Celcius connects 600 cities with Tech driven cold chain solutions

According to Swarup Bose, Founder and CEO, Celcius is pioneering the development of a nationwide, tech-enabled cold chain network that integrates transportation, storage, and real-time data monitoring. He emphasises how the digital technology role of AI, IoT, and predictive analytics guarantees safe and sustainable management of perishable logistics across India’s growing economy.

What do you envision for the growth of the cold chain warehousing and logistics market?

We envision a nationwide tech-enabled cold chain backbone, integrating transport, storage, and data monitoring under one umbrella. With operations already spanning 600-plus cities, the goal of Celcius is to become the go-to platform for perishable supply chains, offering real-time visibility, optimised routing, and predictive maintenance. Expanding into Tier 2 and 3 cities is critical in ensuring inclusive access to quality cold logistics. We also invest in skill development and automation to embed AI in routing and efficiency, bridging talent and operational gaps. As India targets a $5 trillion economy, cold chain infrastructure will be central to food security, healthcare delivery, and export competitiveness.

Are smart reefer trucks, loT, and AI-driven tracking systems transforming cold chain visibility?

Absolutely. Celcius leverages a proprietary SaaS platform that enables real-time monitoring of every shipment. Such Smart tech facilities continuously track temperature, humidity, and vehicle health, ensuring that products, especially vaccines, frozen foods, and dairy, remain within prescribed parameters. 

We currently utilise IoT and advanced analytics to streamline operations and cut costs. Our SaaS-based platform provides visibility into every stage of the cold chain. This allows us to optimise fleet management, reduce idle times, and improve capacity utilisation. We use predictive algorithms to identify and address potential bottlenecks before they impact delivery times. Smart cold chains are becoming the industry norm as consumer demand for freshness and regulatory scrutiny rise.

How can cold chain transportation minimise its environmental footprint along with data loggers?

Cold chain transportation can reduce its environmental impact by adopting energy-efficient refrigeration systems, switching to electric or hybrid vehicles, and optimising delivery routes using AI to cut fuel consumption. Data loggers play a vital role by continuously monitoring temperature and humidity, ensuring product quality, and reducing spoilage-related waste. This data also enables predictive maintenance and operational improvements, reducing energy use and emissions.

Please elaborate on the quality controls and standards that you adhere to.

We prioritise product safety and quality through a robust framework of certifications. We are proud to be ISO 27001:2022 certified for Information Security Management, emphasising our commitment to safeguarding data and ensuring operational integrity. Additionally, all our cold storage facilities are FSSAI- and fire-safety-compliant, ensuring food safety and quality standards. Our facilities also adhere to fire safety regulations and possess the necessary NOCs and certifications for seamless operation management. These certifications reflect our dedication to maintaining high safety, security, and reliability standards across our cold chain operations.

Please discuss safety considerations for transit during transportation.

Cold chain transportation demands stringent safety protocols to preserve the integrity of temperature-sensitive goods. It is important to prioritise the maintenance and reliability of the fleet to ensure consistent performance and service quality. At Celcius, our vehicles, including refrigerated and ambient trucks, undergo regular and rigorous maintenance checks to meet the highest standards of operational efficiency. We partner with renowned OEMs, ensuring the fleet has durable, high-quality vehicles that can withstand diverse environmental conditions. Additionally, our reefer vehicles are integrated with advanced IoT devices for real-time monitoring, which helps track vehicle health, temperature consistency, and overall performance. This technology allows us to identify and resolve potential issues before they impact delivery, ensuring that your goods are transported reliably, even in the most challenging conditions.

Is India’s cold chain market ripe to connect the dots in warehousing, transport, and data monitoring?

Our market has long been fragmented, with warehousing, transportation, and monitoring often managed by separate entities. This disjointed approach has led to inefficiencies, inconsistent quality, and significant wastage, especially of perishables. Companies like ours are bridging these gaps by integrating all elements on a single SaaS platform, enabling real-time coordination between shippers, transporters, and cold storage providers. With over 150 cold storage facilities and 4,000+ temperature-controlled vehicles operating across 500+ cities, the company is building a unified ecosystem that enhances efficiency and transparency. Consolidation promises operational gains and the standardisation needed for scale and quality assurance.

How are geopolitical issues affecting global cold chain routes for perishables and vaccines?

Geopolitical tensions are disrupting cold chain routes for perishables and pharmaceuticals globally. These crises impact shipping lanes, delay container movements, and drive up fuel and freight costs. Vaccine and pharma logistics are particularly vulnerable, as they depend on tightly controlled conditions and just-in-time delivery models. It is important to mitigate these disruptions through a multimodal logistics strategy that leverages road, rail, and air to navigate global volatility, ensuring that critical goods, such as vaccines and perishable goods, reach their destinations safely and on time, regardless of geopolitical developments.