Periodic Reporting for period 3 - ChillBact (Decontamination with Ice)
Berichtszeitraum: 2022-10-01 bis 2023-03-31
Poultry production is the world‘s fastest growing meat sector but producers struggle with major cooling problems and high rates of food-borne infections from harmful bacteria like Campylobacter. In Europe alone, there are estimated 9 million cases of food infections each year, causing potential long-term health implications and a huge burden on the healthcare system.
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).
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).
Two full-scale demonstration container systems were built specifically for this project at Thor Ice‘s production facilities in Iceland. The container units were transported to France and installed in one of the largest poultry factory in Europe. Large-scale industrial tests were done in France to secure documentation of the IceGun® technology's decontamination benefits. Tests were also performed in Iceland, at a local poultry plant and in controlled settings in a special test chamber. An extension of the cooling line solution is in development and patent applications are being prepared.
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.
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.
Thor Ice Chilling Solutions was nominated for the Nordic Council Environment Prize 2021 on Iceland's behalf. This prestigious prize is awarded to a Nordic organisation or individual that has shown outstanding efforts in integrating respect for the environment into their operations or made an exceptional contribution to the environment is some way. The award aims to raise awareness of environmental efforts in the Nordic region, with the focus in 2021 on sustainable food systems. Thor Ice was nominated for its technology‘s potential to extend shelf life and help tackle bacteria spoilage and unnecessary waste that compounds the carbon footprint of food production.
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.
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.