This section provides an overview for tunnel freezers as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 21 tunnel freezer manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked tunnel freezer companies as of November, 2024: 1.Dohmeyer, 2.NuAire, Inc., 3.OctoFrost.
Table of Contents
Tunnel freezers are machines designed for rapid freezing operations in an ambient room temperature environment. Their shape allows food to pass through while cold air is blown directly over it, quickly freezing the food through a temperature range where bacteria multiply rapidly (50 to 140 °F). The interior is steam-sterilizable, making it suitable for clean room installation. Unlike batch freezers, tunnel freezers ensure consistent exposure to cold air, though spiral freezers, with their compact design, may offer less cooling efficiency.
Tunnel freezers are integral to the food industry, processing seafood, meat, confectionery, bakery items, and frozen foods. They facilitate individual quick freezing (IQF) for products like rice, vegetables, ground meat, shrimp, and fish, allowing for bulk processing without clumping. Some models provide enhanced quick freezing capabilities, ideal for larger items like crabs or pizzas, and can perform rapid surface freezing to maintain moisture and facilitate easy slicing.
Cold air is circulated over the products by a unit cooler, maintaining constant temperatures at entry and exit points to ensure efficient freezing. Refrigerants such as ammonia gas, liquid nitrogen, or carbon dioxide are used, with some models offering IQF functionality for piece-by-piece freezing. Regular defrosting is necessary to maintain cooling efficiency, with some models featuring automatic defrosting systems to prevent frost buildup.
Models vary, with some equipped with clean-in-place (CIP) systems for automatic cleaning and defrosting. They are larger than batch and spiral tunnel freezers and should be chosen based on production needs.
Selecting a tunnel freezer requires consideration of production capacity, risk of food loss due to malfunction, and maintenance needs. They demand more intensive cleaning, especially when changing products, to ensure hygiene and prevent cross-contamination. Regular maintenance and possible backup refrigeration systems can mitigate production losses.
While tunnel freezers minimize uneven freezing compared to batch freezers, nozzle direction and product placement need careful adjustment to ensure uniform freezing. Regular defrosting is essential to prevent frost buildup from impairing airflow and cooling performance.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Nuaire, established in 1966 in the United States , specializes in the manufacturing of ventilation solutions and delivering it worldwide. Engaging in manufacturing air handling units, fans, and controls, the company caters to various industries, including healthcare, commercial, and residential sectors. It's motive revolves around enhancing indoor air quality while promoting energy efficiency. Leveraging the latest technology and the working hard to be excellent, the company has formed strategic partnerships and garnered industry recognition for its achievements. The company's proven track record encompassing decades of expertise, underscores its position as a game changer in the field of ventilation.
Zhejiang Guanfeng Food Machinery Co. Ltd. is a Chinese manufacturer of food processing machinery established in 2013 and based in Shaoxing City, Zhejiang. The company produces equipment for drying and dehydration, vacuum freeze drying, and quick-freezing operations. These include various automatic belt dryers, spiral or tunnel quick-freezing machines, and ice-water precooling machines. Aside from its products, the company also offers technical support as well as after-sales calibration, maintenance, and repair services.
Nantong Sinrofreeze Equipment Co, Ltd, founded in 2005, is a manufacturer and supplier specializing in comprehensive food freezing solutions based in Jiangsu, China. The company offers freezing systems for the food industry including products such as plate freezers, spiral freezers, tunnel freezers and refrigeration systems. Their portfolio also includes processing line solutions, and accessories, catering to global food processing needs.The company holds ISO:9001, CE, and other certifications, providing solutions that meet industry standards and swift technical support to their customers worldwide.
Dohmeyer, headquartered in Poland, is a global manufacturer and supplier of cryogenic refrigeration systems, specializing in chilling and freezing solutions. The company's product portfolio encompasses cabinet, in-line tunnel, immersion, and spiral freezers, along with cryogenic components and more. They also offer reconditioned systems and components, delivering cost-effective alternatives tailored to customer requirements. Their products find applications in diverse industries such as food processing, pharmaceuticals, aeronautics, plastics, and more. Dohmeyer provides comprehensive product and application support worldwide, with offices in Poland, Belgium, Dubai, USA, and a network of global partners.
