Morrisons is making waves as the first UK supermarket to experiment with raising the temperature of its freezers in a bid to reduce energy consumption and save money.
The supermarket chain, based in Bradford, has begun a trial where the temperature of freezers in 10 of its stores is being raised from the long-standing industry standard of -18C to -15C. This three-degree shift marks a significant departure from a nearly century-old standard.
The pilot is being conducted in stores across various regions of the UK, from Scotland down to the south of England, to assess the impact of this change in different climates and supply chain conditions. The goal is to evaluate the potential for a broader implementation if the trial proves successful.
This initiative has garnered support from key industry players, including Birds Eye, the largest frozen food brand in the UK, which is part of the Move to Minus 15°C Coalition. This coalition also includes logistics giants DP World and Blue Water, along with Danish Crown, a major bacon producer.
The push for an industry-wide shift is gaining momentum. A report prepared for the Cop28 climate conference by academics from the University of Birmingham and Heriot-Watt University highlighted that a global increase of 3C in freezer temperatures could lead to a reduction in energy consumption equivalent to 8.6% of the UK’s total energy use. Additionally, it could decrease carbon emissions on a scale comparable to removing 3.8 million cars from the road.
An 18-month study conducted by Nomad Foods, the parent company of Birds Eye, in collaboration with food science and technology experts at Campden BRI, revealed that raising freezer temperatures from -18C to -15C can cut energy use by 10% to 11%, without compromising food safety, texture, taste, or nutritional quality.
Morrisons, which has faced challenges in the competitive grocery market following a debt-heavy acquisition nearly three years ago, sees this initiative as a way to lower operating costs. The savings could potentially help keep prices down for customers and support the company’s goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2035.
Ruth McDonald, Morrisons’ Corporate Services Director, remarked: “The temperature standard for frozen food storage and transport is a practice rooted in the past. Today, with advancements in freezer technology and real-time monitoring, we can maintain precise control over food temperatures throughout the supply chain.”
Thomas Eskesen, Chair of the Move to Minus 15°C Coalition, welcomed Morrisons’ involvement, noting that having a major UK retailer on board represents a significant milestone.
Stefan Descheemaeker, CEO of Nomad Foods, added: “Our research clearly shows that increasing the temperature at which frozen food is stored can substantially reduce energy use and lower carbon emissions. Building a comprehensive industry alliance to implement these findings is crucial to driving widespread change.”