What is a Cold Storage Facility, Benefits, and Uses Explained?
In today’s business era, maintaining the proper temperature is crucial for the storage of perishable and temperature-sensitive products throughout the supply chain. The retail food and pharmaceutical industry comes higher in this regard. Without a cold storage facility, there would be hardship in several industries. However, if you are new to these industries, you might not know what a cold storage facility is.
This blog explores the key aspects of cold storage facilities, benefits, uses and more. By the time you reach the end of the blog, you understand choosing the right location for the storage facility and how to build a cold storage facility. With that in mind, let's get started!
What is a Cold Storage Facility?
Before we go into the details regarding the benefits and uses of cold storage facilities, let's first talk about cold storage facilities in brief. So, what is a cold storage facility? In a simpler form, a cold storage facility is a specialised form of facility. This is designed to store the perishable products at a controlled temperature to preserve their freshness. These perishable items can be anything from foods, pharmaceuticals and other temperature-sensitive products.
Not only do these facilities prevent wastage, but they also help in stockpiling large amounts of goods that can be distributed even during a shortage. Further, this cold storage may also include a temperature regulation system, insulation, monitoring equipment and refrigerated system based on the specific requirement of the cold storage.
Who Needs Cold Storage?
As you may have guessed from the definition, cold storage is required for a variety of industries for storing perishable goods that have a very short shelf life. Depending on the needs, some industries need cold storage more than others. We have prepared a list of industries that need cold storage in their businesses.
- Meat and Poultry Industry
- Diary and Ice Cream Industry
- Agriculture Sector
- Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare Industry
- Chemical Industry
- Brewery and wine Industry
- Floral Industry
- Cosmetic companies
- Skincare companies
- Retail food industry
- High-end restaurants
- Groceries stores
- Importer and exporter
Importance of Cold Storage Facilities
As mentioned previously, cold storage facilities are maintained at low temperatures in order to preserve perishable and reactive goods. Besides the obvious reasons, here are some of the other importance of cold storage facilities.
- Cold storage keeps items frozen at the desired temperature. This constant cold temperature prolongs the shelf-life of perishable and temperature-sensitive goods.
- When food is stored at a lower temperature and humidity level at the cold storage facility, it preserves its nutrients from being lost due to the extreme temperature change in the environment.
- It enhances the overproduction during the peak season and then distributes them evenly throughout the year. This helps streamline the supply chain along with lessening the dependency on seasonal availability and further reducing the price fluctuation present in the market.
- Cold storage facilities can regulate the temperature required for pharmaceutical products such as vaccines, drugs and medicinal supplies. This helps in preserving its effectiveness and potency.
- A cold room reduces the risk of contamination by maintaining a controlled temperature. The temperature is kept at an appropriate level that delays the growth of organisms in the cold storage facility.
- The use of cold storage facilities results in the industry making more profit and maintaining the health of its consumers.
These are just some of the advantages of using cold storage facilities. Depending on who needs cold storage, investing in a cold storage facility could be a great decision for storing a large number of perishable products at an appropriate temperature. Regardless we just provided you with the general idea regarding the importance of cold storage.
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What are Cold Storage Facilities Used For?
Cold storage facilities are one of the best ways to preserve perishable goods and enhance their viability. But you may wonder what the cold storage facility is used for. Answering your queries, here are some of the industries that opt for cold storage facilities to gain the ability of bulk storage.
1. Meat and Poultry Industry
Meat and poultry products, including raw and processed meat, tend to have shorter shelf life. Thus, a low temperature is provided for this product to prevent spoilage. The cold storage facility, with temperature control, can prevent bacterial growth and extend their shelf life. This, in turn, helps your business to add extra income and safeguard the well-being of the consumers.
2. Pharmaceutical and Healthcare
It goes without saying that the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry cannot function without the cold storage facility. They play a vital role in preserving temperature-sensitive drugs, vaccines and other medical products. Further, a cold storage facility is used for the storage of blood and blood products, maintaining the integrity of biological samples and complying with regulatory standards.
3. Agriculture Industry
Just like the meat industry, we are already aware that agricultural products, including vegetables and fruits, have shorter life spans. The cold room can help in improving its shelf life and preserve its nutritional value. Therefore, the cold storage facility is crucial in the agricultural sector to prevent it from going bad before it reaches the market.
4. Dairy and Ice Cream Industry
Last but not least, the dairy and ice cream industry cannot function properly without the cold storage facility. These facilities prevent raw dairy products such as milk, cheese, butter and manu more from spoilage due to temperature spoilage over the time period of time. They also prevent the ice cream from melting due to high ambient temperature. The temperature inside the cold storage facility is customised to meet the requirements of various ice cream and dairy products.
