Tag: Cool Chain

COOL CHAIN ASSOCIATION LOOKS FOR SOLUTIONS TO IMPROVE PERISHABLES SHELF LIFE USING TRIALS TRACKING EXPORTS FROM FARM TO TABLE

A new study by CCA partner the Perishable Products Export Control Board has tracked cut flower exports from South Africa to Europe to highlight risk areas affecting vase life

Luxembourg and Johannesburg, South Africa, Wednesday 1st March 2023: The Cool Chain Association plans to draft a best practice handling procedure for perishables based on a series of trials tracking perishables exports from farm to table or vase undertaken by CCA partner the Perishable Products Export Control Board (PPECB).

A PPECB pilot trial monitoring cut flower exports from South Africa to Europe traveling last month, has already highlighted the impact of temperature excursions on vase life, according to Vijan Chetty, CCA Board Member and General Manager, PPECB.

The trial was conducted in collaboration with Arnelia Farms, a South African wholesale flower nursery and exporter, and tracked Sunshine Conebush flower consignments packed on-farm near Hopefield in the Western Cape province of South Africa and travelling to destinations in the Netherlands and Germany.

“Trials over the past few years have focused primarily on the final mile of a specific trade lane,” said Chetty, speaking at the Air Cargo Africa Event in Johannesburg, South Africa, last week.

“We will be looking at farm to table or vase across a trade lane, and not only focusing on monitoring the temperature of the product, but also aiming to identify all areas where shelf life could be influenced, including, for example, post-harvest practices, packaging and palletisation, and the functionality of cold storage.”

CCA, which recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the PPECB, will be reviewing the research trials, analysing the activities of stakeholders within the value chain, and identifying possible risk areas, in order to draft a best practice handling procedure for perishable products.

“The handling procedure can be used to train staff to mitigate risks and increase the vase life of flowers and the shelf life of other perishables,” said Chetty.

“The CCA is looking for implementable solutions that the industry can easily initiate.”

The PPECB pilot trial used air temperature loggers on two consignments sent two days apart to monitor variations in cold chain conditions.

Flower consignments were packed in boxes and palletised on-farm, then loaded on a refrigerated truck before taking a two-hour journey to the courier service provider.

The consignments were exported the next day to Europe.

Results showed that mean temperatures reached 10.4°c and 9.3°c for the two consignments, considerably higher than the 5°c recommended for cut flowers.

Although the flowers arrived in acceptable condition, vase life will have been affected by this temperature excursion.

“Quality handling practices and cool chain management are an integrated process that cannot be reviewed in isolation and this trial already shows that post-harvest handling and the first mile of every product plays an important role in determining a product’s quality,” said Chetty.

“Future PPECB trials will also include a focus on the final mile of the product from when the consumer makes the purchase and takes it home.”

PPECB will now undertake trials to include other fast moving perishable items such as berries, and will move on to compare the cool chain, shelf life, and quality of commodities moved by air versus sea.

“CCA members are focused on collaborating to find tangible ways of improving the quality of the temperature-controlled supply chain,” said Stavros Evangelakakis, CCA Chair and Head of Global Healthcare, Cargolux.

“By working with the PPECB on the results of their trials, we can go one step further in helping the industry to reduce perishables waste.”

CCA’s recent initiatives include the establishment of a Technical Committee to drive projects, which will benefit the cool supply chain, including a Risk Management project and a trial of a new perishables label.

The PPECB provides quality certification and cold chain management services for perishable food products intended for export from the Republic of South Africa and has its own in-house research department, analysing quality and food safety standards.

To take part in a Technical Committee project, or to join the CCA, go to coolchain.org.

Temperature Controlled Logistics in Biopharmaceuticals Europe 2023

Exploring Best Practice: Industry Regulations, & More

The Temperature Controlled Logistics in Biopharmaceuticals Europe 2023 conference will be taking place in Milan on the 15th – 16th March.

The 19th edition of this key industry event will address the leading industry issues in a focused and productive setting. Delegates will gain access to real solutions to the challenges they face in cold chain and temperature-controlled logistics.

