🧊 2025 World Cold Chain Symposium

September 19, 2025

Welcome back to CubeCold News where we cover the latest developments in the cold chain industry and temperature-controlled logistics.

In today’s edition:

  • Emergent Cold LatAm completes two strategic acquisitions

  • Georgia ports expands cold storage capacity with 12th facility

  • Nagle Cos. expands refrigerated trucking fleet with acquisition

  • Meridian Bioscience launches first liquid ambient temperature stable qPCR master mixes

  • United Nations and Industry announce 2025 World Cold Chain Symposium

News

Emergent Cold LatAm completes two strategic acquisitions Emergent Cold LatAm, Latin America's largest temperature-controlled food storage and logistics provider, announced two major acquisitions.

  • The company completed its purchase of Comfrio, a leading Brazilian cold storage platform, expanding operations to 37 facilities across 12 states with 4 million cubic meters of capacity and 3,500 employees.

  • Comfrio specializes in domestic distribution and leads Brazil's grain storage segment.

  • Emergent Cold also acquired Friobox in the Dominican Republic, a 12,000-pallet facility founded in 2021.

  • The company plans immediate expansion adding 7,200 pallets by January 2027.

  • This marks Emergent Cold's second Dominican investment, following a 2023 project at Caucedo Port.

  • CEO Neal Rider emphasized the strategic value of both deals in expanding the company's differentiated logistics solutions for customers throughout the region. (Emergent Cold LatAm)

Georgia ports expands cold storage capacity with 12th facility Georgia Ports has expanded its cold storage capacity to 2.4 million sq ft with the opening of a new MEDLOG facility in Rincon, Georgia.

  • The 291,000 sq ft facility, located 18 miles from the Port of Savannah's Garden City Terminal, features 42 loading docks and 20,000 freezer/cooler pallet positions.

  • The facility boasts significant protein processing capabilities, completing up to 3 million pounds of protein blast freezing daily through the nation's largest blast room.

  • Beyond frozen goods, the facility handles fresh produce imports including citrus, avocados, grapes, and blueberries using high-tech refrigeration systems.

  • MEDLOG, part of Geneva-based MSC Group, operates across 80+ countries and continuously invests in logistics infrastructure including warehouses, trucks, and transportation assets. (DC Velocity)

Nagle Cos. expands refrigerated trucking fleet with acquisition Temperature-controlled food carrier Nagle Cos. has acquired Kandel Transport in a deal years in the making, expanding its refrigerated trucking capabilities across Ohio.

  • The combined operation will feature 115 tractors, 200 trailers, and expected annual revenue of approximately $45 million.

  • The acquisition originated when Jack Daniels, owner of Akron-based Kandel Transport, approached Ed Nagle of Walbridge-based Nagle Cos. about a strategic partnership last year.

  • After months of discussions, the partnership evolved into a full acquisition. Kandel Transport will retain its name and structure during the integration process.

  • Beyond expanded hauling capacity, the deal provides Nagle Cos. access to Kandel's cross-border operations into Canada, serving markets including Montreal and Toronto.

  • Kandel expects benefits including expanded opportunities, updated technology, and operational expertise while maintaining its established identity and culture. (Trucking Dive)

Meridian Bioscience launches first liquid ambient temperature stable qPCR master mixes Meridian Bioscience announced the industry's first liquid qPCR master mixes that remain stable for over 12 months at ambient temperatures, eliminating cold chain requirements.

  • This breakthrough addresses a decades-old challenge in molecular diagnostics, where liquid reagents previously required continuous refrigeration or costly lyophilization (freeze-drying) processes.

  • The company offers two formats: Liquid Stable Ready Mix (MDX364) for manufacturers creating ready-to-use assays with primers and probes pre-stabilized, and Liquid Stable Flex Mix (MDX360) where end-users add primers and probes at point of use.

  • Both maintain full performance at room temperature (15-25°C) and prove reliable even after extended 50°C exposure.

  • These innovations cut refrigeration costs, simplify logistics, and reduce environmental impact while supporting high-throughput automation. (PR Newswire)

United Nations and Industry announce The Global Food Cold Chain Council (GFCCC) and UN Environment Programme (UNEP) OzonAction will host the fifth annual World Cold Chain Symposium on November 1, 2025, at UN headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.

  • Sponsored by Carrier Global Corporation, this year's theme is "Energizing the Private Sector," emphasizing the critical role of finance and technology industries in building sustainable cold chain business models.

  • The symposium precedes the 37th Montreal Protocol Meeting of the Parties and focuses on progression beyond initial pilot funding toward industry engagement and scalable solutions.

  • Kevin Fay, GFCCC Executive Director, stressed that sustainable cold chain expansion requires significant private sector support to reduce food waste, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and increase economic opportunities.

  • The event brings together high-level experts from private sector, government, international organizations, academia, and non-profits to address challenges in sustainable cold chain infrastructure in both developing and developed countries. (EIN Presswire)

Other headlines

Americold's Russellville, Arkansas facility has been named the inaugural Cold Storage Facility of the Year by Refrigerated & Frozen Foods Magazine for its advanced automation, sustainability features, and operational excellence.

Seafrigo Australia has opened a 10,000 sq m cold chain facility at Melbourne Airport that is four times larger than their previous site, featuring multiple temperature zones and biosecurity infrastructure to support expanded food logistics operations.

Eutecma has developed a reusable EPS box system using RFID tracking, 3D stereo vision inspection, and automated cleaning to reduce waste in cold chain logistics by enabling boxes to be reused up to 15 times.

Trane Technologies is extending the lifecycle of refrigeration units from seven to over ten years through its Thermo King Certified Pre-Owned program, which reconditions trailer refrigeration units to reduce waste and carbon footprints in cold chain transport.

Ocado has added two solar-powered electric refrigerated trucks to its fleet that can operate for up to 24 hours on frozen deliveries or two months for chilled goods on a single charge, reducing annual fleet emissions by 20.5 tonnes of CO2 per trailer compared to diesel equivalents.

Freight Linq has launched as a modern freight brokerage offering flexible logistics solutions across North America, including expedite services, temperature-controlled transport, and specialized freight with a focus on transparency and customer service.

That’s it for this week!

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