Pluss Advanced Technologies

In India, cold chain service providers are a critical part of the country’s supply chain infrastructure, serving a wide range of industries, including agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and retail. With India being a tropical country, maintaining the quality and safety of temperature-sensitive goods during transportation and storage can be challenging. In recent years, there has been significant growth in the cold chain industry in India, and many trustworthy brands such as Pluss Advanced Technologies have come up, building a strong brand value over the years by consistently delivering high-quality services to its customers.

Pluss Advanced Technologies is a manufacturer of Phase Change Materials (PCMs), the Pioneers of this technology in India. Pluss has always looked at sustainability in a big way and is committed to providing innovative and reliable solutions for the safe and efficient transport and storage of temperature-sensitive products. To understand in-depth what Pluss really stands for and what it looks forward to achieving in the years to come, we interviewed Mr. Praveen Das, the Business Head – Cold Chain & Agri Solutions.

1. How do you continue to uphold the brand value?

Pluss Advanced Technologies is a dedicated manufacturer equipped with an advanced research and development facility. Our company prioritizes the needs and requirements of our customers by adopting a customer-centric approach. We offer a diverse range of cold chain solutions such as packaging materials, data loggers, and temperature-controlled containers, that are tailored to meet customer’s specific needs.
What sets Pluss Advanced Technologies apart from our competitors is the commitment towards innovation. Our company continuously explores new technologies and materials to enhance its cold chain solutions, thus improving the safety and efficiency of transporting and storing temperature-sensitive products.
Moreover, quality and safety are at the forefront of all our operations. And, so far we have implemented rigorous quality control measures and adhere to strict safety standards to ensure the development, transportation, and storage of customer’s products, in a secure and an efficient manner possible.

2. How updated is Pluss with respect to market trends and demands?

We recognize the importance of providing user-friendly cooling solutions that can meet the demand in supply. However, the existing poor infrastructure, high running costs, and increasing customer awareness make it difficult to meet this demand. PCMs can significantly improve cold chain operations while keeping the goal of sustainability in mind.
One of the primary benefits of PCMs is their ability to absorb and release thermal energy over a relatively narrow temperature range, making them ideal for maintaining a specific temperature range for temperature-sensitive products while reducing fuel, product wastage, and ice usage. Using PCMs can help to minimize the risk of product spoilage or degradation caused by temperature fluctuations during transit or storage, without the need for traditional refrigeration methods.
Moreover, PCMs are often reusable, non-toxic, and eco-friendly, making them a sustainable alternative to traditional cooling systems like refrigerants or ice packs. Incorporating phase change materials into cold chain logistics can improve product quality and safety, reduce waste and costs, and enhance sustainability in the long run.

3. Please talk about the various Storage Solutions manufactured by Pluss?
• Phase Change Materials (PCMs): Our PCM products can be used for thermal energy storage in a variety of applications, including refrigeration, HVAC, and electronic devices.
• Temperature-Controlled Packaging: Pluss offers a range of packaging solutions that maintain the required temperature range during the transportation and storage of temperature-sensitive products.
• HimaCool™: This is a thermal energy storage integrated Cold Room that stores thermal energy during peak solar hours and releases it during peak hours when solar energy is not available. It is primarily used for storing perishable items.
• Aagun®: Pluss has developed an innovative solar drying technology that integrates solar energy with phase change materials, which retains the nutritional value of the food and increases yields up to 4x compared to traditional methods of outdoor drying.
• Cold Chain Monitoring: We also provide solutions for monitoring the temperature and humidity levels of products during transportation and storage to ensure that they are stored and transported under the right conditions, reducing the risk of spoilage.
4. How was the pandemic phase handled at Pluss?

The COVID-19 pandemic had presented unique challenges to the cold chain industry, particularly in India. As an essential goods manufacturer, all of us at Pluss Advanced Technologies worked closely with companies responsible for the safe transportation, storage, and handling of temperature-sensitive goods like food, pharmaceuticals, and vaccines.
During the pandemic, the demand for cold chain infrastructure had grown significantly, especially with the need for safe and efficient vaccine distribution. There has also been an increase in demand for e-commerce and home delivery services that require cold chain infrastructure to maintain the quality and safety of perishable items.
To address these challenges, Pluss Advanced Technologies implemented strict safety protocols to ensure worker safety, optimized their operations to maintain supply chain continuity, and developed innovative solutions to meet the specific needs of the customers during the pandemic. For example, Pluss implemented contactless delivery options and temperature monitoring systems.

5. What did Pluss learn from the pandemic?

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought into sharp focus the importance of business continuity planning and preparedness for future crises. Companies like ours are taking proactive steps to be better prepared for a potential pandemic recurrence. And specifically Pluss has implemented several measures to be future-ready for worst-case scenarios.
In this pursuit, Pluss has developed and updated robust business continuity plans that include strategies for remote work, supply chain disruptions, and crisis communication. We as a company have invested in technology to support remote work and virtual collaboration. Also, Pluss has diversified its supply chains by onboarding new suppliers and assessing the risks of suppliers. This strategy reduces the impact of future disruptions and enables the company to respond effectively to unforeseen situations. Pluss has prioritized employee health and safety. In summary, Pluss is taking proactive measures to prepare for future pandemics or crises, recognizing the importance of business continuity planning and preparedness to ensure the safety of its employees, customers, and suppliers.