COOL CHAIN ASSOCIATION WELCOMES FOUR NEW MEMBERS AS IT APPOINTS MIGUEL RODRIGUEZ AS TREASURER

Brussels Airport, Boeing, SATS and Validaide are the latest members to join the growing organisation

Luxembourg, Tuesday 29th November 2022: The Cool Chain Association (CCA) has welcomed Brussels Airport, Boeing, SATS, and Validaide as members and appointed Miguel Rodríguez, Senior Manager Climate Control Products, Qatar Airways, as Treasurer.

The Association, which this year celebrates its 20th anniversary, continues to grow with the vision of facilitating and enabling collaboration, education, and innovation in the temperature-sensitive supply chain amongst its members.

“CCA is focused on finding new ways to collaborate and back initiatives that deliver tangible results,” said Stavros Evangelakakis, Chairman, Cool Chain Association.

“Our ideas are striking a chord with the industry, and we are pleased to welcome our four new members as part of our movement for change.”

Boeing has been working closely with CCA members and recently participated in the CCA’s Pharma Event in Athens, Greece, presenting a case study on the performance of its aircraft’s temperature-controlled capabilities for a consignment of flowers from South America to Europe.

“Boeing is committed to enhancing sustainability in Aviation and is enthusiastic about the opportunity for multiple Boeing organisations, including Boeing Commercial Airplanes – Advanced Concepts, Boeing Research & Technology – Applied Innovation, and Boeing Global Services to work more closely with the CCA and its member companies to achieve their shared goal of making the Cold Chain more sustainable,” said Aaron Black, Strategy Principal, Boeing.

Brussels Airport has re-joined the CCA after a short hiatus to support the organisation’s new drive to deliver programs with tangible results.

Sam Quintelier, Cargo Business Development Manager at Brussels Airport, attended the CCA’s AGM and Perishables event in Rome, Italy earlier this year to demonstrate the airport’s new Perishable Management App developed to tackle wastage, and increase transparency between airline cargo handlers, freight forwarders and authorities.

“Brussels Airport has decided to re-join the CCA as there is a need for more collaboration between stakeholders within the supply chain, specifically for fresh produce. Fresh produce and flowers do not always get the attention they deserve, and Brussels Airport wants to contribute in a positive way to improve that. We believe that the only way to handle these products more efficiently is by working together, so with the CCA we can make a difference,” said Quintelier.  

SATS is the chief ground handling and in-flight catering service provider at Singapore Changi Airport and has developed a Cargo Terminal Network that spans over 10 major locations, such as Hong Kong and Dammam, harnessing innovation, technologies, and talents to feed and connect communities in over 60 locations and 14 countries across the Asia Pacific, UK and the Middle East.

Validaide was founded in 2016 to support the logistics industry with digital solutions for lane risk assessments and supplier qualification.

“The CCA and Validaide share the same vision on the importance of collaboration, education, and innovation in the cold chain industry,” said Eelco De Jong, Co-founder and Managing Director, Validaide.

“It is important for us to remain engaged in data exchange and digital collaboration, having more than 1000 logistics providers on the Validaide platform. The planning of cold chain shipments requires significant information sharing, collaboration, documentation, and decision making across multiple companies. With Validaide we digitise this process for the benefit of all stakeholders, and we look forward to further accelerating this process in partnership with the CCA and its members.”

New treasurer Miguel Rodríguez brings over a decade of experience in air transport including senior roles in the temperature-controlled supply chain at Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways.

“I take on this new challenge to further support the CCA in its mission to continue growing its membership base, attracting talented individuals who want to deliver and contribute to new projects, and providing the industry with solutions and guidance on cool chain transportation”, said Rodríguez.

He replaces Eric Mauroux, Founder and CEO of FreshBizDev, who has served as treasurer since 2018.

“CCA would like to take this opportunity of thanking Eric for his commitment and hard work over the last few years,” said Evangelakakis.

“We wish him the best for his FreshBizDev business and look forward to working with him again soon.”

CCA is currently looking for members to join its Board of Directors.

To find out more and apply, contact Ebele at cca@meantime.global.

Cool Chain Association celebrates its 20th anniversary and signs MoU with Perishable Products Export Control Board

The CCA and the Perishable Products Export Control Board will collaborate on perishables airfreight research initiatives as part of an ongoing drive to help improve the temperature-controlled supply chain

Athens, Greece, Wednesday 7th September 2022: The Cool Chain Association (CCA) is celebrating its 20th anniversary and entering into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Perishable Products Export Control Board (PPECB), which will see collaboration into research initiatives about airfreight of perishables.

CCA was established in 2002 to encourage collaboration in the temperature-controlled supply chain industry in order to reduce food loss and waste in the perishables sector as well as benefiting the pharma community.

The MoU, signed at the CCA’s Airfreight Pharma Event, means that CCA and the PPECB will collaborate on analysing research initiatives into perishable exports by air from South Africa.

“CCA is in a unique position to act as a neutral platform for all sectors in the temperature-controlled supply chain to collaborate on tangible initiatives,” said Stavros Evangelakakis, Chairman, CCA, and Head of Global Healthcare, Cargolux Airlines.

“Our community is celebrating its 20th anniversary at a time when it is more vital than ever to come together to make a difference.

“We are proud that our members continue to do just that and are driving new ideas that will have a lasting legacy.”

CCA’s recent initiatives include the establishment of a Technical Committee to drive projects, which will benefit the cool supply chain, including a Risk Management project and a trial of a new perishables label.

The PPECB provides for the control of perishable products intended for export from the Republic of South Africa and has its own in-house research department, analysing quality and food safety standards.

“The primary aim of the research is to identify gaps in the airfreight value chain and discuss possible mitigation measures with CCA and the airfreight industry at large,” said Vijan Chetty, Board Member, CCA, and General Manager, PPECB.

“The aim is to strengthen standards and educate the role players in the airfreight industry.”

CCA has been steadily growing its membership over the last few months and is planning a new perishables conference for next year.

“Having had the honour of kicking off the creation of the association at TIACA’s Bilbao Air Cargo Forum, I am delighted to wish the Cool Chain Association a very Happy 20th Anniversary,” said Ram Menen, one of the founders of the CCA.

“It has been a real pleasure to watch this association bloom and go from strength to strength and I wish them continued success in the years to come.”

To find out more about joining CCA or taking part in a project for the Technical Committee, contact Ebele Nwakude at cca@meantime.global.

To find out more about the PPECB, visit ppecb.com.

COOL CHAIN ASSOCIATION WELCOMES TIVE TO ITS GROWING MEMBERSHIP ON THE EVE OF ITS PERISHABLES EVENT IN ROME 

Real time tracking solutions company Tive is the latest member to join the Association 

Luxembourg, Tuesday 28th June 2022 : The Cool Chain Association (CCA) has welcomed a new member, real-time tracking company Tive, to its growing membership as it prepares to host a two-day perishables summit in Rome, Italy on July 6th and 7th

Boston, USA – based Tive has developed trackers that transmit real-time shipment data across all modes, including temperature and humidity readings. 

“Cool Chain members are focused on finding ways to collaborate to improve the temperature controlled supply chain and Tive brings knowledge and experience to help us achieve those goals,“ said Stavros Evangelakakis. 

“Our membership has been steadily growing over the last few months and we are excited to welcome a new member, who brings different skill sets to share with our community.” 

Tive’s single-use and multi-use trackers can stream location and condition information for any food or perishables shipment. 

“Having accurate, real-time temperature tracking helps companies manage and maintain their stability budgets,” said Blerta Lataj, Referral Partner Manager at Tive. 

“Real-time, hyper specific location tracking is Tive’s bread and butter, and this service is vital for managing time-critical shipments.”

“We are very happy to become a member of CCA and strongly believe that the values and mission of CCA closely align with our solutions for temperature and time-critical shipments of perishables and the pharma sector.”  

As well as welcoming its new member, CCA has recently launched a Technical Committee project bringing together experts from different fields to tackle issues in the temperature-controlled supply chain. 

