GEA Refrigeration Canada, formerly GEA Aerofreeze Systems, has introduced a new A series (Aerofreeze) IQF tunnel for freezing raspberries without the need for liquid nitrogen or cryogenic pre-crusting.

Raspberry processors have long faced challenges in maintaining the delicate attributes of the berry during the preservation process. Liquid nitrogen crusting freezers have been used in front of the traditional IQF raspberry freezer as the only viable method of conditioning the berries before deep freezing. However, due to the high costs associated with the use of liquid nitrogen, fruit processors have been seeking out a less expensive solution.

GEA has responded to the market need for an improved yet more cost-efficient method of freezing raspberries without the use of liquid nitrogen. The new tunnel, referred to as the AY series, eliminates the need for liquid nitrogen or other cryogenic crusting processes and delivers superior product quality with significantly reduced operation costs to fruit processors.

“There is no other freezer currently available that can handle this type of product and deliver the required product quality. We’ve been working over the past several years to develop a freezer that meets the unique needs of this market,” said Robert Laflamme, president, GEA Refrigeration Canada, Inc.

Enfield Farms, located in Lynden, Washington State, USA, is the first customer to utilize the new tunnel design, and is realizing tremendous results.

“We take pride in using the most progressive farming techniques and latest technology in processing to produce exceptional fruit,” said Andy Enfield of Enfield Farms. “This new freezer is giving us greater control and a huge cost savings from our previous method of liquid nitrogen. This freezer has reduced our costs tremendously.”