Belgian Coldchain Federation
BECOLD originated from the "Union Professionnelle Belge des Industries du Froid" founded in 1921.
BECOLD addresses all companies operating in the cold chain.
Our professional federation represents companies whose core business is providing total logistics services for the storage of temperature-sensitive products.
THE COLD CHAIN IS IMPORTANT
By storing and transporting perishable goods safely and efficiently, the cold chain feeds a rapidly changing population, stimulates trade and economic growth, and is a vital front line in adapting to climate change.
Over the past 5 years, the Belgian and European cold chain has been severely tested, but it has proved resilient. It kept food on the shelves during the pandemic, the energy crisis and the supply chain disruption caused by the war in Ukraine. In 2021, cold chain professionals built a unique storage and transportation infrastructure that delivered life-saving vaccines to more than 350 million people in a matter of weeks.
There is a new awareness of the importance of logistics in the cold chain. We have also learned that the cold chain faces specific challenges and opportunities.
We call on all policymakers to recognize the importance and positive role cold chain companies play in the economy and society, and to work with us to achieve positive outcomes for the future of our vital supply chains.
THE COLD CHAIN EXPLAINED
The cold chain is a network of businesses that store and transport perishable goods in a safe, temperature-controlled environment. The cold chain exists at every stage of the supply chain, from the point of production to manufacturing and storage and ultimately to retail or catering establishments and people's homes.
Managing goods through the chain is highly specialized work performed by dedicated and skilled professionals. The overriding priority is to ensure the safety and quality of the product; by doing so, the cold chain provides security for producers, maximizes availability and protects consumers.
The cold chain relies on specialized buildings and equipment, erected and maintained to high standards, and is constantly seeking innovation and improvement in performance and efficiency from dedicated suppliers.
In the food sector, the cold chain is the first defense against post-harvest food waste by ensuring that most of the food produced reaches the consumer. This maximizes the opportunity to prevent food waste and reduces the pressure on agricultural production and land use to feed the growing population of Belgium and Europe.
THE COLD CHAIN IS VITAL TO A RESILIENT AND SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEM
Securing the food supply is one of the founding objectives of the European Union and recently the Riek to Fork strategy has guided the ambition to make food systems fair, healthy and environmentally friendly. Refrigeration and freezer operators believe the strategy should be reviewed and renewed to ensure better recognition and support for the importance of storage and transportation infrastructure.
Nearly 29 million tons of food waste are produced in the EU every year and at the same time more than 32 million people cannot afford a good meal every other day. Refrigeration and freezer operators have played a crucial role in developing food redistribution systems and initiatives across Europe. Ensuring that food at risk of being wasted in one part of the chain is made available for use is an important opportunity and obligation for all stakeholders in the supply chain.
Mission
General
BECOLD aims to represent the professional interests of all those who occupy positions related to logistics , refrigeration and frozen foods industries in the broadest sense.
BECOLD is the only recognized Belgian platform that takes care of the development, information and permanent updating of everyone active in the "Cold Chain".
To this end, BECOLD works closely with national and international associations active in this field and pursuing analogous goals, such as the GCCA and ECSLA.
Objectives
BECOLD pursues its objective by:
- organizing meetings that promote the exchange of knowledge and experience, obviously without disseminating proprietary information;
- Promoting and providing logistics training;
- Maintain and expand national, European and international contacts;
- stimulating and conducting research under its responsibility in areas such as logistics, storage, refrigeration, freezing, energy, sustainability, packaging, transport, ....., in cooperation with colleges and universities;
- Building a professional network of subject matter experts;
Assignment
BECOLD is tasked with:
- Represent the refrigeration and freezer industry in a professional manner
- represent the interests of its members
- formulate a common position of the members around issues that concern the entire industry
- To act as a central communication platform for affiliated members
- represent the industry's position in consultations with government, other professional federations and social partners.
Importance of the Belgian refrigeration and freezer industry
Number of member companies: 27
Total warehouse storage space: 4.7 million m3
Total employment in member companies : 818 employees
Board of Directors
The board of directors is composed of executives from member companies.
They set priorities and monitor the day-to-day operations of BECOLD.
Board members are:
