“Apart from the cold storages, there has been commendable progress seen in the international scene of cold chain transportation. Today in the developed countries, majority of the perishable products are transported through reefer vehicles only. However, recently In India also these reefer route has picked up considerably. Reefer Trucks demand has been increased since the growth has been seen in the food sector”– Mr. Sourav Jindal, MD, Jindal Mectec Pvt. Ltd.

Cold storage plays very vital role to preserve perishable food items. India has around 6500 cold storage facilities, with a capacity of approx. 30 million tonnes. However, some 75-80 per cent of these refrigerated warehouse are suitable only to store potatoes. it is a commodity that produces only 20 per cent of the total agricultural revenue. However, now the market is gradually getting organised and focused towards the development of multi-purpose smart cold storages.

India is a state which need to expand the cold storage capacity to generate maximum revenue from the farming sector. To increase agriculture production and to preserve the perishable commodities, various state government is taking initiative to expand cold storage facilities in their respective state. Recently Odisha Government has decided to set up 150 new cold storages under PPP mode by 2019.

India’s cold chain industry is unorganized and operating below the capacity. However, the “Insulated Sandwich” panels have contributed immensely in order to make technologically improved, quick and cost-effective solution for cold storages. Nowadays, large cold storage units for storing multiple commodities under one roof are being majorly developed with these Insulated panels. These panels are faster to construct, can help to achieve faster ROI and better aesthetics in comparison to other conventional solutions.

The efficiency, hygiene and life of a cold storage is depending on these panels. For construction of cold storage, PUF (Polyurethane) panels are designed specifically as per required application, and manufactured according to the international quality standards at the state-of-the-art facilities. Each part of the cold storage and cold room like walls, ceiling, floor, doors, corners and even T-walls are designed specifically to ensure perfect fit and installation. These panels are not just easily assembled at site. They are easily disassembled too and moved when required.

There are various multi-facility cold storage projects which are manufactured and supplied by Jindal Mectec Pvt. Ltd. and the major completed project is for the “International Mega Food Park” at Fazilka,

Punjab. JMPL is specialised to design, supply and execution of various cold chain projects including:

1) Temperature controlled cold storages

2) Pre- Cooling system

3) Refrigerated Transport systemRetail outlets

5) Cold Room and Research centres

6) Slaughter house and many more.

These Multi-Functional Cold storage projects are having facility of maintaining the temperature of the products right from harvesting, till the product reaches the consumer. The basic structure is made up of Steel and outer skin of Roofing and Cladding consist of PUF/PIR and Rockwool panels. The thickness of the Puf panel varies from 80mm to 150m depending on the temperature requirement inside the building.

These cold storage projects are designed in accordance with AISC Manual of Steel Construction for Primary/Main structure, AISI Cold Formed Steel Design and MBMA for fabrication tolerance with consideration of Live, Dead and Collateral loads. Apart from the cold storages, there has been commendable progress seen in the international scene of cold chain transportation. Today in the developed countries, majority of the perishable products are transported through reefer vehicles only. However, recently In India also these reefer route has picked up considerably. Reefer Trucks demand has been increased since the growth has been seen in the food sector. Increasing demand of ready to eat/cook, Dairy and Pharma products are enhancing the demand of these reefer vehicles. These vehicles regulate the optimum temperature control all through the supply chain and ensures the product reaches to the end user in fresh condition.