Adani with Hyfun Launch India’s Ist Reefer Train Boosts Global Cold‑Chain Logistics

Adani Logistics has launched India’s first dedicated refrigerated container train (“reefer rail”) in partnership with HyFun Foods, connecting Gujarat’s Virochannagar ICD to Mundra Port. This initiative replaces up to 40 truck trips per train, cutting costs, emissions, and boosting frozen food exports to over 40 countries.

Key Highlights of the Reefer Rail

• First refrigerated train: Flagged off on 21–22 May 2026, operated by Adani Logistics.
• Partnership: Collaboration between HyFun Foods, Adani Logistics, and Evergreen Marine Corporation.
• Route: Runs from Virochannagar Inland Container Depot (ICD) in Gujarat to Mundra Port (APSEZ).
• Capacity: Each train replaces ~40 road trips, reducing congestion and fuel use.
• Exports: Frozen potato products shipped to Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia, and supplied to brands like Pizza Hut, Burger King, Taco Bell, Subway, IKEA, KFC.

Strategic Impact

• Boost to farmers: Frozen potato products from Indian farms reach global quick-service restaurants, increasing farmer incomes.
• Sustainability: Aligns with India’s push to reduce fuel consumption; rail freight cuts carbon emissions significantly.
• Cold-chain reliability: Ensures temperature-controlled logistics, vital for frozen food exports.
• Global expansion: HyFun Foods currently exports to 40+ countries, aiming for 100+ markets in coming years.

Comparison: Road vs Rail for Frozen Exports

Mode	Trips per shipment	Fuel use	Carbon emissions	Reliability
Road trucks	~40 trips	High	High	Vulnerable to delays
Reefer rail	1 train replaces 40 trips	Lower	Significantly reduced	Controlled, consistent

Risks & Challenges

• Infrastructure dependency: Success hinges on ICD and port connectivity; bottlenecks could disrupt schedules.
• Temperature assurance: Reefer rail must maintain strict cold-chain standards to avoid spoilage.
• Scaling limits: Current deployment is exclusive to HyFun Foods; broader adoption will require investment in reefer wagons and hubs.

Why It Matters for India

• Strengthens India’s position as a reliable global supplier of processed frozen foods.
• Supports export diversification beyond IT and pharma into agri-food logistics.
• Enhances eco-friendly logistics corridors, aligning with national sustainability goals.

Deeptech Cold Chain Startup Tan90 Raises $2.4 Mn in Series A Funding Led by NABVENTURE

In a significant boost to India’s sustainable logistics ecosystem, Tan90 Thermal Solutions, a deeptech startup revolutionizing cold chain technology, has secured ₹20 crore (~$2.4 million) in a Series A funding round led by NABVENTURES, the venture capital arm of NABARD. The round also saw participation from Blue Ashva Capital, Capital-A, and 3i Partners.

Founded in 2019 by a team of IIT alumni, Tan90 develops proprietary Phase Change Materials (PCMs) that enable passive cooling across a wide temperature spectrum, from –50°C to +80°C. These innovative thermal packs are designed to reduce dependency on conventional refrigeration systems, offering scalable, energy-efficient, and eco-friendly solutions for cold chain logistics across industries.

• Expand its Cooling-as-a-Service (CaaS) model from eight cities to 18, targeting underserved Tier-II regions
• Launch new product lines catering to cold storage, HVAC systems, and even thermal management of data centers
• Strengthen international footprint in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa

According to the company, their PCM-based solutions offer twice the cooling duration and longer cycle life compared to traditional gel packs—crucial for sectors like pharmaceuticals, fresh produce, food delivery, and vaccines. Remarkably, Tan90 boasts zero customer churn on its existing CaaS platform and has clocked a 70% CAGR in the past three years while nearing operational breakeven.

Backed by DBT-BIRAC (Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council), Tan90 is part of India’s growing ecosystem of climate-conscious, deeptech innovators. The firm’s roadmap aligns with broader national priorities, including cold chain modernization, food security, and climate resilience.

A press quote from NABVENTURES said, “Tan90 is precisely the kind of tech-first, impact-driven enterprise we champion,” said a spokesperson from NABVENTURES. “Its scalable approach to sustainable cold storage addresses real-world bottlenecks in agricultural and health supply chains.”

As India races to decarbonize and digitize its logistics infrastructure, Tan90’s success signals rising investor confidence in technologies that blend deep science with market-ready applications.