Cold Rooms & Blast Freezers for Seafood Export
India is the world's second-largest seafood exporter (₹60,000+ crore). Export-grade processing demands blast freezing within 4 hours of landing, IQF for shrimp & fish portions, and SS316 chambers that survive coastal salinity. HyperCold builds EU/USFDA-compliant seafood freezing & storage facilities for processors in Andhra, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Odisha, and Gujarat.
Fresh fish 0–2°C with ice • Frozen seafood -25 to -30°C • Blast -35 to -40°C
85–95% RH
Fresh 5–7 days • Frozen 6–12 months • IQF 18+ months
Common Use Cases
- Plate freezers for block-frozen fish (50 mm, 90 min)
- Spiral IQF tunnels for shrimp (250 kg–2 MT/hr)
- Batch blast freezer for whole fish (-35°C)
- Frozen seafood cold storage -25°C
- Pre-process chill room 0–2°C with ice
- Glazing chamber for shrimp / fish coating
- Reefer container pre-cooling room
Engineering Details
Why SS316 for coastal sites
Coastal salt aerosols corrode SS304 within 4–6 years (visible pitting on welds). SS316 (with 2.5% molybdenum) extends life to 15+ years in chloride-rich environments. Mandatory for EU export plant certification within 5 km of coast.
Blast freezing for export grade
EU Regulation 853/2004 requires fishery products be frozen 'as rapidly as possible' to core temperature -18°C. Indian export practice: surface temperature -18°C within 4 hours, core -18°C within 8 hours. HyperCold blast freezers achieve this at 5–10 MT batches with R-404A or NH₃ depending on plant scale.
IQF tunnel design
Spiral IQF for shrimp: 25–35 minute residence time at -35°C air, product enters at +4°C exits at -18°C surface. Belt loading 8–12 kg/m². Defrost between shifts to prevent ice build-up on belt drives. Stainless mesh belt with HDPE side guides.
Glazing & packaging
Glazing water at 0–1°C in a separate chamber — IQF product dipped briefly to coat with 5–10% water by weight (prevents freezer burn). Glazing room independent of main freezer to avoid condensation issues. Packaging room +4°C to allow operator comfort while keeping product cold.
Capacity Range
From 2 MT batch blast freezer (~₹18 lakh) to 10 MT/hr IQF + 500 MT cold storage integrated plant (₹3–5 crore).
FAQs
What is the EU/USFDA certification process timeline?
Plant inspection by EIC (Export Inspection Council) → MPEDA registration → EU TRACES listing. Engineering build to EU compliance: 6–10 months. Certification: 3–4 months post-commissioning.
Can I use one freezer for fish and shrimp?
Yes for storage. Not for IQF (shrimp IQF design differs from fish portion design).