Blast Chillers: An Innovative Refrigeration Solution Enhancing the Profitability of Food Businesses in North America
Since the last few decades, consumption of processed foods and beverages has increased tremendously across the globe, especially in countries of North America such as the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Rise in industrialization and urbanization in these nations has led to surge in the disposable incomes of people living in metropolitan cities and urban areas. The busy schedules and on-the-go lifestyles adopted by these people have been the major factors for the rise in demand for frozen foods and packaged beverages. These changing behavioral patterns and consumer preferences have compelled North America food processing companies to invest in advanced technologies such as blast chillers.
North America Blast Chiller Market
Increased Reliance on Blast Chillers Improving the Growth Rate of the Industry
Blast chillers are specialized kitchen appliances used to drastically lower the temperature of cooked foods within a short time. Precisely, these refrigeration systems bring down the temperature of food items from 70°C to 3°C within 90 minutes by blowing chilled air onto the edible products. The main purpose of this process is to minimize the growth of bacteria in these food items. Several biological and chemistry studies have shown that various species of bacteria thrive between 8°C and 68°C. Hence, most cooked food items, especially those containing perishable ingredients spoil and become inedible within a few hours of preparation, if not stored properly.
In the post-pandemic period, there has been growth in awareness regarding the importance of balanced diets and healthy lifestyles. In the North America region, people have started demanding packaged food products that are completely free from any contamination and adulteration. This has surged the demand for blast chillers in countries such as the U.S. and Canada where fast food chains and restaurants have high presence even in small cities and towns. These advanced kitchen appliances have proven to be quite beneficial in maintaining the quality of food items such as soups, baked products, sauces, and stews. Furthermore, blast chillers have enabled food processing companies to reduce wastage of raw materials and manage food leftovers in a much better manner.
Strategic Alliances and Product Launches Opening New Investment Avenues
As per a report published by Allied Market Research, the North America blast chillers market is expected to gather a revenue of $522.3 million by 2032. The industry was valued at $271.9 million in 2022 and is anticipated to rise at a CAGR of 6.6% during 2023-2032. The strategic alliances established by various multinational companies and launch of innovative products have helped the sector grow. In May 2021, for instance, Welbilt, Inc., a food service equipment company, announced a partnership with Nuovair, an Italian blast chillers manufacturer. As part of this collaboration, Welbilt has become the exclusive distributor of Nuovair’s refrigeration systems in the U.S. and Canada. The collaboration has helped both businesses to expand their footprint in the North America region.
Similarly, in July 2022, Traulsen, a refrigeration company, announced the launch of a new line of reach-in and under-counter blast chillers. These systems feature digital control panels that allow users to select different cooling options. With simple-to-use functionalities, these appliances are designed to improve kitchen workflows and minimize food waste, thus increasing the profitability of businesses in the long run. The product portfolio expansion has boosted the revenue share of the company in the last few years and is expected to augment the growth rate of the industry in the near future.
To sum it up, the North America blast chillers industry is anticipated to witness huge growth on account of increased preference for packaged foods and beverages in countries like Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. The growing emphasis on the consumption of uncontaminated food items has increased the adoption of blast chillers by various leading fast-food chains and restaurants in this region.