GTI Koudetechniek supplied a total freezing and storage solution for Polskamp's Mechanically Deboned Meat (MDM) operations. The project extended from the basic engineering right through to the commissioning; GTI will also be responsible for the maintenance. GTI and Polskamp opted for natural refrigerants, since these are more environmentally-friendly than the old installation's synthetic refrigerants. For this reason the project received support from SenterNovem within the scope of the (Reduction plan Other Greenhouse gases) ROB Programme. The value of GTI's contract is approx. 4 million euros.

CO2 as refrigerant
MDM, meat separated from carcasses originating from various chicken slaughterhouses, is a raw material often used by sectors such as the snacks industry. After processing the MDM is packaged and frozen in horizontal plate freezers cooled by CO2, a natural refrigerant which has no influence on the greenhouse gas effect. Polskamp is the first manufacturer to make use of CO2-cooled horizontal plate freezers. The application was subjected to advance comprehensive tests.
In addition to these plate freezers, GTI also supplied a freezing tunnel and a spiral freezer for the processing of a range of products. The freezing rates achieved by all these freezing methods are of great importance to the retention of the product quality - an additional reason for opting for CO2.

The frozen meat is stored in a cold store at a temperature of -24°C. The production, packaging, freezing and storage operations are elements of a continuous process, much of which has been automated. The refrigeration unit cooling the various processes uses ammonia and CO2 refrigerants. Screw compressors provide the capacity required for the refrigeration unit and the hot gas for thawing purposes.

Heat recovery
Polskamp's solution also provides for heat recovery. Several areas are warmed by heat recovered from units such as the compressors' oil-cooling systems. In addition, the installation includes energy-conservation equipment such as frequency controllers and high-efficiency electric motors.

Subsidy within the scope of the reduction of greenhouse-gases Programme
The Reduction plan Other Greenhouse gases (ROB) promotes the reduction of emissions of methane, nitrous oxide and fluorinated compounds such as HFCs and SF6. In so doing the ROB contributes to the retention of a healthy climate. The ROB multi-annual Programme was initiated by the Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature Management and Food Quality, and the Ministry of Economic Affairs. The Programme is managed by the Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment, and implemented by SenterNovem.

Together with the companies Axima, Elyo, ENDEL, INEO, Tractebel Engineering and Fabricom GTI, GTI is part of SUEZ Energy Services.

SUEZ Energy Services, European leader in installation and technical services, develops value added solutions for its clients in the industry, the building services and the infrastructure as for design, realization and maintenance of technical installations along with energy management and long-term multi-technical management. SUEZ Energy Services employs 66,000 people and achieved revenues of € 9.7 billion in 2004. SUEZ Energy Services is one of the four business lines of the international industrial group SUEZ. SUEZ's stocks are  listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

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