World Refrigeration Day 2026 unveils 'Cool Intelligence' theme

UPS invests $48 million in temperature controlled freight cross-docks

Constellation Cold Logistics to acquire Locagel and Transfreeze in France

Locus Robotics helps HelloFresh expand chilled SKU capacity fivefold

The case for raising frozen food storage to -15°C

Stephen Gill frames the theme as a counterpoint to the prevailing focus on artificial intelligence, spotlighting the often-invisible intelligence behind cooling and sustainable heating systems that protect food and medicines and enable healthcare, digital infrastructure and comfortable living.

Cool Intelligence centres on designing, installing, operating and maintaining systems intelligently, emphasising smart decisions over merely smart technology.

While digital tools and AI increasingly support controls, monitoring and optimisation, the theme positions them as enabling rather than replacing human expertise.

The campaign highlights applications across food cold chains, healthcare, buildings, data centres and heat pumps, calling on the global community to share experiences and recognise the people behind everyday cooling. (World Refrigeration Day)

Optimized for speed and short-term storage between air and ground movements, the facilities maintain temperature ranges of 2 to 8°C, 15 to 25°C and frozen, and all hold IATA CEIV Pharma certification.

The expansion responds to rising demand for temperature-sensitive biologics, projected to grow at an 8.3% CAGR through 2033 to an estimated $39.1 billion.

Kate Gutmann, EVP and President of International, Healthcare and Supply Chain Solutions, said the integrated network strengthens end-to-end cold chain capabilities and eliminates handoffs between providers.

A 24/7/365 control tower monitors shipments and flags risks. (UPS)

The deal expands Constellation's French footprint and strengthens its European network.

Located in northern France with direct access to major motorway networks, the facility offers approximately 36,000 frozen pallet positions alongside blast-freezing, order picking and repacking services.

Geert Liefhooghe, Managing Director of Constellation Benelux & France, highlighted the complementary repacking and specialised export operations.

Valérie Becquet, President of Locagel and Transfreeze, welcomed access to new opportunities and growth capabilities. (Constellation Cold Logistics)

Factor, a HelloFresh brand, first deployed 13 Locus Origin robots in a July 2025 pilot, with mission times averaging 3 minutes 36 seconds from induction to box drop-off.

HelloFresh added 26 more robots within three months, with EveryPlate support planned later this year.

To address reduced battery efficiency in cold conditions, Locus developed a heated motor enhancement and charging modifications enabling continuous operation.

Brad Mesloh, Associate Director, Strategic Design at HelloFresh, praised the platform's speed, safety and space efficiency. (Business Wire)

Following the Three Degrees of Change report, an evidence-backed push is underway to raise the benchmark to -15°C for environmental benefit without compromising food integrity.

Nomad Foods, owner of Birds Eye, Findus and Iglo, commissioned a twelve-month pilot with Campden BRI, testing nine savoury products across four temperatures against eight criteria.

Results showed no significant overall change while freezer energy consumption fell 10 to 11%.

At scale, MultiModal estimates the shift could save 17.7 million tonnes of CO2 annually, equivalent to 3.8 million cars, and cut supply chain costs by 5 to 12%.

The biggest gains sit in cold storage rather than transport, where regulation still requires -18°C.

The Move to -15°C coalition has more than doubled its membership since 2023, with British Frozen Food Federation backing. (Cold Chain News)