Refrigerated transport to Africa gets easier

POOR INFRASTRUCTURE in many parts of Africa should not spoil the chances of developing and marketing products that require refrigerated transportation or storage to the continent, according to Dry Ice International’s marketing manager, Danie Van Rooyen. He says that a national infrastructure of readily available product to solve any immediate requirements is necessary, particularly as new technology puts an end to many of the traditional limitations on the actual transporting of dry ice over long distances. “The single most important challenge facing the dry ice industry is centred around extending the lifespan of a continuously sublimating (evaporating) product, but already we have increased the lifetime of dry ice by 50%. This increases travel distances as well,” he explained. Dry ice is often required in the transport of ice cream, foodstuffs, blood specimens, medical samples and a variety of low temperature cargo where it is critical to maintain product integrity and particularly challenging when multiple stops result in loss of temperature. With an effective lifespan expectancy of eight days at present, replenishing stations are often required en route to ensure constant temperatures are maintained. “This is of course nearly impossible, given current infrastructure levels in Africa. But we are positive that a new technology solution will soon be ready, making it possible for a transporter to effectively travel between ten and 14 days without having to replenish.” Dry Ice International is the largest manufacturer of -78.5C dry ice in South Africa servicing the perishable cargo industry. Van Rooyen says the company has a vision to provide a national infrastructure of readily available product to solve any immediate requirements.