Air Products' New Freshline® QS Tunnel Freezer Provides Food Processors With a Quick Start to Cryogenic Freezing

New Freezer Brings Benefits of Cryogenic Freezing to Smaller Volume Processors and Start-Ups

News provided by

Aug 29, 2011, 04:30 ET

LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa., Aug. 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Air Products (NYSE: APD) is introducing to the North American food market its Freshline® QS tunnel freezer, which can be used to cryogenically freeze or cool a wide variety of foods such as meat and poultry, seafood, fruits and vegetables, pasta, dairy products, baked goods and prepared meals. Designed with simplicity in mind, the new tunnel freezer is ideal for smaller volume food processors and start-ups that want to quickly begin freezing a high quality product with minimal upfront cost.

The QS tunnel freezer can be integrated into new or existing production lines in minimal time and is also well-suited for food processors wanting to convert to continuous freezing, alleviate a bottleneck in their operation, or grow and diversify their existing product line.

"The Freshline QS tunnel freezer is an economical and easy-to-operate freezer that was developed with smaller volume food processors and start-ups in mind," says Marna Schmidt, North America Food industry manager at Air Products. "The design of the new freezer enables a faster start-up with minimal upfront cost, making cryogenic freezing a more practical option for smaller volume food processors."

Schmidt also explains that with the QS tunnel freezer, in-process or continuous freezing can be quickly integrated into a food production line, enabling manufacturers to free up walk-in freezer storage space by converting their process to a freeze-to-order operation.

Air Products' cryogenic freezers―which use the extremely cold temperature of liquid nitrogen (LIN) (-196 degrees C) to achieve temperature reduction―are capable of freezing food within minutes instead of the hours required by traditional ammonia- or freon-based systems. This quick freeze not only can contribute to a higher yield, but also can enhance product quality. When food products are frozen more rapidly, it results in the formation of smaller ice crystals, which causes less damage to a product's cellular structure. This enables food products to maintain moisture, which not only improves texture, color and flavor, but also translates into smaller weight losses from dehydration and higher yields.

The Freshline QS tunnel freezer has an easy-to-use automated control system where product-specific operating set points can be stored, which can reduce the time and manpower needed to freeze products. The innovative design, with open and easy access to the internal parts of the freezer, allows for simple cleaning to meet the latest hygiene and safety standards of the food industry. In addition, the simple design of the QS tunnel freezer, with fewer moving parts than traditional cryogenic freezers, leads to less maintenance.

Air Products has been providing the food industry with solutions for freezing, chilling, coating, mixing, forming, packaging and wastewater treatment for more than 40 years. With state-of-the-art, fully-equipped food laboratories in the U.S., Europe and Asia, Air Products can test a customer's product to determine the feasibility of using the Freshline QS tunnel freezer for their specific process. For more information about the Freshline QS tunnel freezer or to schedule a product trial, call 1-800-654-4567 (610-706-4730 outside of the U.S.) or visit us online at www.airproducts.com/industries/FoodBeverage.aspx.

Air Products (NYSE: APD) serves customers in industrial, energy, technology and healthcare markets worldwide with a unique portfolio of atmospheric gases, process and specialty gases, performance materials, and equipment and services. Founded in 1940, Air Products has built leading positions in key growth markets such as semiconductor materials, refinery hydrogen, home healthcare services, natural gas liquefaction, and advanced coatings and adhesives. The company is recognized for its innovative culture, operational excellence and commitment to safety and the environment. In fiscal 2010, Air Products had revenues of $9 billion, operations in over 40 countries, and 18,300 employees around the globe. For more information, visit www.airproducts.com.

***NOTE: This release may contain forward-looking statements within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on management's reasonable expectations and assumptions as of the date of this release regarding important risk factors. Actual performance and financial results may differ materially from projections and estimates expressed in the forward-looking statements because of many factors not anticipated by management, including risk factors described in the Company's Form 10K for its fiscal year ended September 30, 2010.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

A brief video and downloadable photo of Air Products' new Freshline QS tunnel freezer are available in Air Products' News Center at www.airproducts.com/company/news-center/2011/0829-freshline_qs_tunnel_freezer.

SOURCE Air Products