Also Learn: The Role of Cold Storage in Pharmaceuticals
Types of Cold Storage Systems
The various businesses have different requirements regarding choosing the cold storage system for storing the perishable products. They, in general, come in a wide range of categories and types. While many factors determine the specific types of cold storage systems, they are typically grouped by the temperature they need to maintain. Regardless, here are the types of cold storage systems.
1. High-temperature cold storage
In high-temperature cold storage, the temperature is kept at +10°C and above. This type of cold storage is required for products that require cooling conditions but not freezing. This is ideal for storing items such as fresh vegetables, fruits, beverages and some dairy products, it is also used in the banana ripening and mushroom growing chambers. The temperature ranges help maintain the quality and freshness of the product.
2. Medium-temperature cold storage
As compared to high-temperature cold storage, the medium-temperature cold storage temperature ranges between -10°C and +10°C. This type of cold storage room is used for materials and products that require a colder environment but do not require deep freezing. It is ideal for storing dairy products, processed meat and specific types of pharmaceuticals. Medium-temperature cold storage keeps the balance between preserving and extending shelf life.
3. Low-temperature cold storage
Low-temperature cold storage rooms have temperature that goes below freezing. The temperature range of this type of cold storage room ranges between -10°C and -30°C. Therefore, they are designed for items that need to be kept freezing for longer periods. This category of cold storage is particularly used for fish, meat and ice cream. The low temperature is used for maintaining the texture, flavour and nutritional value of the frozen goods.
4. Ultra-low temperature cold storage
Last but not least, ultra-low-temperature cold storage has very low-temperature ranges. The storage temperature ranges between -30°C and -40°C. Ultra-low temperature cold storage is used for products that require extremely low temperatures to preserve their integrity. This includes certain medical and pharmaceutical products, biological samples and specialised frozen foods and along with these it is mainly used for blast freezing purpose. The ultra-low temperature allows rapid pull down of the temperature which helps maintaining the quality of the product after blast freezing.
The types of cold storage mentioned above were based on the temperature range however they can be classified based on other parameters as well like storage volume, material of construction, product to be stored, and many more.
Benefits of Cold Storage Facilities
By now, you must be aware that there are several advantages of using cold storage facilities. This ranges from preservation of the perishable products to saving the cost in the long run. With this in mind, let's take a closer look at the key benefits of cold storage rooms.
1. Prolonging Shelf-life of Fruits and Vegetables
One of the major benefits of cold storage facilities is that they increase the lifespan of fruits and vegetables. Whether it is a warehouse refrigeration or a controlled atmosphere, they can both regulate the gases through the precision device. This, in turn, can decrease the oxygen level within the premises, and the respiration in the post-harvested products is greatly reduced. As a result, the business has no need to worry about the freshness of seasonal fruits that can only be produced in a few months.
2. Temperature Control
Along with prolonging the shelf life of perishable items, cold storage facilities are specifically designed for accessible temperatures based on the requirement of stored goods. That said, you can also remotely handle the regulation of temperature regardless of what industry you are involved in.
3. Cost-Effective
Another benefit of the cold storage facility is that it offers a cost-saving option and bulk storage. An initial investment is required in the cold storage set-up. However, later saving from preserving the products as it prioritises longevity and it is all worth it. You can enjoy waste reduction, and The advanced technologies allows for energy-saving techniques.
4. Time-Saving
We all know it is quite challenging to handle temperature-sensitive, temperature-perishable products. Here the cold storage facility comes into play, giving you the ability to store a large amount of the products in ample space. This smart storing of the products allows you to keep all the items in a single location for smooth inventory management. Over time, you enjoy the decrease in frequent deliveries that save up your time used in commuting.
5. Chemical Storage
In the chemical industry, volatile chemicals may be subject to sudden change. They require stable temperatures in cold storage. Another key advantage of the cold storage facility is that you can store temperature-sensitive chemicals by controlling the temperatures. If this feature is installed, then you can keep the chemicals for a longer period at a lower temperature for later use during the chemical reaction.
6. Health and Safety
Although refrigeration in the cold storage facility doesn't get rid of microorganisms, it halts their growth by placing them in a state of stasis, slowing down the enzymatic reaction, thereby preventing the moss, moulds and fungi from growing. This results in keeping the post-harvested produce fresh and nutritional value in place when they reach the consumers. When not stored properly, these products can be hazardous to health and deteriorate with time, leading to severe loss.
These are some of the benefits of a cold storage facility in your business. Besides the ones we mentioned above, there are other key advantages depending on your individual circumstances. Regardless, we hope you understand the overall benefits.
