Periodic Reporting for period 3 - ChillBact (Decontamination with Ice)
Berichtszeitraum: 2022-10-01 bis 2023-03-31
Inadequate cooling is a widespread problem caused by several contributing factors, such as increasing demand for fresh products and increasing bird size due to selective breeding. These problems are further compounded by climate change and growing summer temperatures. Producers are not able to meet new EU regulations on bacteria count and food safety due to ineffective cooling.
Thor Ice Chilling Solutions has developed a unique and patented cooling technology using ice slurry, an eco-friendly and non-hazardous cooling medium, for application in poultry processing. It is a complete solution, a bolt-on system that boosts existing air-cooling systems in poultry factories. The solution secures food safety and full compliance with EU regulations. Earlier tests have demonstrated its effectiveness in ensuring cooling to below the required 4°C and its potential to significantly reduce bacteria and extend product shelf life.
The ChillBact project's aim was to secure independent documentation of the solution‘s benefits, scientific and statistical analysis of the reduction of Campylobacter, accelerate the company‘s marketing and sales efforts, and scale up Thor Ice‘s production capacity. The project involved a strong collaboration between Thor Ice Chilling Solutions, Matís - Iceland Food Biotech R&D, Technical University of Denmark (DTU) - DTU National Food Institute, and the French poultry factory Les Volailles de Keranna (VDK).
Project participants have kept in regular contact and held online meetings to discuss the status of project activities. Highly qualified candidates joined the project‘s Advisory Expert Group. Furthermore, experienced industry experts agreed to join Thor Ice as mentors, assisting in managing the company‘s strategy and future growth. In autumn 2022, Thor Ice closed a funding round led by Alfa Framtak, an alternative investment firm focused on private equity. The investment will help support the company's scaling up.
Project participants have engaged in several dissemination and marketing activities. Articles have been published in Icelandic and European newspapers and magazines. The project coordinator, Thor Ice, has been featured in videos, podcasts, and events by Nefco (The Nordic Green Bank) and EIT Food. The Thor Ice website and social media platforms have been improved and are continually updated. The company held a formal event at its production facilities to present the company and invite partners, supporters, stakeholders, and potential investors to take a look at the container unit systems and the IceGun® technology. Thor Ice was nominated for the 2021 Nordic Council Environment Prize.
A new scientific method was developed for modelling data for cooling chambers. The method enables calculations and simulations for using Thor Ice‘s technology based on baseline data provided by producers and tests performed in small testing chambers. This enables Thor Ice to better examine and predict the effectiveness of the technology based on different variables. This new method was presented at the 13th IIR Conference on Phase-Change Materials and Slurries for Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (PCM2021) and published as part of the conference proceedings.
Extensive tests were performed as part of the ChillBact project, both in industrial and controlled settings in France and Iceland. Results confirm early evidence and provide independent documentation of the solution‘s benefits in terms of bacteria reduction, product quality, increased yield and compliance with EU regulations. Test results are very promising and will be published in scientific journals. An extension of the cooling solution will continue to be developed and patent applications submitted. More conferences and fairs will be attended, and papers submitted for publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals.