The UAE experiences substantial food wastage due to the perishable nature of many products, lack of proper refrigeration facilities, inadequate temperature control, low-grade food handling standards, refrigerant leaks and inefficient cold chains.
There is a critical need for improved refrigeration systems and cold storage facilities in the UAE to meet the rapid population growth in major cities, such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi. This growth is driving the need for increased food imports, processing and consumption.
The increase in the consumption of ready-to-eat products, beverages and frozen food is further challenging existing cold chain infrastructure and driving demand for commercial refrigeration equipment.
The challenges facing the industry include:
- Decentralised control methods and system
- Flexibility to simulate carbon dioxide(CO2) booster systems for supermarket refrigeration
- Optimal energy control strategies
- Intelligent use of environmentally friendly and energy-saving systems
- Understanding the ROI of new, energy-efficient technology
Cutting-edge technologies that will be discussed include:
- Extending and ensuring the shelf life of products
- Maintaining energy-saving strategies to improve performance of cold storage applications
- Carbon dioxide (CO2) refrigeration systems for chilled and frozen food cabinets
- Conforming to health standards and preventing hazards by leveraging the benefits of using natural refrigerants
- Effective methods for implementing food safety in refrigeration
- Future trends in commercial refrigeration, and many more