The CCA’s Risk Management Committee will be hosting a round table discussion at the Association’s forthcoming Annual General Meeting and perishables summit in Rome, Italy on July 6th and 7th. 

Later in the year, CCA will be part of Airfreight Pharma, on the 5 – 7th September at the Grand Hyatt, Athens, Greece. 

For more information on attending the events, visit coolchain.org 

COOL CHAIN ASSOCIATION CALLS FOR A DIGITAL RISK MANAGEMENT APPROACH TO DRIVE EFFICIENCIES

Moving from a strict contractual framework to collaborative ways of working will reduce inefficiencies and create value across the perishables supply chain, according to CCA Board member Eric Mauroux

Berlin, Germany, Thursday 7th April 2022: Stakeholders across the perishables supply chain should adopt a digital approach to risk management to reduce waste and create value by extending shelf life, Eric Mauroux, Cool Chain Association (CCA) Board member and Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of FreshBizDev told delegates at Fruit Logistica today.

The industry has been slow to adopt new technologies, and a lack of standardised reporting across the supply chain means that the value proposition in perishables logistics can vary enormously across trade lanes.

By sharing data and adopting common Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s), stakeholders from across the cool chain will be able to better understand which temperature excursions need action and plan for smarter logistics solutions, which will reduce waste.

“The cost of claim is not the only criteria to evaluate the cost of inefficiencies,” said Mauroux.

“Value destruction related to reduced shelf-life and waste should also be included when assessing the total logistical cost of a shipment.

“Having a digital approach to risk, which considers the total cost, is an opportunity to better understand the inefficiencies of the supply chain so that we can develop new solutions and build realistic business cases to invest in smarter logistics for the fresh produce trade.”

He said stakeholders should consider moving from a strict contractual framework towards new collaborative ways of working including data-sharing and shared objectives to improve cool chain performance.

“The virtual world is a perfect playground to try out various solutions based on realistic scenarios,” Mauroux said.

“We can collectively create value by improving the shelf life of perishables.”

The CCA has strongly backed a KPI metric for perishables called the Degree-Hour, which takes both temperature and time into consideration to give an absolute figure against which consignments on a given journey can be measured.

Using the metric, temperature excursions are acceptable within a defined bandwidth provided overall Degree-Hours are maintained at a certain score for the shipment across its end-to-end journey.

Mauroux sponsors the CCA’s Risk Management Committee, which includes shipper, airline, and forwarder members, led by Stefan Braun, Managing Director of SmartCAE.

The group is the first Committee under the CCA’s Technical Committee project, which aims to assist, analyse, study, and manage critical control points affecting product quality along the cool chain, as well as developing standards, and initiating projects.

Among the panel alongside Mauroux on the panel were Michael Schotten, Editor in Chief, Fruitnet Media International, Stefan Braun, Managing Director, SmartCAE.

Fruit Logistica is being held at the Berlin Expo centre, Berlin, Germany between 5th and 7th April.

New Risk Management Committee launched

We have launched our first project under the Technical Committee Programme, which aims is to assist, analyse, study, and manage critical points affecting product quality along the cool chain, as well as developing standards, and initiating projects.

Under the sponsorship of our Board member Eric Mauroux, the Risk Management Committee includes shipper, airline, and forwarder members, led by Stefan Braun, Managing Director of SmartCAE.

“The group will focus on developing digital risk management strategies in order to move towards more efficient and smarter pharma and perishable supply chains,” said Mauroux, 

“We will identify case studies to help us adapt solutions, which are cost-effective and sustainable, as key drivers to reducing the risk of waste.”

Committee members include: Rogier Rook, Logistics Director, Nature’s Pride; Kamil Rarak, Special Cargo Product Development and Training Manager; LOT Polish Airline; and, Xavier Ripoll, Sales and Marketing Director, Able Freight, with a pharmaceutical company due to join soon.

“We need to collect the right information and bring trust to the table so that we can come up with smart cost-effective solutions,

understand the actual cost of inefficiencies and move away from over engineered solutions,” said Mauroux.