OctoFrost is a manufacturer and supplier of advanced freezing and chilling solutions based in Sweden. Established in 1999, the company specializes in providing individual quick freezing (IQF) technology. This technology is designed to preserve the natural texture, color, and flavor of various food products by rapidly freezing them individually. The company's product lineup includes IQF tunnel freezers, multi-level impingement freezers, IQF processing lines, blanchers, shrimp processing equipment, and chillers. Its products can be used for processing a wide range of IQF products (fruits, vegetables, seafood, meat, poultry, pasta, and more).
Gelgoog Machinery is a manufacturer and supplier of commercial IQF Freezing and cooling systems based in China. Founded in 2010, the company's expertise extends across the entire spectrum of quick freezing solutions, encompassing design, manufacturing, installation, and maintenance of freezing machinery tailored to meet specific client needs. Its products are organized into five distinct categories: Fruit, Vegetable, Seafood, Meat, and Pastry Production Lines. The company serves various industries, including food processing, manufacturing, and commercial freezing and cooling solutions.
Industrial Refrigeration (IR), established in 1958, is a manufacturer and supplier specializing in industrial refrigeration systems and air conditioning systems based in Mumbai, India. The company’s portfolio encompasses a range of refrigeration and air conditioning solutions including flake ice machines, cold storage, IQF spiral freezers, plate ice machines, and more. IR partners with global companies like GEA group, IFS of UK and IBEX & Honeywell of UK providing turnkey food processing plants to diverse industries such as food, chemicals, entertainment, and hospitality.
GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft, founded in 1881 with headquarters in Germany, is an integrated manufacturer of process technology, machinery, and production plants. The company offers various products, including complete turnkey solutions for beverage plants, as well as beverage packaging services. The company has more than 18,000 employees working across five divisions and has facilities in over 60 countries, serving the food and beverage, chemical, marine, pharmaceutical, and energy markets, among others. GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft's service division works with clients to improve their production plant productivity, especially in the food and beverage industry.
Sartorius AG, started in 1870 and headquartered in Göttingen, Germany, is a manufacturer and supplier of lab products and bioprocess solutions. It is the parent company of the Sartorius Group and provides instruments, consumables, and services for chemical, biopharmaceutical, and academic set-ups. The company sells its products under several brand names, such as Cubis, Ambr, and Flexsafe, and provides services like bioprocess consulting, biologics testing, and instrument service. It is available in over 60 countries and is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange with preference and ordinary shares. It operates two divisions, namely bioprocess solutions and lab products and services.
inTEST Thermal Solutions, established in 1970 and headquartered in Mansfield, USA, is a manufacturer of temperature control systems for thermal testing, process cooling, and cold storage applications. The company’s product brands, Temptronic, Sigma Systems, and North Sciences, offer expertise in temperature control and simulation of extreme thermal environments from -185 to +500°C. It provides solutions for electronics, aerospace, and biomedical industries. With the capabilities of mechanical refrigeration, cryogenics, and cooling methods, the company ensures solutions for end users and OEMs. Its in-house expertise spans thermodynamics, mechanical, and software, utilizing Solidworks for design and manufacturing.
Terra Universal. Inc., established in 1976 and based in Fullerton, California, is a manufacturer and distributor specializing in environmental enclosures and laboratory furnishings. The company's product portfolio includes cell culture equipment, laboratory consumables, and vaccine cold storage equipment. These products are used in various industries, including pharmaceuticals, electronic manufacturing, and biotechnology. The company provides services including technical support and product manuals for proper installation and operation of equipment. The company serves clients in various countries, including Canada, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic.
Hengel Group, started in 1983 and based in Parigny, France, is a manufacturer of refrigeration, freezing, and preservation equipment for the food industry. The company's product portfolio includes freezers, preservation systems, and cooling towers used by hypermarkets, retail stores, and hotels in storage, proofing, and deep-freezing applications. The company also offers a business application for its partners and end-users to streamline the purchase and sale of equipment, as well as to provide consultation on technical specifications.
