Thermo King Recognizes STAF With Energy Efficiency Leader Award
STAF, a leader in refrigerated retail transport serving the greater metropolitan Paris area, has expressed a growing interest in the cryogenics solution developed by Thermo King. This innovative sustainable cooling technology reduces carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, noise and maintenance costs and improves performance and load protection.
Thermo King, a manufacturer of transport temperature control solutions for a variety of mobile applications and a brand of Ingersoll Rand, honored STAF’s commitment to energy and operational efficiency and sustainability by presenting the company with the “Energy Efficiency Leader Award.”
Dwight Gibson, vice president of transport solutions for truck and trailer for Thermo King in Europe, the Middle East, India and Africa, presented the award to Kara Mendjel, chief executive officer of STAF.
Since a successful test pilot in 2011, STAF has converted five delivery trucks to the new CryoTech refrigeration unit using recycled R-744 refrigerant in a unique open-loop system to achieve a significant reduction in emissions and superior performance compared to conventional diesel powered units. STAF has cut their CO2 emissions by approximately 44,560 kg annually with the new solution without any compromise to refrigeration performance.
The switch will enable STAF to meet PIEK low-noise requirements and the regulations regarding priority air action zones or Zone d’Actions Prioritaires pour l’Air (ZAPA). The French authorities have started implementing experimental ZAPA and banning highly pollutant vehicles from low emission zones to improve air quality in urbanized zones.
“Innovation has always given us a strategic competitive edge at STAF,” says Kara Mendjel, chief executive officer of STAF. “We’re very pleased that the Thermo King CryoTech refrigeration units go beyond increasing sustainability, optimizing performance and reducing costs to actually anticipate regulatory and commercial requirements, creating a win on all fronts.”
The CryoTech refrigeration units offer the industry’s quietest refrigeration solution and substantially exceed the demanding PIEK low-noise standard, which make them ideal for the demands of distribution in dense urban areas such as Paris and its surrounding suburbs.
Transport distribution in large cities generally mean frequent door openings, allowing ambient air to enter the cargo space, raising temperature and risking damage to the load. The CryoTech units offer quick temperature recovery and precision temperature control. This in turn reduces the risk of product spoilage and extends shelf-life of the transported produce.
“Thermo King is pleased to offer proven cryogenic technology, backed up by more than a decade of experience with this innovative technology,” says Eric Lunven, managing director of Paris Froid Services, the local Thermo King dealer. “CryoTech offers a sustainable alternative that is ideally suited to the rigorous demands of an urban distribution operation. Our in-house expertise will ensure that STAF continues to experience a seamless transition to the new technology.”
