For Flowers and Cold Chain
Cold Chain Management in the flower industry is crucial for maintaining quality, optimizing vase life, and minimizing rejection of flowers being shipped worldwide. The Weber Vacuum Group, the preferred choice of leading growers, logistics companies, and importers, offers customized solutions for the farm, airport, and distributor.
Flowers Vacuum Pre-cooling
Flowers are delicate, living products that require optimal storage and shipping conditions to maintain beauty and ensure a long vase life. Tightly packed in boxes, flowers generate a lot of heat, which can be problematic during transport. Cooling the flowers to the core is the only way to guarantee low temperatures during transport over long distances. Limiting the number of "degree hours" will ensure maximum quality retention and maximize vase life.
If the temperature of a flower is 25°C (77°F) after cutting, 20°C (68°F) during the second hour, and 15°C (59°F) during the third hour, you have already lost 60 degrees of shelf life - in just 3 hours!
Moisture control and Botrytis prevention, Uniform cooling
Vacuum is the most effective and energy-efficient pre-cooling method for most flowers. Additionally, vacuum cooling helps regulate the free moisture content in the flowers, ensuring quality by preventing condensation on the packaging sleeves and minimizing the risk of Botrytis contamination. It is the only method that allows you to cool quickly, evenly, and thoroughly, regardless of the packaging method.
For every 7°C of cooling, only 1% of the moisture is lost. In an average cycle, the loss is only a maximum of 2% to 3%. Cooling flowers from 20-25°C to 2-4°C takes about 20-35 minutes with vacuum cooling.
Most energy-efficient pre-cooling method
Compared to traditional blast freezing, energy consumption can be reduced by more than 60%, and the amount of labor, space, and maintenance required can be minimized. At the same time, thorough cooling to the desired temperature is guaranteed in the shortest possible time, whether it is flowers on standard pallets, carts, or on 3,000 kg aircraft pallets.
Vacuum cooling on the farm
On the farm, vacuum cooling will ensure the 'perfect start' of the cold chain. Depending on the situation, flowers are cooled immediately after hydration, or after packaging, for storage/shipping. Pre-cooling immediately after harvest will reduce respiration and transpiration by a factor of 4 to 6. Lowering the flower temperature to about 1 °C / 35 °F allows flowers to start their journey in a dormant state, preserving their energy. Cooling to very low temperatures becomes essential when shipping flowers by sea. We offer the perfect vacuum pre-cooling solutions, both for smaller and larger farms! Up to two loads can be cooled per hour.
Download our latests brochure for flowers
Vacuum cooling at logistics centers
Even if flowers are shipped under perfect conditions, they will still warm up when shipped over long distances. Cooling back to the core upon arrival - at the airport or logistics hub - is an important step in fully controlling the cold chain management process. The only efficient and truly effective way of cooling is through vacuum, as no other technology can cool (consolidated) shipments as quickly. Vacuum coolers are installed (or being considered) at both the place of origin and the destination, worldwide. Additionally, more and more import/export companies are implementing vacuum cooling to better control and maintain the quality of their flowers. In many cases - Weber Cooling is the preferred supplier, due to their expertise and high-quality solutions.
Benefits for Flowers & Cold Chain
Reduces Stress and Maintains Quality
Once harvested, flowers experience stress that leads to respiration and transpiration. Rapid cooling immediately after harvest is essential to minimize this stress, reduce potential issues, and maintain the quality and vase life of the flowers.
Monitors and Manages "Degree-Hours"
The amount of "degree-hours," a key performance indicator introduced by cold chain management expert FlowerWatch, is vital in assessing the efficiency of temperature control. A clear explanation of this concept, provided by one of our customers, Holex, can be found in the following article: A Floral Pioneer in the Land of Degree-Hours.
Preservation of Flower Quality:
The rapid cooling process helps preserve the color, texture, and aroma of flowers, ensuring that they remain attractive and appealing to consumers with maximum of vase life
Removing excess water from the packaging
Removes excess water as the packaging evaporates to prevent the growth of microorganisms.
Improved transportation and storage
Flowers that have been cooled with vacuum cooling are better suited for transport over long distances and longer storage times, because their lower temperature helps to maintain their condition throughout the entire supply chain.
Environmental Benefits
The process does not involve harmful chemicals or refrigerants, making it an environmentally friendly option for cooling flowers. Vacuum cooling is the most efficient compared to other pre-cooling technologies. We use hydronic technology with Glycol water for additional benefits.
Environmental benefits
The process does not involve any harmful chemicals or refrigerants, making it an environmentally friendly option for cooling flowers. Vacuum cooling is the most efficient compared to other pre-cooling technologies. We use hydraulic technology with Glycol water for additional benefits.
Suitability for Sensitive Flowers
Vacuum cooling is gentle and suitable for delicate flowers that can be damaged by other cooling methods involving direct contact with cold surfaces or cold air.
