Sunswap, a UK clean-tech startup decarbonising cold chain logistics, has today announced that leading transportation services business, DFDS, has ordered the first 10 of its zero-emission ‘Endurance’ transport refrigeration units (TRUs).  DFDS recognised the enormous potential of Sunswap’s technology and committed to ordering the first 10 of the firm’s Endurance units to be manufactured in Surrey, UK.  The order marks the official commercial launch of Sunswap’s technology into the global cold-chain market.

 

Sunswap Endurance combines battery and solar panels mounted on refrigerated trailers to keep temperature controlled goods cold during transport. This zero-emission system replaces traditional diesel-powered transport refrigeration units, offering a sustainable solution for cold chain, while ensuring a range of consumer products – from foodstuffs to pharmaceuticals – stay within critical temperature bands.

 

The order follows a highly successful trial process DFDS undertook with Sunswap in 2022, which demonstrated that with 10 Endurance solar and battery TRUs on fleet, DFDS could remove 895 tonnes of CO2 and save around 500,000 litres of diesel fuel over a ten-year unit lifetime, compared with a traditional TRU.  The trials also indicated that on one of DFDS’s longer routes, 22 hours of cooling could be provided from one full charge – typically taking 80 minutes – of the TRU battery unit.

 

Based on findings from the earlier trials, DFDS established that switching to Sunswap Endurance would save 71% of the operating costs compared to running a diesel refrigeration unit. This amounts to a 13% saving in total cost of ownership – making solar and battery electric power a more sustainable and commercially viable option.

 

The partnership between Sunswap and DFDS comes at a crucial time, as the transport sector faces increasing regulatory pressure and growing consumer demand for more sustainable logistics.   By investing in low carbon technology DFDS is positioning itself at the forefront of more sustainable cold chain logistics, setting a new standard for the industry and paving the way for a cleaner, more environmentally responsible future in refrigerated transport.

 

Depending on conditions, the trailer-top mounted solar panels can typically provide 65 to 100% of the charge needed to operate the refrigeration unit, significantly reducing reliance on grid charging.

 

Matt O’Dell, Managing Director of Cold Chain, UK & Ireland at DFDS, said: “The Sunswap trailers provide a huge opportunity for us to reduce the carbon footprint of our operations and further strengthen our offering to customers. Our team has worked closely with Sunswap on this project and I’m very proud of all the hard work that has gone in to seeing the trailers arrive at our Peterborough depot ready for service.

 

“DFDS has ambitious targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We aim to achieve a 75% reduction in CO2 emissions intensity by 2030 and to be net zero by 2050, and so introducing the Sunswap trailers to our UK fleet is an exciting part of that. I believe it will be a shift away from legacy diesel technology for cold storage transport.”

Michael Lowe, CEO of Sunswap commented: “This is a defining moment for Sunswap and sustainable transport refrigeration. After five years of engineering innovation and extensive trials, seeing the first Sunswap units enter full-time service with DFDS marks the beginning of diesel-free cold chain operations at scale. DFDS has shown true industry leadership by being first to adopt this technology.”

“As we begin to fulfil subsequent orders from our production line in Leatherhead, we look forward to supporting major European retailers and logistics operators in decarbonising their cold-chain operations.”

 

Seymour Manufacturing International (SMI) – the thermal protection perfection specialists – have been saving energy and money for some of the world’s biggest and best-known businesses since the 1980s. It’s all thanks to Tempro®, SMI’s remarkable lightweight thermal insulation material which has been scientifically proven to cut energy loss by at least 25% in chillers, and an amazing 33% in freezers, and with an impressive ROI of less than 6 months. The Telford company’s client list is a who’s who of big-name brands, including leading supermarkets, the NHS, the Ministry of Defence, and more.

 

SMI are currently running a promotion where any orders of Cold-Stop Curtains placed before the end of 2024 will benefit from a 5% discount on the curtains, improving your ROI further still, and helping you save even more money.

 

For all orders or quote requests, please email enquiries@seymour-mi.com and one of the SMI team will handle your requirements.

 

This is a great opportunity for all British Frozen Food Federation members, so why not contact SMI for further information, or visit their website www.seymour-mi.com

When a beloved family dog started experiencing tummy troubles, one determined pet parent took matters into his own hands. Unable to find a suitable dog food, he started cooking simple, wholesome meals right at home – and the results spoke for themselves. Inspired by this success, he and a friend launched Butternut Box to deliver health and happiness, creating better food options for dogs everywhere. In just eight years, Butternut Box has grown from a kitchen start-up to a thriving business.

To support its rapid expansion and ensure the highest food safety standards, Butternut Box selected Safefood 360° as its go-to platform when scaling up to a new production kitchen. The implementation of Safefood 360°’s Food Safety and Supplier Quality Management solutions began in 2020, providing robust support ahead of the factory’s go-live date in 2021.

