CoolVan scoops industry award for innovative eco-friendly insulation process

Celsius' sister company CoolVan is celebrating a prestigious award at a high-profile trade show at the NEC. 

The local vehicle converter scooped the Refrigerated Panel Van of the Year Award at the Temperature Controlled Storage and Distribution Show in recognition of its ground-breaking new vehicle insulation system. 

CoolVan’s newly patented lining system has been completely redesigned from the ground up to eliminate the use of fibreglass, instead utilising a 100 per cent recycled plastic material that is also fully recyclable at the end of its life.  

With up to 8,000 recycled plastic bottles used in a single van conversion, CoolVan’s innovative method sets a new standard in sustainable insulation solutions whilst improving thermal efficiency. 

The ground-breaking new process eliminates the use of glass-fibre and wood and dramatically reduces the amount of sealant used – making the conversion significantly easier to recycle at the end of its life. 

The conversion is also lighter and offers superior thermal performance, reducing energy demands and making it especially well-suited for electric van conversions. 

CoolVan’s stand at the show was designed and manufactured in-house from recycled plastics using the company’s latest CAD-CAM systems. Visitors to the CoolVan stand admired two new vehicles showcasing the cutting-edge insulation system featuring refrigeration units from leading manufacturers GAH and Hubbard.  

These innovative new processes have been made possible through substantial investment in CoolVan’s research and development function, underscoring the company’s commitment to pioneering sustainable practices in the refrigerated transport industry. 

At the heart of these R&D efforts is a £100,000 state-of-the-art temperature-controlled test chamber. This facility enables the team to maximize thermal efficiency and provides an ideal environment for in-house testing of new insulation solutions and different refrigeration units across various vehicle manufacturers. 

The ongoing research builds on a partnership between CoolVan and Warwick University (WMG) after CoolVan secured £500,000 of Government funding from the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) in partnership with Innovate UK in 2022. 

Through extensive road tests with a variety of vehicles and refrigeration units, this research collected comprehensive data on the real-world impacts on fuel consumption (MPG) post-installation, the influence of fridge units on engine performance and the comparative benefits of alternative solutions such as electric refrigeration units.  

Analysing this data has equipped the sales team with unique insights to enable CoolVan customers to make informed decisions about their next vehicle conversions. 

In response to recent growth, CoolVan has undergone a strategic reorganization to better manage its expanding operations. The established CoolVan brand will continue to deliver top-tier converted vehicles – a tradition it has maintained for more than 25 years. 

Alongside CoolVan, the company has launched a companion brand: Celsius Conversions – a new division dedicated solely to vehicle conversions. Celsius will focus on serving fleet customers, contract hire firms, leasing companies and rental businesses, offering tailored support to meet their specific needs. 

Reflecting on a very successful TCS&D Show, Sam Hargreaves, manager of the new Celsius Conversions division, said: 

“Winning the Panel Van of the Year Award was fitting recognition for the time and resources we have invested in the new Celsius process and the entire design and development team were thrilled to receive recognition for all their hard work. 

“We had an extremely busy show, with sustained interest in the new Celsius insulation system and a number of serious enquiries from established chilled and refrigerated fleet and logistics operators.”