Florca has had a vacuum cooler since 2021. But what exactly are the benefits of such a vacuum cooler?
Florca has had a vacuum cooler since 2021. But what exactly are the benefits of such a vacuum cooler?
When shipping and packing flowers for air freight, maintaining quality and freshness is of utmost importance. These delicate products require special care to ensure they remain in optimal condition until they reach their destination. One technology that has gained significant popularity in the flower industry in recent years is vacuum cooling. This innovative process has proven to be a real gamechanger, with numerous advantages for shipping and packaging these delicate crops.
The process of vacuum cooling explained
Vacuum cooling is a pre-cooling method in which the product is placed in an airtight space. Air is then sucked out of this space. This crucial aspect of the process accelerates the evaporation of moisture from the product. The evaporation of this moisture releases so much energy - and thus heat - that the temperature inside the product drops rapidly. In fact, the desired temperature can be reached in as little as 15-30 minutes. This fast and even cooling offers a number of important advantages for the flower industry.
Extended shelf life
One of the main benefits of vacuum cooling for flowers is longer shelf life. The rapid cooling process slows thegrowth of microorganisms and fungi, keeping flowers and plants fresher for longer. This is crucial for international exports, where products are sometimes several days in transit before arriving at their destination.
Maintain quality
In addition to a longer shelf life, vacuum cooling also ensures that the quality of the flowers is better preserved. The rapid cooling process minimizes moisture loss, resulting in firmer and fresher products. This is especially important for flowers, whose appearance and longevity depend heavily on moisture retention.
Energy Efficiency
Another important advantage of vacuum cooling is energy efficiency. The process consumes significantly less energy than traditional cooling methods. This is because vacuum cooling primarily extracts heat from the moisture in the product itself, which requires significantly less energy than cooling the entire room. This leads to cost savings, making vacuum cooling not only more effective but also less expensive than traditional cooling technologies.
Sustainability
The sustainability of vacuum cooling is a factor that should not be overlooked. By consuming less energy, thisprocess helps reduce CO2 emissions. Less energy consumption means less greenhouse gas emissions, which is crucial at a time when sustainability is high on the agenda. Companies can proudly use vacuum coolingas an environmentally friendly option for cooling and shipping their products, while reducing their costs. In short, vacuum cooling offers significant advantages for shipping and packing flowers and plants for air cargo. The rapid cooling process results in longer shelf life and preservation of quality, which is essential for the international flower market. In addition, vacuum cooling is energy efficient and sustainable, making it a worthwhile investment for companies in the agricultural and food industries. With a focus on sustainability, companies can not only ship their products around the world in optimal condition, but also have a positive impact on the environment.