Integrating Safefood 360° has streamlined compliance and significantly boosted operational efficiency, setting Butternut Box up for success. This strategic investment helped secure prestigious BRCGS AA+ certification, reinforcing their reputation for excellence across their extensive European operations.

With Safefood 360°’s solutions, Butternut Box continues to confidently mitigate risk, uphold top-tier standards, and deliver best-in-class products that pet owners trust for their furry family members.

Discover the full story here: https://safefood360.com/resources/butternut-box-food-safety-case-study/

Following the successful launch of the X2 Series of x-ray inspection systems, Mettler-Toledo Product Inspection is proud to introduce the new X6 Series, offering a significant product safety upgrade for medium to large-sized packaged products and multi-lane applications. The X6 Series consisting of the X16 and X36.2 x-ray inspection systems presents a range of new features that provide precise contamination detection across single or multiple lanes. Both solutions can inspect medium to large-sized products (500-600mm in length) while also maximising productivity through easy-to-use design improvements.

Designed for Large Packages and Multi-Lane Applications

The X6 models, like the X2 Series, feature advanced detection technology but are specifically designed for larger product formats. With multi-lane capabilities, the X6 Series makes inspection for manufacturers handling bigger products or multiple packages per line, quicker and easier.

This provides flexibility for food and beverage brands that require efficient inspection solutions for varying product sizes and configurations.

X16 X-ray Inspection System

The X16 is an entry-level x-ray solution for medium to large-sized products with a HiGain detector, offering excellent detection of contaminants such as metal, glass, stone, bone and low-density materials across single or multi-lanes. The system which can support products up to 300mm in height with conveyor speeds up to 60 meters per minute also performs additional quality and integrity checks, enhancing product safety beyond just contamination detection. These checks include monitoring for correct product placement, mass component count, fill level and identifying damaged packaging. The X16 is designed to maximise production uptime with its intuitive user interface, simplified cleaning routines and reliable subsystems, reducing costly downtime.

X36.2 X-ray Inspection System

For more advanced inspection needs, the X36.2 offers high-level detection capabilities for medium to large packaged products. With HiGain+ detector technology and ContamPlus™ software, the X36.2 offers completeness and integrity checks, identifying small foreign bodies plus missing or broken products. The system is highly customisable, with single or multi-lane configurations and numerous reject bin options. It can accommodate even higher throughputs with speeds of up to 100 meters per minute and the ability to handle over 1000 products per minute, depending on product size.

Smart Industrial Design to Reduce Cleaning Downtime

Both the X16 and X36.2 feature significant mechanical upgrades over legacy solutions plus completely new designs that improve belt removal and simplify service and maintenance routines. These design improvements mean that operators can clean and maintain the systems quickly, minimising downtime. The front-opening hygienic design allows for easy access during cleaning and service, while the conveyor belt can be swiftly removed without the need for tools, making maintenance more efficient than ever.

To further optimise performance and offer long-term reliability, the X6 Series can be supplied with a choice of service contracts tailored to manage maintenance costs and maximise uptime. Additionally, both systems when purchased with a standard or comprehensive service contract come with a 5-year generator warranty, providing peace of mind of the quality of the heart of the x-ray system.

X-ray Solutions to Accommodate Application Needs

The X16 offers an affordable entry point for manufacturers looking for high-end inspection technology at a competitive price, while the X36.2 provides an advanced solution for those requiring superior product integrity checks. With multiple configurations available for the X36.2 this system can be customised to meet individual production requirements.

Mike Pipe, Head of Global Sales & Product Management, Mettler-Toledo Safeline X-ray, said, “With the launch of the X6 Series, we are excited to extend the capabilities of our x-ray inspection solutions – building upon the global success of the X2 Series – to larger packaging and multi-lane applications. The X6 Series offers significant improvements in mechanical design and performance compared to previous generations, providing enhanced control over product safety, reducing downtime and helping manufacturers remain competitive in today’s market. And all of this is achieved at an affordable price, making it accessible for businesses of various sizes.”

For food manufacturers looking to enhance their product inspection processes, the X6 Series offers a versatile solution for medium to large packaged products. Its advanced contamination detection capabilities help prevent costly product recalls, while the inclusion of product integrity checks offers the highest standards of quality control. The X6 Series’ robust design and productivity tools make it an ideal choice for manufacturers seeking to optimise efficiency and meet stringent compliance requirements, all while best protecting their consumers and brand reputation.

The Next Level in Product Safety

To further save manufacturers time and money, the functionality of the X16 and X36.2 can be extended with ProdX™ data management software. ProdX™ is automating the monitoring, reporting and collating of all product inspection activities in real-time. The safely stored data helps business growth by facilitating food safety regulatory compliance and protects brands through proof of due diligence. In addition, by analysing the data, production line improvements can be identified thereby helping to boost productivity.

For more information on the X16 and X36.2, click here or visit: www.mt.com/xray-x6