Technology
TECHNOLOGY
Smarter Chilling & Freezing for Maximum Return
HIVE® is a modular, inline chilling and freezing system that uses direct-contact heat exchange to deliver rapid, uniform cooling. It’s patented rectangular tube design, closed-loop ammonia refrigeration, and automated handling allow processors to achieve faster cycle times, lower costs, and consistent product geometry (and entrapment free), all with the flexibility to switch between chilling and freezing on demand.
How It Works
HIVE uses a series of jacketed rectangular tubes connected to a closed-loop ammonia refrigeration plant. Each tube operates independently, allowing a continuous batch flow that evens out refrigeration load, eliminates idle time, and scales easily with your capacity requirements.
SET OF STEPS
Process Steps
HIVE’s process is simple, continuous, and engineered for efficiency:
1. Fill
Fresh products is pumped into a rectangular freezing tube.
2. Chill/Freeze
The product is cooled via direct contact with the ammonia-cooled tube walls
3. Defrost Release
Low-temp defrost breaks the bond between product and tube.
4. Extrude
Fresh product pushes the chilled/ frozen black out.
5. Cut
Extruded product is cut into consistent nude blocks (crust frozen or solid frozen).
6. Repeat
The tube immediately returns to freeze time. No Idle time.
Each tube is individually controlled allowing for sequential production, resulting in a continuous batch system, levelling out the demand on the refrigeration plant
TECHNOLOGY
Engineering Advantages
Dual Mode
Switch instantly between chilling and freezing depending on production needs.
Zero COâ‚‚ Dependence
Eliminates consumable gas costs and supply risks.
No Plastic Entrapment
Output as nude blocks ready for packaging or cartonless palletizing.
Scalable Design
Add tubes to increase capacity without reconfiguring the plant.
Automation Ready
Blocks integrate directly with palletising, thermoforming, or other automated systems.
Even Refrigeration Load
Independent tubes prevent power spikes and optimise plant efficiency.
TECHNOLOGY
Why It’s Different
Unlike plate or blast freezers, HIVE delivers rapid results —freezing product to below –18 °C in less than two hours. This speed eliminates
bottlenecks and reduces the need for costly freezer storage. At the same time, HIVE removes reliance on consumable COâ‚‚ or Nâ‚‚ for chilling, cutting both operating costs and supply-chain risk. The result is a more efficient, sustainable system that achieves consistent product quality
without compromise.
Why It Outperforms Traditional Systems
-
Eliminates COâ‚‚/Nâ‚‚ use (~$150/MT savings)
-
Prevents carton bulging, leaks, and plastic entrapment
-
Frees up blast & plate freezer capacity
-
Reduces labour with inline automation
-
Improves cold chain resilience via chilled latent energy storage