AELER raises US$7.5 million for “smart” containers

Thanks to its additional payload and aerodynamic design, AELER’s container reduces CO2 emissions by 20%. The funding enables AELER to better meet the rapidly growing demand and to expand its Container As A Service (CAAS) offering.

AELER recently launched a breakthrough, smart shipping container that drastically reduces both operational costs and CO2 emissions. This was made possible thanks to the widespread use of composites and advanced IoT systems. For context, the steel container that enabled the rise of the global economy and through which 80% of the world’s goods transit is the same now as it was 60 years ago. But today, this hot, often rusty, unconnected metal box is increasingly out of sync with the demands of both business and the environment.

The company has now raised raised CHF 7 million in an over-subscribed Pre-Series A financing round. Backers include financing specialists Decisive, MACV, Tiger8, Virtual Network and well-known names like AA Sons (optician family Afflelou) as well as logistics industry heavyweights.

Co-CEO David Baur said: “The logistics industry is ripe for a new technological breakthrough. With the AELER container, we are reworking the very foundations of this trillion-dollar industry.” Co-CEO Naïk Londono added: “The support we’re receiving from both investors and customers - many leaders in their field - validates AELER’s transformational approach to what’s now becoming a fast-changing market.”

AELER’s UNIT ONE container is light, robust, insulated, smart and can hold more payload too. It’s designed to replace the 60-year-old steel shipping container that’s at the core of this trillion-dollar industry. Key benefits of AELER’S UNIT ONE container:

• 20% reduction in CO2 emissions thanks to its additional payload and aerodynamic design
• 11% more storage volume — up to 17% for flexitanks — thanks to the container’s flat insides
• Drastic reductions in temperature variations thanks to the container’s structural insulation. This offers a real alternative to ‘reefers’ (energy-hungry refrigerated containers) for sensitive goods.

This funding was received to meet rapidly growing demand for AELER’s new generation container - especially in the food & beverage, chemicals, FMCG and luxury sectors - and expand its Container As A Service (CAAS), an innovative subscription-based model that gives customers timely and flexible access to AELER’s containers. This is yet another innovation that gives shippers more control over their supply chain.

Commenting on the news, Solar Impulse’s world-renowned explorer and pioneer in clean technologies Bertrand Piccard said: “The Solar Impulse Label exists to show governments and business leaders that solutions that are good for the Environment represent the biggest market opportunity of our century. We labeled AELER back in 2019 and this investment confirms that investors see AELER’s potential too.”

(Press release / SK)
Photo L-R: David Baur, Betrand Piccard, Naik Londono

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