Gea has signed a contract to supply a new, environmentally friendly cooling system with one of the leading British ice cream producers, the Scottish premium ice cream manufacturer Mackie’s. The order is worth around GBP 4.5 million (approximately Rs 43 crore). As part of the project, Mackie’s will replace the existing freezing plant at its Aberdeenshire plant with an ammonia-based, low carbon, and energy-efficient cooling system with an absorption chiller from Gea. Gea said it would be the first large-scale ice cream production plant in Scotland to combine biomass heating and absorption cooling. This innovative solution will support Mackie’s plans and the ambitious goal of achieving CO2 reductions of 90% and energy cost savings of 70 to 80%.
Mackies’ stated aim is to be one of the UK’s most environmentally friendly companies. It currently produces over ten million liters of ice cream per year. The new cooling system will be one of the most advanced in Europe, it said. Mackie’s green initiative involves replacing the gases used in its refrigeration systems from “partially halogenated” chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), which have a high global warming potential, with ammonia. Ammonia is a natural, environmentally friendly refrigerant that has no impact on global warming or ozone depletion.
Gerry Stephens, finance director at Mackie’s in Scotland, explains, “Our corporate vision includes the goal of being the most environmentally friendly company in the UK. Over the years, we have invested locally in renewable energy, including four wind turbines and the largest solar farm in Scotland. “As our energy needs grow with us, we are excited about this innovative combination of technology and environmentally friendly refrigeration. It represents the final step in our efforts to become self-sufficient in renewable energy,” said Stephens.
Scott White, Gea’s sales manager, added, “When we were designing an ammonia system for a site that had no experience with this refrigerant, we assisted Mackie’s with all the process and regulatory issues that needed to be addressed. We have a wealth of experience in designing and installing systems based on and using this technology”.
IndiFoodBev — authentic, impactful and influential
An English-language food and beverage processing and packaging industry B2B platform in print and web, IndiFoodBev is in its third year of publication. It is said that the Indian food and beverage industries represent approximately US$ 900 billion in revenues which implies more than 20% of the country’s GDP. Eliminating the wastage on the farmside can help to deliver more protein to a higher number of the population apart from generating sizable exports. The savings in soil, seeds, water, fertilizer, energy and ultimately food and nutrition could be the most immense contribution that country is poised to make to the moderation of climate change.
To improve your marketing and grow sales to the food and beverage processing and packaging industry, talk to us. Our research and consulting company IppStar [www.ippstar.org] can assess your potential and addressable markets in light of the competition. We can discuss marketing, communication, and sales strategies for market entry and growth.
Suppliers and service providers with a strategy and budget for targeted marketing can discuss using our hybrid print, web, video, and social media channels to create brand recognition linked to market relevance. Our technical writers are ready to meet you and your customers for content.
The second largest producer of fruit and vegetables in the world is continuously expanding processing capacities and delivery systems with appropriate innovative technologies. We cover product and consumer trends, nutrition, processing, research, equipment and packaging from farm to thali. Get our 2025 media kit and recalibrate your role in this dynamic market. Enhance your visibility and relevance to existing markets and turn potential customers into conversations. Ask for a sample copy of our bi-monthly in print or our weekly IndiFoodBev eZine each Wednesday.
For editorial info@ippgroup.in — for advertisement ads1@ippgroup.in and for subscriptions subscription@ippgroup.in
Naresh Khanna – 10 February 2025
Subscribe Now
