary waste from handling.
Final Thought: Refrigerated shipping containers are, in general terms, greener, in particular with newer, more power-efficient units.
Which is More Efficient?
When it comes to determining which option is more efficient, the answer lies largely in your needs.
For long-term, bulk storage, the more traditional cold storage facilities may be more in line with capacities required and scale of operations.
Refrigerated containers would certainly be more effective in those cases where businesses require flexibility and mobility, since they provide temporary and mobile solutions with much lower initial investments and energy efficiency by default.
If your business has fluctuating needs for storage, then refrigerated container hire would be the best option. In contrast, on the other hand, a cold storage facility may apply to businesses dealing by volume in perishable merchandise that require long-term storage facilities.
Summary
Both refrigerated containers and traditional cold storage have their benefits, but the right choice depends on your specific operational needs. For businesses looking for flexibility, mobility, and energy efficiency, refrigerated shipping containers offer a superior solution. On the other hand, traditional cold storage is still an efficient option for businesses that need long-term, bulk storage of perishable goods.
Whether you are looking to sell refrigerated containers or wish to hire a refrigerated container, knowledge of the major differences between these two will help you in deciding and choosing the best option that fits your company’s needs.