“CCA is a neutral party that can help reconcile the virtual world with real historical data and develop positive solutions where the total cost reflects what is needed to get the job done.”

Under the Technical Committee program, CCA members who are not Board members can volunteer to become Project Coordinators, responsible for the facilitation of initiatives and the proposal of final solutions to the Board. If you have a project in mind, please contact  cca@meantime.global

Picture caption: Pictured left to right top Kamil Rarak, Special Cargo Product Development and Training Manager, LOT Polish Airlines; Rogier Rook, Logistics Director, Nature’s Pride; left to right bottom Stefan Braun, Managing Director, SmartCAE; Xavier Ripoll, Sales and Marketing Director, Able Freight; and Eric Mauroux, CCA Board member and President of Freshbizdev.

Cool Chain Association welcomes two new members and kicks off its Technical Committee with a risk management project

LOT Polish Airlines and Tower Cold Chain are the latest members to join the Cool Chain Association

Luxembourg, Wednesday 9th February 2022The Cool Chain Association (CCA) has continued to grow its membership with the addition of LOT Polish Airlines and Tower Cold Chain.

The Association, whose members collaborate towards improving quality in the temperature-sensitive supply chain, has also announced the formation of a new committee looking into risk management as part of its Technical Committee programme.

LOT is the sixth airline to join CCA’s growing membership.

“By joining the CCA and taking part in the Risk Management Committee, we hope to create common global standards and work towards a safe environment for handling pharmaceutical and healthcare products across the temperature-controlled supply chain,” said Kamil Rarak, Special Cargo Product Development and Training Manager, LOT Polish Airlines.

“We were awarded the International Air Transport Association Center of Excellence for Independent Validators in Pharmaceutical Logistics (CEIV Pharma) Certificate in 2020 and we are focused on supporting our global business partners in the field of healthcare products.”

Tower Cold Chain, supplies specialist temperature-controlled containers.

“We are delighted to join the CCA and look forward to collaborating to ensure pharmaceuticals are handled and transported by means of robust, reliable, reusable solutions,” said Nick Gilmore, Global Head of Sales and Marketing, Tower Cold Chain.

“Through working together, Tower can better assist the temperature-sensitive supply chain to reduce excursions and waste and improve sustainability, to benefit the pharmaceutical community.”

The CCA’s Risk Management Committee, which held its first full meeting last week, is sponsored by CCA Board member Eric Mauroux, President of Freshbizdev, and includes shipper, airline, and forwarder members, led by Stefan Braun, Managing Director of SmartCAE.

“The group will focus on developing digital risk management strategies in order to move towards more efficient and smarter pharma and perishable supply chains,” said Mauroux,

“We will identify case studies to help us adapt solutions, which are cost-effective and sustainable, as key drivers to reducing the risk of waste.”

Committee members include: Rogier Rook, Logistics Director, Nature’s Pride; Kamil Rarak, Special Cargo Product Development and Training Manager; LOT Polish Airlines; and, Xavier Ripoll, Sales and Marketing Director, Able Freight, with a pharmaceutical company due to join later this week.

The Risk Management Committee is part of CCA’s newly-launched Technical Committee programme, which aims is to assist, analyse, study, and manage critical points affecting product quality along the cool chain, as well as developing standards, and initiating projects.

CCA members who are not Board members can volunteer to become Project Coordinators, responsible for the facilitation of initiatives and the proposal of final solutions to the Board.

CCA Board members sponsor the projects.

The CCA holds two events a year, one for pharmaceuticals and one for perishables. The pharmaceuticals event for this year has been confirmed and will take place in Athens.

Cool Chain Association welcomes temperature-sensitive air freight specialist Challenge Group as its newest member

The CCA continues to grow its global membership, working with companies focused on improving the cool supply chain

Luxembourg, Tuesday 7th December 2021Challenge Group is the latest temperature-sensitive supply chain specialist to join the Cool Chain Association (CCA) as part of its growing membership.

Global air cargo group Challenge’s six companies include cargo airlines, handlers, and logistics services, and its subsidiary carrier CAL Cargo Airlines is a leading carrier of perishables on the Israel to Europe trade lane.

