New coronavirus protection: air washing systems for warehouses with active cooling

• trans-o-flex ThermoMed draws conclusions from analyses of the wave of infections in the meat industry: Fine filters as an efficient precaution against the spread of the virus via air conditioning systems in rooms with low temperatures (2 to 8 degrees Celsius)
• Network expansion continues in parallel: Central hub gets 50 % more warehouse space and automatic sorting system

The logistics service provider trans-o-flex ThermoMed, which specialises in actively temperature-controlled shipments at 2 to 8 degrees Celsius, has equipped all 42 of its sites with air washing systems. The company operates nationwide pharmaceutical distribution networks in Germany (38 sites) and Austria (4 sites). Using the air cleaners, trans-o-flex ThermoMed hopes to protect its employees and stem the spread of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. The installation of the systems is a consequence based on the analysis of the wave of infection in the North Rhine-Westphalian meat industry.

It was here that hygiene expert Martin Exner from the University Hospital in Bonn, commissioned by the district of Gütersloh, discovered that air conditioning systems in cooled rooms promoted the spread of the virus. In the meat industry, rooms in which employees prepare the animals are cooled to around six to ten degrees. Firstly, according to Exner, viruses generally spread faster at cooler temperatures. Secondly, the air conditioning systems circulate the air without treating it or enriching it with sufficient fresh air, explained the microbiologist. The result: if an employee falls ill and the novel coronavirus gets into the air, it is then spread widely throughout the entire hall by the air conditioning system. Possible aerosols, i.e. very fine droplets through which viruses can be transmitted, are kept in motion.

In order to largely eliminate this risk of spreading, trans-o-flex ThermoMed has now equipped all the transshipment centres that are air-conditioned between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius in its German and Austrian network with air washing systems featuring special filters. The filters, which have to be replaced regularly, are also intended to filter aerosols from the air with which SARS-CoV-2 can be transmitted. According to the German air purifier manufacturer Trotec, they filter "99.995 % of all airborne pollutants" and "effectively free the air from pollen and other allergens, fine dust, cigarette smoke, odours and bacteria, mould spores or viruses."

Service without restrictions: trans-o-flex’s pandemic plans a complete success

"Our pandemic plans stipulate that we regularly evaluate new findings and examine their significance for our networks," explains Wolfgang P. Albeck, CEO of the logistics group trans-o-flex. "That’s why we decided to install this extra equipment." So far, trans-o-flex has been able to fully maintain the service in its networks trans-o-flex Express and trans-o-flex ThermoMed at all times during the Corona crisis. "We did not have to close a single site or restrict our services," says Albeck. "We have received a great deal of praise from our customers for this, and we are also being rewarded with additional volumes that were previously transported via other service providers." The company is therefore investing in the expansion of its network and among other things is currently putting 3.5 million euros into the extension of the ThermoMed central hub in Baunatal.

Expansion of ThermoMed hub increases network capacity by more than 25 %

The existing sorting centre there is currently being expanded with an extension. Completion is planned for the end of the year. The two parts of the building, which were previously separated by a solid stone wall, will be connected as part of the conversion, and the new building, whose area will increase from 1,300 to almost 2,000 square metres, will be equipped with a new, fully automatic sorting system. "This will further relieve the strain on the handling staff and speed up the handling process," Albeck announces. "This, together with the increased area and additional loading and unloading gates, will increase the capacity of the ThermoMed network by at least 25 %.