Nairobi, Kenya: PML Kenya has installed a $300,000 vacuum cooler to improve temperature control measurement and management at Mitchell Cotts Air Cargo Terminal in Nairobi.
The new Weber vacuum cooler can extend the life of products by 2-7 times than usual cooling methods. The system cools products from 20-30 degree C to 1-5 degree C in 15-30 minutes and has a maximum capacity of four tonnes.
The installation allows landside and airside access so customers can deliver products landside, have them vacuum cooled and then stored in cold rooms. The already cooled shipments can then be delivered to the aircraft (airside) directly from the cold stores within the shortest possible time frame, reducing exposure times and effectively maintaining the cool chain to maximise shelf life, PML says.
This is the first major project where PML Kenya and Mitchell Cotts have joined as business partners. PML Kenya is anticipating increased business from existing and new small holder shippers and growers, that will benefit from cost effective and easily accessible vacuum cooling. The equipment launched on 12 January 2023 and is already in use.
PML Kenya is looking to install a blast chiller at the same site to cool products that arrive on site hot but which do not qualify for vacuum cooling.
Silas Kashindi, group director, PML Kenya says, “This latest investment is a perfect example of our ongoing commitment to providing a best-in-class cool chain management solution to our clients and collaborating with like-minded businesses – who share our vision and values – to achieve this.”
