Periodic Reporting for period 1 - MILDTECH (MILDTECH- Low cost, low temperature, rapid and energy efficient dual frequency microwave assisted vacuum system for drying and cooking foods)
Berichtszeitraum: 2017-06-01 bis 2017-11-30
Freshseal Ltd. is a UK based food processing and catering equipment supplier. We are currently in the process of scaling up bringing to market an affordable, low temperature (mild), fast and energy efficient microwave vacuum drying and cooking system (branded as MILDTECH), which we intend to commercialise in the EU and global food processing and catering industries. Our value proposition to our clients is that our equipment enables them to dry high value, heat sensitive foods with reduced drying times and lower energy consumption, thereby benefiting from reduced running costs, increased product throughput, as well as improved product quality compared to conventional drying methods. Our MILDTECH equipment is also versatile in that it can also be used for cooking, whereby our clients benefit from reduced cooking times, under a lower heat than conventional ovens resulting in less moisture and weight loss. We will implement a Smart Control system that is based on real-time reliable data and capable of executing complex recipes, which would be a clear market innovation and would play a key role in terms of product quality, standardization of complex recipes and substantially saving energy and processing time due to the plurality of involved factors, such as power density distribution, power vs time profile, humidity level in the chamber, vacuum level, among others. Our business plan is to commercialize the equipment in the global food processing industry with an industrial scale machine (3m x 1.4m x 2m) that will be targeted to food drying companies, as well as a smaller kitchen safe unit (1.4m x 1.2m x 2m) that will be targeted to catering establishments. The market potential of our new food drying/cooking equipment in the global market is very promising, and will lead to job creation and growth, and will also contribute to high quality cooked and dried food products that respond to consumers needs.
During the Phase 1 project we performed a Technical Feasibility Study, which has allowed us to have a pilot line running in our facilities and to test products from potential first clients in order to increase our knowledge for the further scale up of the system. We have also performed a deeper market analysis, and a freedom to operate study.
In terms of how our new versatile food drying/cooking equipment addresses EU-wide and global challenges, the ability to reduce operational costs, increase energy efficiency and reduce carbon footprint, as well as reduce processing times and increase throughput (and thereby increase productivity and profitability), will equip food processing and catering companies to become more competitive and sustainable in a market that is increasingly characterised by consumer demands for high quality, affordable prices, and products that are environmentally-friendly.