Challenges Surrounding the Use of Industrial Refrigeration Systems and How to Solve Them
Industrial refrigeration systems are a staple in many industries around the world when it comes to cooling operational processes. Whether for cold storage, cold supply chain, or temperature-sensitive products, industrial refrigeration has shaped the global landscape and its demand continues to grow. However, even with its expansive usage, there are still many misconceptions and apprehensions towards the usage of industrial refrigeration applications in various industries and many businesses find employing them to be a little challenging. Here are some of the challenges surrounding the usage of industrial refrigeration systems and how to solve them: High Cost of Ownership Because industrial [...]
Future of Food Retail Reinvented—What Grocery Stores Will Look Like in the Years to Come
Industries have reinvented their strategies and business operations over the years to match the needs of their customers and keep up with the pace of the times. In the food retail industry, advances are not new—and neither disruptions—be it on meal and food innovations or how food categories were reimagined and diversified. However, the recent health crisis has shown us that even though online grocery is an option for customers, people still visit their local grocery stores to check off their grocery lists. This proves that brick-and-mortar stores are here to stay, which opens a myriad of opportunities for retailers [...]
New Year Marks Start of HFC Phasedown In U.S.
R-410A could be phased out in new equipment as soon as 2025. welcome to the first stage of the HFC phasedown as mandated by the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act. As of January 1, 2022, the production of HFC refrigerants, such as R-410A and R-404A, has been reduced by 10%... Read More>
“Pandemic Snacking” Is a Thing and Here’s How It May Affect Your Food Retail Business
Gone are the good old days when snacking was just for kids when they were bored or for munching something between meals to “tide you over.” Due to the current COVID health crisis, several eating behaviors have changed—and snacking is one of those. Snacking has evolved from typical and sometimes unhealthy snacks to a renewed focus on healthy snacking observed across demographics. Right now, due to the force of the pandemic, snacking behaviors have been smart and intentional. Consumers are looking for snacks that give them value for their money as well as serving to improve their overall health. Several [...]
Plant Based Food is Here to Stay
Gone are the days when consumers can only eat meat from animals. Now, the emerging trend of plant-based food is going above and beyond market shares. As the younger generations seek sustainability amid food crisis, plant-based meat, milk, and cellular-based seafood are on the rise. Make room for plant-based foods on your supermarket shelves because it isn’t going anywhere this 2020 and beyond. Meatless Meat Plant-based meat was invented to address the greatest environmental threat which is the dreadful impact of the use of animals on food tech on the global environment. Beyond Meat and Impossible Burger are the pioneering [...]
Natural Refrigerants: The Path Forward for Commercial and Industrial Refrigeration
Ever since the Montreal Protocol has been put in place, the search for natural refrigerants in commercial and industrial refrigeration has continued to be the top priority in the industry. These regulations to phase down Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) to protect the earth’s ozone layer and to address climate change and its negative effects have long-term significance, not just in the environment, but also to food retailers across the globe. Looming government regulations have food retailers looking for refrigerant alternatives with low Global Warming Potential (GWP) and Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) to be used on their refrigeration systems. Below are [...]
The CO2 Equator — Going … Going … Almost Gone!
The game is on! Synthetic refrigerants got out to an early lead but natural refrigerants have come roaring back. CO2 is up to bat and is poised to hit a home run, already having some key hits in this game with demonstrated lower energy and maintenance costs in both commercial and industrial refrigeration applications as well as providing the peace-of-mind of having a more “future-proof” investment. Anyone who has ever listened to a baseball game has surely heard the phrase, “Going … going … gone!” It is beloved by baseball announcers when describing a home run as it approaches and [...]
To Retrofit or Build New Equipment: Retailers Dilemma amid Upcoming Refrigeration Regulations
The future of the commercial refrigeration industry is looking bright, but some challenges remain uncertain. There is one thing we are sure of though: refrigeration regulations are emerging, and it will greatly impact our industry in one way or another, coming sooner rather than later. Compliance with refrigeration regulations set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Energy, the U.S. Climate Alliance, the Natural Resources of Canada, and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) pose challenges to food-retailers across all sectors. These challenges will likely include adjustment to retail operations, refrigeration maintenance, and ensuring comprehensive knowledge on the [...]
How Food Retailers Could Meet the Seafood Demand
Meal preparation and convenience have taken center stage with technology during the Coronavirus pandemic. And, since convenience and safety are in consumers’ minds for all the obvious reasons, fresh, frozen, and easy-to-prepare meals are topping sales charts. Seafood sales, both fresh and frozen, are seeing double-digit growth in 2020 and the growth is expected to continue. For food retailers, this is an opportune time to hit sales targets and capitalize on the trend as grocery stores have a great advantage and are picking up some of the restaurants’ losses. Here are some of the ways how food retailers could meet [...]
How Food Retailers are Preparing for the Second Coronavirus Wave
At the onset of the Coronavirus pandemic, food retailers were taken aback by unprecedented demand from consumers for essential items in store. From disinfectants and toilet paper to canned goods and frozen food items, retail stores experienced supply shortages. Meeting the demands of concerned consumers was almost impossible but somehow retailers found a way to adjust. So now, as we are beginning to experience another surge of COVID-19 across the country, how are food retailers preparing themselves? Here are some of the things retailers are doing: Food retailers are expecting customers to begin stockpiling again to prepare for the second [...]