Refrigeration technology for online retail (e-grocery): Freshness to the last mile
The online grocery trade is growing rapidly – and with it the demands on intralogistics. Fulfillment centers and dark stores often have to be set up in record time and be highly flexible. cold.world ENGINEERING understands the dynamics of e-commerce: we plan scalable refrigeration concepts that efficiently serve different temperature zones and support your “pick performance” with an optimum indoor climate.
High-speed logistics needs high-end refrigeration
In contrast to static pallet warehouses, fulfillment centers have many people (pickers) and automation technology working in a confined space. Our planning therefore focuses on three pillars:
- Multi-temp solutions: Meat (+2°C), dairy (+4°C), fruit (+10°C) and frozen food (-22°C) often have to be realized under one roof. We use intelligent CO2 compound systems that cover refrigeration and deep-freezing in a single, efficient cycle.
- Employee comfort: Where people are picking, there must be no draughts. We plan the air flow (e.g. via textile hoses) so that the goods remain cold, but your employees are not exposed to draughts (low-velocity cooling).
- Fast implementation: Time-to-market is crucial. We plan modular system concepts that enable rapid installation and commissioning.
Efficiency booster: heat recovery for crate washers
In the online food trade, thousands of transport crates are produced every day that need to be cleaned. Our approach: We turn your refrigeration system into a heating system. We heat process water to between 60°C and 80°C using heat recovery (especially with CO2 systems). We feed this “free water” directly into your crate washers. This massively reduces your energy costs for cleaning and significantly improves the CO2 footprint of your site.
Our solutions for your fulfillment strategy
1. dark stores & micro-hubs (inner-city) Often in existing buildings with limited space and strict noise protection requirements. We design compact, sound-insulated cooling units (e.g. with propane chillers or quiet CO2 gas coolers) that do not disturb neighbors.
2. large distribution centers (hubs) Central refrigeration supply with natural refrigerants (NH3 or CO2) for maximum efficiency at high capacities. Integration of blast freezers for returns or special processes.
3. automated warehouses (shuttle systems) Planning of refrigeration systems for automated high-bay warehouses, taking into account the waste heat from motors and robotics within the cooled shell.
Frequently asked questions (e-commerce)
Can you install refrigeration systems in rental properties? Yes. Many online retailers rent existing properties. We develop “tenant fit-out concepts” that are modular and can be dismantled or adapted if necessary when moving (e.g. container solutions or compact skids).
Which refrigerant do you recommend for fulfillment centers? CO2 (R744) is usually the first choice. It is safe (non-flammable, non-toxic), covers normal cooling and deep-freezing perfectly and provides hot water for cleaning. It also meets all your investors’ ESG sustainability criteria.