Kometos Oy, established in 1991 and headquartered in Kauhajoki, Western Finland, is a turn-key innovations designer, manufacturer, and supplier for the food industry’s needs globally. The company's products include thawing, stiffening, and freezing systems; modular production plants; and dosing and packaging lines. It has expanded its products to offer car wash modules. Its products are available to order online with support services that include maintenance programs, spare parts supply, and operator training programs. In the event of breakdowns, the company offers a fast reaction to service calls and the latest next-day arrival at the customer site.
Shandong Xindaxin Food Industry Equipment Co., Ltd., established in 1999, is a manufacturer of food processing equipment based in China. The company offers a diverse portfolio of machinery designed to streamline production processes, enhance efficiency, and elevate the overall quality of food products. Its product lineup includes a potato chips production line, deboning machines, quick-freezing machines, forming and coating solutions, and other production lines. One of its noteworthy product lines is its food frying equipment. These machines are engineered to deliver consistent frying results, ensuring that food products achieve the desired texture, flavor, and color.
Advanced Equipment Inc., established in 1986, is a manufacturer of tunnel freezer and spiral freezer systems, based in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada. The company has over 400 installations globally, catering to local, regional, national, international, and multi-national frozen food producers. Their freezers meet North American USDA, UL, CFIA, CSA, and OSHA standards for safety, sanitation, maintenance, and accessibility. Their team has over 250 years of combined refrigeration engineering experience and manufacture most components in-house. Their products have three different capacity ranges and operate in industries such as convenience foods, seafood, bakery, and ready meals, accommodating diverse production levels.
Advanced Food Equipment, LLC, established in 1990, is a global manufacturer and supplier specializing in industrial freezing and cooling equipment. The company offers an array of cooling, freezing, and processing equipment, including tunnel freezers, IQF freezers, shakers, spiral steamers, and more. Their solutions also include parts, repairs, maintenance, and product testing, catering to customers in the food processing and preservation sector. AFE adheres to C.S.A., U.S.D.A., and O.S.H.A. standards, serving markets worldwide with locations in North America, Europe, and South America.
Zhengzhou Taizy Machinery Co., LTD, established in 2011, is a manufacturer and supplier of food processing equipment headquartered in Zhengzhou, China. Their production line is segmented into flour food processing, nut processing, fruit & vegetable processing, egg & meat processing, and nut processing machines. They offer various fruit & vegetable processing machines such as dehydrators, juicers, slicers, and potato peeling & washing machines. Their flour food processing comprises an automatic spring roll maker, dough mixer, naan bread oven, dough roller machine, and encrusting machine. These products are used in the pharmaceutical, chemical, agricultural, and food industries.
Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. was established in 1940 and is based in Allentown, Pennsylvania as a manufacturer and distributor of atmospheric gases. Their product range comprises natural gas liquefaction (LNG) technology and equipment, liquid fuel, epoxy additives, advanced coatings, and adhesives, used in various industrial gas projects, including gasification initiatives that sustainably transform natural resources into syngas for the creation of valuable electricity, fuels, and chemicals. Its applications consist of effluent aeration, atmosphere control, atomic absorption, spectroscopy, annealing, and catalyst regeneration. The Company operates in various industries such as automotive, aerospace, chemicals, and healthcare.
Diaago is a distributor of laboratory equipment and consumables that was established in Danville, California, USA, in 2017. The company produces lab equipment such as shakers and water baths, lab consumables such as pipettes and racks, and automation equipment such as barcode scanners and tube cappers. It also offers consultation, installation, and personnel training services for customers requiring additional support. The company’s products are commonly used in the life sciences, biotech, and pharmaceutical industries.
Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft |
17.7%
|
2 | Dohmeyer |
12.1%
|
3 | OctoFrost |
9.9%
|
4 | NuAire, Inc. |
7.8%
|
5 | Nantong Sinrofreeze Equipment Co, Ltd |
6.4%
|
6 | Gelgoog Machinery |
5.7%
|
7 | Advanced Food Equipment, LLC |
5.7%
|
8 | Zhengzhou Taizy Machinery Co., LTD |
5.0%
|
9 | Air Products |
5.0%
|
10 | Advanced Equipment Inc. |
4.3%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the tunnel freezer page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
---|---|---|
China | 4 | 44.4% |
United States of America | 1 | 11.1% |
Poland | 1 | 11.1% |
Sweden | 1 | 11.1% |
India | 1 | 11.1% |
Germany | 1 | 11.1% |