Kenya’s cold storage firm sets new benchmark with top certification
Cold Solutions Kenya Limited, which began operations in Kenya two years ago, received the certification following an evaluation of its facilities in Nairobi.
The firm said it plans to expand its cold storage network beyond Kenya, with similar facilities planned for Mombasa, Rwanda, Uganda, and Tanzania. The company aims to maintain international sustainability standards in all future projects.
Cold Solutions Kenya Limited, which began operations in Kenya two years ago,
received the certification following an evaluation of its facilities in
Tatu City.
A relatively new player in Kenya’s cold chain industry has achieved a major sustainability milestone, becoming the only temperature-controlled warehouse in Africa to receive the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification from the US Green Building Council (USGBC).
Cold Solutions Kenya Limited, which began operations in Kenya two years ago, received the certification following an evaluation of its facilities in Nairobi.
The company provides cold storage and logistics services for food and pharmaceutical products, operating a warehouse capable of storing up to 18,000 pallets at its flagship facility in Tatu City.
LEED certification is an international rating system that assesses the environmental performance of buildings based on energy efficiency, sustainability, indoor environmental quality, and innovation.
The Gold certification is the second-highest ranking in the system, requiring buildings to meet strict sustainability criteria.
Azhar Rifai, co-head of Cold Chain Strategy at ARCH Emerging Partners, the investment firm backing Cold Solutions, described the certification as a significant milestone.
“Being the only temperature-controlled warehouse in Africa with this status is a strong endorsement of our approach to sustainable storage. We are continually adopting innovative solutions to enhance efficiency and reduce environmental impact,” he said in a statement.
LEED certification is granted based on a point system that evaluates various environmental factors, including carbon footprint reduction, energy conservation, and the use of sustainable building materials.
To earn Gold status, a building must accumulate points in areas such as energy performance, indoor air quality, and resource efficiency.
Cold Solutions sain in a statement that its warehouse incorporates several sustainability measures, including solar power, water treatment systems, natural gas refrigeration, and eco-friendly building materials.
The company said it has also received certifications such as YUM!, FSSC 22000, the World Health Organization’s Good Distribution Practice (GDP), and approval from Kenya’s Pharmaceutical Poisons Board for food and pharmaceutical storage.
“This certification affirms our commitment to providing environmentally responsible and high-quality cold chain solutions,” Rifai added.
“We encourage other businesses to consider green building certifications for their operational and environmental benefits.”
LEED certification operates on a four-tier system: Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. The highest level, Platinum, requires over 80 points, while Gold, the second-highest, demonstrates significant achievements in sustainability.
Cold Solutions said it plans to expand its cold storage network beyond Kenya, with similar facilities planned for Mombasa, Rwanda, Uganda, and Tanzania. The company aims to maintain international sustainability standards in all future projects.
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Cold Solutions Kenya Limited, which began operations in Kenya two years ago,
received the certification following an evaluation of its facilities in
Tatu City.