PROJECT
INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN
© Cold Link Africa
The precooling and boxing area.
the use of Copeland scroll compressors in many applications compared to older compressor types which, given there were ultimately 42 rooms, delivered considerable energy saving. Seymore highlights the challenge of finding a 1.1kW fan that delivers the same airflow as current models but with significantly lower energy usage. For the DCS-ZIRE Subtropico project, energy efficiency was also addressed through the implementation of lower voltage( 12 volt DC) systems for certain control components and the use of LED lighting throughout the ripening rooms, contributing to a reduction in overall energy consumption.
The scale and the significance of the project and client, Subtropico, are what make this project unique to BRS. Seymore explains:“ You rarely get 23 rooms in a single project – even 10 would be a large project,
and then to complete it in five months is something we’ re proud of.”
AIRFLOW AS THE HEART OF UNIFORM RIPENING
Achieving that ideal, consistent ripeness in bananas demands far more than merely controlling temperature. As Seymore emphatically states, " Precise airflow management is paramount to consistent results." This philosophy underpins the advanced ripening techniques at play.
The prevailing challenge in many facilities stems from inadequate airflow control. Simply boosting refrigeration capacity, without concurrently addressing how that cool air is distributed, inevitably leads to a mix of overripe, optimally ripe and still-unripe fruit within the same batch. This inconsistency directly impacts quality and profitability.
© Cold Link Africa
The area handles a substantial volume of bananas.
22
COLD LINK AFRICA January / February 2026