What are the benefits of IoT in the cold chain?

The Internet of Things (IoT or IoD) is playing an increasingly important role within companies. And refrigeration professionals are well aware of this. But how do we explain the growing success of the IoT, and why is its use now indispensable throughout the cold chain? We explain.

What is the Internet of Things?

First of all, let’s define IoT. The Internet of Things (or IoD) refers – as its name suggests – to the interconnection between objects and the Internet. To achieve this, the equipment concerned is equipped with a computer system linked to a wireless network.

Connected objects can take many forms, from complex medical devices to simple coffee machines. This technology – when used in a professional context – enables, among other things:

• retrieve data in real time;
• analyze this data for strategic purposes;
• ensure better steering ;
• maintain remote control;
• to be alerted in case of failure.

For your information, a study by Ademe and Arcep published in January 2022 claims that at that time there were around 244 million connected objects in France.

Why has integrating IoT into the cold chain become essential?

Every year in France, 13,000 people go to hospital with food poisoning. Logical explanations include a break in the cold chain or poor food preservation. It has to be said that between the harvesting and production of foodstuffs, storage, delivery and shelving, significant temperature variations can occur. To give you an idea, the absence of efficient refrigeration systems results in the loss of around 526 million tonnes of food every year.

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To ensure optimal monitoring of these products, the IoT appears infinitely more reliable than simple manual readings. With the right equipment, you can :

• ensure continuous, high-performance refrigeration production;
• detect possible refrigerant leaks and related breakdowns and losses of goods;
• ensure that each product is traceable and kept cold;
• reduce the environmental impact of refrigeration by cutting direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions;
• optimize the operation of refrigeration systems by monitoring their energy consumption (as a reminder, this accounts for around 50% of a supermarket’s final consumption).

In addition to these health concerns, integrating the IoT within the cold chain offers many advantages to a company. Whether from a logistical, economic or, in some cases, even ecological point of view, the benefits of the Internet of Things – and by extension Industry 4.0 – are winning over more and more decision-makers every year.

What are the benefits of IoT for refrigeration professionals?

For professionals who have to manage low-temperature goods on a daily basis, the Internet of Things has become an indispensable tool. It is the obvious solution to many of the problems they encounter (lack of reliability, absence of data, etc.). Thanks to the IoT, essential information can be obtained on the operation of installations. The result is more efficient management through optimized use of the equipment installed.

So, when it comes to the benefits of installing a computerized system on refrigeration equipment, the first thing that comes to mind is the consistency and, above all, the accuracy of the readings. There’s no need to manually check that refrigerators and freezers are working properly. Data collected in real time is sent automatically to the web application. They can be used, for example, to monitor the tightness of systems, the efficiency of refrigeration production or, more generally, the associated level of energy consumption.

In fact, it’s from this harvested data that the beneficiaries of an IoT system can derive the greatest benefit: early detection of equipment failures and refrigerant leaks. As a result, companies can make substantial savings, both in terms of energy and money.

It’s also worth noting that setting up an IoT system is recognized as being simple and inexpensive overall. Taking the Matelex solution as an example, no changes are required to the refrigeration plant. All you need to do is ensure that your installations are equipped with a HP liquid tank, and you’re ready to go!

Last but not least, remote data collection means better preparation for interventions, and above all, an end to unnecessary travel. It is no longer necessary to visit each site independently. You’ll be able to manage your refrigeration plant fleet more effectively, thanks to an overall view of it, and intervene only when necessary.

IoT: a fast-growing market that’s winning over more and more businesses

Although France has lagged behind its European neighbors, more and more companies are turning to Industry 4.0 and gradually integrating IoT into their processes. In fact, according to the Révélations IoT 360 study, 24.7% of French companies surveyed were in the process of deploying a solution in 2023, compared with just 10.5% in 2022.

In a similar vein, we might mention a study carried out by IDC for Kyndryl in 2022. Here, we discover that 48% of companies surveyed claim to be maintaining a stable budget in this area, while 43% say they wish to increase their envelope devoted to IoT.

In short, the Internet of Things is now a priority for many companies seeking to expand their business. Among the reasons cited, a study conducted by the PwC Group among business leaders mentions, in order of priority:

• modernize the brand through new skills ;
• continue to do what we know how to do faster and more efficiently;
• change the company’s business model and redefine its strategic approach;
• integrate new markets.

PolarVisor, a complete tool with multiple possibilities

PolarVisor takes the form of a web application associated with Matelex solutions. In simple terms, measurements taken on installations equipped with a DNI (intelligent level detector) and an Energy Module are transferred to PolarVisor, where they are analyzed and displayed in the form of clear indicators.