When Cold Chain Hub returns to the NEC on 9 & 10 September this year, there will be a strong focus on sustainable solutions.
The UK’s leading event for the cold storage and distribution sector – organised by the team behind TCS&D and Frozen & Chilled Foods magazines – will showcase innovative products and services for the journey to net zero.
“Companies adopting sustainable storage and distribution solutions are not only helping the environment,” says Martyn Cogan, Event Director. “They are also opening up significant opportunities in terms of reduced operational costs, enhanced brand value and improved talent recruitment and retention.”
Exhibiting at Cold Chain Hub for the first time, Renault Trucks UK will be showcasing its electric vehicle range in the show’s Truck Zone, including its 42-tonne E-Tech T tractor unit, which can deliver over 300km range on a single charge. The company believes the real challenge in the journey to net zero lies in how operators can transition their fleets. At the exhibition, Renault Trucks UK will collaborate with contract hire partner, Vertellus to demonstrate a joint commitment to accelerating decarbonisation. “This show provides the perfect opportunity to engage with industry leaders and decision-makers who are looking for commercially viable routes to net zero,” explains Alex Williams, Head of Brand & Communications for Renault Trucks UK & Ireland. “Working alongside Vertellus, we can offer fleet operators affordable and practical access to electric refrigerated vehicles through the Vertellus EV Discovery Programme.” Through this unique scheme, operators can trial a fully electric refrigerated vehicle over a 12-month period with no long-term commitment. “This initiative is a strong example of how collaboration between an OEM and fleet solutions provider can lower barriers to entry and de-risk EV adoption for fleet operators,” says Alex Williams.
Electra Commercial Vehicleshas exhibited its products at Cold Chain Hub before but the 2025 event will be the first time the company has exhibited on its own stand. Electra, which designs and delivers 100% electric and hydrogen fuel cell battery electric commercial vehicles to markets worldwide, will display one of its battery electric vehicles from its wide product range. Exhibiting in the show’s Truck Zone, Electra will also showcase its modular build design. “We can build a vehicle to suit customer needs,” says Andrew Holliday,Head of Commercial and Sales Operations. “We are body-agnostic, meaning there is little or no change required by the body builder in mounting the body or to the existing customer body specification.” The Electra team will also be promoting the new Electra EXchange solution, which enables diesel engines to be swapped out for the company’s sustainable EV drive system and battery technology. “With Electra EXchange, your current vehicle is refurbished, repowered and returned within 16 weeks,” continues Andrew Holliday, “allowing you to take your first steps to a greener fleet without having to buy new. You keep the benefits of existing vehicles, whilst upcycling for a zero-emission second life. We believe this can work in a multitude of ways – such as a new chassis with an old body, an old chassis with a new body, or an old chassis with an old body.”
Co-located with IMHX
Co-located this year with IMHX – the UK’s largest logistics event, which delivers some 10,000 visitors – Cold Chain Hub has attracted a number of key industry names as exhibitors. Companies showcasing their solutions include cold store constructors, temperature-controlled operators, rental/contract hire specialists and vehicle conversion experts, as well as suppliers of refrigerated vehicles, portable cold stores, renewable energy systems, materials handling equipment, protective clothing and temperature-monitoring technology.