It has a portfolio of temperature-controlled products covering perishables and pharmaceuticals and holds the International Air Transportation Association (IATA) Center of Excellence for Independent Validators in Pharmaceutical Logistics (CEIV) certification for its two airlines, CAL and Challenge Airlines, as well as for Challenge Handling in Liège, Belgium.

CAL Cargo Airlines will join the CCA’s newly developed Technical Committee, with the aim of supporting tangible projects and initiatives to drive improvements in the cool supply chain.

“By joining the CCA, we know we can make a concrete contribution to raise industry standards as an active member of the Technical Committee,” said Gianluca Marcangelo, Senior Manager Cargo Transformation, Challenge Group.

“We are looking forward to networking with other members and enhance  our industry engagement to build strategic and long-term business partnership.”

CAL Cargo Airlines, part of the Challenge Group, was founded in 1976 to service growing export demands of perishable goods out of Tel Aviv, Israel, and has remained committed to delivering quality services for temperature-controlled products, as well as growing its portfolio.

CCA members are focused on driving improved logistics services for the pharmaceutical and perishable sectors.

The CCA launched its Technical Committee earlier this year, to analyse and manage critical points affecting product quality along the cool chain, as well as to develop standards and initiate projects.

“It is important that we work together to deliver tangible solutions for our cool supply chain, that is our focus,” said Nicola Caristo, CCA Secretary General and Airline Partner Manager, SkyCell AG.

“By working with quality-driven experts such as Challenge, we will together make a much-needed difference and we welcome their knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm to help us achieve our goal.”

The CCA holds two networking events a year, one covering perishables and the other on pharmaceuticals.

The CCA aims to host a Pharma and Perishables event in 2022 with details to follow.

The Cool Chain Association launches new logo and website at its seventh global perishables event

The Cool Chain Association (CCA) welcomed over 60 delegates to its Seventh Global Perishables Conference held virtually yesterday

Luxembourg, Thursday 16 September 2021: The Cool Chain Association has launched a new logo and website as part of its drive to grow membership and further support a more quality-driven temperature-sensitive supply chain.

The new branding reflects CCA’s efforts to encourage collaboration in the cool chain community, with the new website providing easy access to information about ongoing projects, as well as downloadable white papers and case studies.

The new look was revealed at the CCA’s Seventh Global Perishables Event attended virtually by over 60 delegates yesterday.

“There has perhaps never been a more pressing time for our community to work together and drive quality in the temperature-sensitive supply chain,” said Stavros Evangelakakis, Chairman, Cool Chain Association (CCA).

“CCA provides a neutral platform to facilitate collaboration with the aim of reducing food loss and waste, as well as benefiting the pharma industry.

“Our new look is a reflection of our renewed vision to grow membership and drive quality-driven change in the industry.”

Delegates at the Perishables Conference were updated on CCA initiatives including its new Technical Committee, which aims to assist, analyse, study, and manage critical points affecting product quality along the value chain, as well as developing standards, and initiating projects.

“We welcome any suggestions for projects that will progress the ambition of the Association to reduce waste and loss and improve the quality, efficiency, and value of the cool supply chain,” said Nicola Caristo, CCA Secretary General; Airline Partner Manager, SkyCell AG.

“It allows us to concentrate efforts and resources on specific topics and projects, whilst showcasing the benefits of joining the Association to cool chain companies through white papers and proof of concept.”

Delegates heard an overview of the perishables market in South Africa from Lucien Jansen, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the conference platinum sponsor PPECB.

The event was also sponsored by shipping line MSC and terminal operator FPT.

Dr Radhika Batra, Founder and President of Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) Every Infant Matters, the CCA’s chosen charity, spoke about reshaping healthcare to make it more accessible.

The CCA holds both perishable and pharma events, with the next event to be held in 2022.

For more information on joining CCA or taking part in one of its programmes go to coolchain.org

To suggest a project for the Technical Committee, contact cca@meantime.global


Working together to improve the temperature-sensitive supply chain to reduce food loss and waste in the perishables sector as well as benefiting the pharma community.

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