TechEmerge, an innovation platform of the International Finance Corporation, part of the World Bank, is on a mission to demonstrate that state-of-the-art technologies and new business models can make temperature-controlled logistics efficient, affordable, and sustainable in Nigeria.
In collaboration with Kobo360—an e-logistics platform operating across Africa that connects truckers to customers—TechEmerge will match innovators across the world with leading companies in Nigeria to pilot sustainable cooling solutions that reduce losses in supply chains, strengthen access to TCL-dependent products and markets, and build commercial partnerships.
On 14th June, we were delighted to be informed by the IFC TechEmerge team that, together with our local Nigerian partners and technology adopters, TAK Logistics and Lange & Grant, we had been awarded funding for the first pilot project for the development of a refrigerated storage and distribution facility for soft fruits and vegetables to be developed on the site of TAK Logistics’ existing grain storage facility in Abuja.
Why TCL? TCL is crucial for both producers and consumers to participate in the $10+ billion global market for perishable products. Currently, Nigeria accounts for a very small slice of that market, but it offers long-term opportunities for those who enter at this nascent stage.
Wayne Phillips, Head of Engineering at ChillTech, commented: “Our waste heat-driven chillers are ideally suited to this market, given the predominance of diesel generation, whether for back-up or as the main source of power, giving the user his chilling for free from the waste heat of the generator.”
Michael Keane, Executive Chairman of ChillTech, commented further: “We are very excited to be part of this critical initiative. Food losses due to lack of a proper cold chain are running at a rate of 50% in Nigeria. If we can deliver a managed and sustainable cooling solution for storage and distribution of fresh produce, we can make major inroads into reducing this number. The benefits – economic, social and in terms of reducing the carbon footprint of cooling solutions – for producers, distributors, retailers and consumers, alike, will be very considerable. In addition, these solutions can be applied across the whole of sub-Saharan Africa, as well as in other parts of the Global South which suffer from lack of cold chain and also rely upon diesel generators for power, due to the absence of a reliable electrical grid infrastructure.”
With capacities of between 18 kW and 300 kW, and temperature ranges of 3C to 18C, we deliver cold storage solutions with zero fuel cost and zero CO2. Our chillers can be run off waste heat from any generator, including hydrogen, and also off direct fired heat, or biomass. We are actively working on solar solutions as well, such that our technology can be deployed in almost any situation.
With cooling capacities from 4 kW to 7 kW, designed for refrigeration of trailers up to 40/50’, and temperature ranges from 3-18C, our thermal compressor TRUs run off the engine exhaust gases, providing 100% cost- and CO2-free refrigeration. Back-up power from gas and solar is also provided, making the unit entirely self-contained.
Zero2Cool offers highly efficient, reliable cooling and heating units designed to fit easily into any existing air conditioning system. Both our stand-alone and externally powered models deliver a significant reduction in cooling emissions and energy costs at far higher ambient temperatures than other solutions.