EQUANS reduces energy consumption in the cheese industry thanks to a compact and environmentally friendly cooling system.
The Belgian company Vache Bleue specialises in the production and distribution of cheese. In its large factory in Lillois-Witterzée, maintaining a continuous cold chain is essential. Faced with changing energy prices and environmental challenges, however, Vache Bleue wanted to update its equipment to make it more efficient and compact. And that’s exactly what they did! Discover how the refrigeration system implemented by EQUANS has allowed the cheese industry to combine ecology with economy.
The refrigerated warehouse in Lillois-Witterzée houses seven almost fully automated production lines. In the past, the company ensured the preservation of its products using 13 Freon refrigeration units and 52 evaporators.
After a comprehensive energy study, EQUANS replaced the old Freon installations with a single ammonia-glycol refrigeration unit. Ammonia has the enormous advantage of not contributing to the greenhouse effect associated with global warming.
Another original feature of this project was that the unit was installed outside the factory, in a separate container. A very practical modular solution to avoid production stops during installation and to facilitate transport in the event of future relocation!
The new equipment also includes 33 evaporators, a stainless steel piping network and a remote unit control system. In total, the cooling capacity amounts to 1.1 MW creating energy savings of around 25% per year.