In cold chain logistics, transport refrigeration units (TRUs) are crucial for delivering perishable goods fresh. As consumer demands for quality fresh products rise, along with the growth of e – commerce and the pharmaceutical industry, the TRU market is seeing big changes.
Market Trends
Multi – temperature control is in high demand. For example, Carrier Transicold’s vector8811mt for center – divide trailers can manage two climate zones independently, with a 15 – inch space between evaporators, increasing cargo capacity by 17%.
Geographically, while North America has led, Asia – Pacific is growing fast. With a rising middle – class in China and India, demand for fresh/frozen food and temperature – controlled meds is booming. China’s road transport refrigeration equipment market may grow at 6.9% CAGR to reach $714.6 million by 2030.
Technological Innovations
1. Energy – Efficiency and Sustainability
Electric and Hybrid TRUs: Due to climate change concerns, the industry is moving towards electric and hybrid TRUs. They emit less and can cut long – term operating costs as they consume less energy.
Solar – Powered Refrigeration: Solar panels on refrigerated vehicles or containers are becoming more common. Solar energy is clean and can replace or supplement traditional fuel, reducing emissions.
2. Smart and Connected Technologies
IoT – Enabled Monitoring: Smart sensors in TRUs provide real – time data on temperature, humidity, etc. This helps operators monitor goods, spot problems early, and take action to prevent cargo spoilage.
Predictive Maintenance: Using IoT and data analytics, manufacturers can predict TRU failures and schedule maintenance. This reduces unplanned downtime and saves costs.
3. Advanced Thermal Management
Cryogenic Cooling: Cryogenic cooling with liquid nitrogen and dry ice offers precise temperature control. It’s great for sensitive products like some meds and high – value produce.
Improved Insulation Materials: New, better insulation materials keep the right temperature with less energy. They’re thinner but more effective, giving more cargo space.
4. Mechanical Innovations
Pressure – Balancing Devices: Zhengzhou Kaixue’s patent for a “refrigerated vehicle refrigeration unit with a pressure – balancing device” helps balance high and low – pressure levels quickly. This boosts compressor start – up and overall cooling, while reducing energy use.
Shock – Absorbing Technologies: Jinan Daisen’s refrigerated vehicle refrigeration unit has shock – absorbing features. It uses buffer mechanisms and other components to reduce vibration, making the unit more stable and lasting longer.
Challenges and Opportunities
The TRU market has challenges. High costs for new tech like reefer unit for electric truck and advanced monitoring systems can stop small – and medium – sized logistics firms. Also, the lack of a good charging infrastructure for electric vehicles holds back electric TRU adoption.
But there are opportunities too. As companies aim for sustainability, there’s a demand for eco – friendly TRU solutions. This lets manufacturers develop cheaper, more efficient green tech. And the need for reliable cold chain logistics in emerging economies is a big market for TRU firms to expand into.
In short, the TRU market is in the middle of a tech revolution. With ongoing innovation in energy – efficiency, smart tech, and thermal management, the future of cold chain logistics looks bright. As the market grows in developed and emerging economies, TRU manufacturers and logistics providers must keep up with new tech and trends.