Also Read: Cold Storage for Vegetables and Fruits: Benefits & Importance
Choosing the Right Location for Your Cold Storage Facility
The area of your cold storage facility greatly influences the efficiency of its operation and the expenses involved in running it. Before you decide to choose the right location for installing your cold storage facilities, keep the following things in mind.
1. Transportation Infrastructure
The location of your cold storage facility contributes to the final quality of the products. You should locate your facilities near the transportation hub. By doing this, you not only minimise transportation expenses or travel time but also provide easy access to highways, seaports, and airports to retailers.
2. Energy Expenses
The cold storage facilities require constant refrigeration and temperature regulation. As a result, the general energy cost is higher here. That's why It is a good idea to select a location that provides you with a cost-effective and dependable source of energy. This, in turn, helps you to cut down the operational costs in the long run.
3. Understand the local regulations.
Aside from keeping the energy cost down, make sure you are aware of any local zonal regulations, building codes and necessary permits while establishing and running the facility. Adhering to these laws keeps you out of legal trouble and also enhances the safety aspects of your cold storage facility.
By following these guidelines carefully, you should be able to choose the ideal location that increases supply chain management and reduces the overall operational cost. This, in turn, improves the performance of your cold storage facility.
Factors to Consider Before Building a Cold Storage Facility
Before embarking on the construction process of the cold storage facility, it is crucial to keep several aspects in mind. The factors include location, storage requirement and refrigeration system. Let's take a look at the factors you need to take into account if you wish to build an ideal cold storage facility.
1. Location
One of the major factors to consider here is the location to set up your cold storage facility. In simpler words, the facilities should be set up within the proximity to consumers. This is quite beneficial in reducing the cost of transportation and cost-saving regarding the deliveries. Further, the location of the facility needs easy access to transportation hubs such as highways, airports or sea ports.
2. Regulatory Compliance
While constructing the cold storage facility, the company that requires storing and distributing the perishable products has to adhere to the strict safety regulations of HACCP and FDA standards, which should comply with the law. Furthermore, meeting construction and building regulations utilising eco-friendly methods plays a vital role here. Failure to meet these standards means the risk of legal trouble and monetary loss besides the loss of reputation in the scenario.
3. Design and Construction
Before you decide to build a cold storage facility, it is important to note the design and construction of the entire infrastructure, including insulation, floor plan, design of the dock, and free space. This means, insulation of walls, floor, and ceiling with high-quality materials. Ensure that the floor is able to beat the freezing temperature and can support large weights. Further, you can increase the storage capacity by optimising the storage layout with a rack system for utilising the free spaces.
4. Cost and Finance
Not just design and construction but building the best cold storage facility also requires a higher amount of investment regarding the insulation, refrigeration system, temperature monitoring device and backup power supplies. Along with these, you also need to remember the cost associated with staff, electricity cost and regular maintenance. That’s why it is important to do thorough research regarding the possible costs and understand the financial feasibility and ROI of your cold storage facility.
Conclusion
Cold storage facilities for the purpose of storage or transportation are on the rise in demand, with the need to store perishable or temperature-sensitive products for a longer duration. That said, your cold storage facility can range from a single cold room to full facilities. These factors are based on the inventory you want to store, whether it's pharmaceuticals, food or dairy products.
In this blog, we discuss the key benefits, uses and factors to consider while building a cold storage facility. We hope you find this helpful. If you seek further insight into the other aspects of cold storage facilities, do check out some of our other blogs. Thank you for reading till the end. If you are looking for reliable cold rooms and transport refrigeration (Reefer Truck/Vans), contact, Nepcool for the best cold storage manufacturer in Nepal.
FAQs on Cold Storage Facility
1. What temperature should a cold storage facility be maintained at?
The temperature at which a cold storage facility should usually be maintained ranges from -4 °C to 8 °C. In general, however, the temperature varies on the goods being stored.
2. How to build a cold storage facility?
To build a cold storage facility, reliable to use, you need to pay attention to the following factors.
- Location
- Design and Construction
- Cost and Finance
- Insulation
- Refrigeration
- Temperature control
- Safety
- Water
- Insurance
3. How long can perishable goods be stored in a cold storage facility?
The length of time for perishable goods to be stored in a cold storage facility differs based on the specific product and unique quality. Adhering to industrial standards and making routine checks for their expiration date keeps them fresh and nutritious over a longer period.
4. How can I reduce food waste in my cold storage facility?
In order to reduce food waste in your cold storage facility, you follow a few steps. Some of the key methods include.
- Incorporate the best and most effective inventory management practice in place.
- Regularly monitoring the quality of the product
- Check the expiry date and do a stock rotation
- Collaborate with the customers and suppliers to control demand and prevent overstocking.