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SME developed intelligent ice-detection sensors which reduce energy consumption in cold and deep freeze rooms

Summary

Profile Type
  • Business Offer
POD Reference
BODE20250327021
Term of Validity
27 March 2025 - 27 March 2026
Company's Country
  • Germany
Type of partnership
  • Commercial agreement
Targeted Countries
  • All countries
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General information

Short Summary
German SME combines self-developed ice-sensors and artificial intelligence software to significantly reduce its customers energy and maintenance costs and CO2 footprint. The solution can be easily retrofit as an add-on into existing facilities. Partners in e.g. food and beverage industry and production, companies with large canteens (Universities, Hospitals, Public Authorities, big companies) but also logistic companies with cold rooms are sought for cooperation.
Full Description
An SME from northern Germany has developed an intelligent control systems for industrial refrigeration, with a strong focus on cold rooms in the food industry, wholesale trade and temperature-controlled logistics that measures icing in cold storage rooms, enabling continuous monitoring and immediate, intelligent responses to ice formation. The sensor can measure not only the speed of ice formation but also the thickness of the ice and other critical parameters. Their AI-powered solution functions as an add-on to existing control systems, regardless of the manufacturer, making it easy to retrofit into existing facilities without major modifications.
This provides an efficient way to operate cold storage rooms by preventing unnecessary defrosting and significantly reducing energy consumption.

The solution enables up to 40% savings in energy and operational costs, improves temperature stability, and extends the lifespan of refrigeration equipment – helping companies run more efficiently and sustainably.

The combination of sensors originally developed for the aerospace industry and artificial intelligence software, also leads to a noticeable reduction in CO2 emissions.

By continuously analyzing environmental data and user behavior – such as door openings, humidity levels, external temperatures, and load fluctuations – the system adapts dynamically to actual usage patterns. Key features include predictive cooling, intelligent pre-cooling during off-peak hours, peak shaving to reduce demand charges, and full 360° cold room monitoring.

The unique ice sensor detects frost buildup precisely, enabling energy-efficient, condition-based defrosting only when needed. This prevents both energy waste and unnecessary wear on equipment.

The company collaborates with a wide range of customers - from food producers and wholesalers to cold storage operators, university kitchens, and prepreg manufacturers. For these users, cold rooms are a central cost and quality factor. By using the solution they have more control, better energy performance, and measurable CO₂ reductions – all without replacing existing infrastructure.

In a time of rising energy costs and growing pressure to decarbonize, the company offers a plug-and-play solution with a seven-year guarantee that transforms traditional cold rooms into smart, efficient, and future-ready systems.
Advantages and Innovations
- Cost savings for energy up to 40% (in extreme cases even more)
- Cost savings maintenance
- Measurable CO2 footprint improvement
- Savings of working time, as employees no longer have to dedicate their time to defrosting
Stage of Development
  • Already on the market
Sustainable Development Goals
  • Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
  • Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
  • Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

Partner Sought

Expected Role of a Partner
Role of the partner:
The partnering company is equipped with the necessary sensor technology and receives technical instruction as well as ongoing support. The client wishes to establish sustainable business relations instead of simple selling his product.

Ideal partners are:
Any companies that uses deep freezing along their production chain benefits from a collaboration.
Typical partners are
- food and beverage industry and production,
- any company with large canteens (Universities, Hospitals, Public Authorities, big companies),
- system catering
- refrigerated logistics
- food trade and wholesale
- aviation companies using prepregs

What are preregs? Prepregs are composite materials used in aviation, consisting of fibers (like carbon or glass) pre-impregnated with resin. These lightweight yet strong materials are ideal for building aircraft components, such as wings and fuselages. To prevent premature curing, prepregs must be stored at temperatures between -18°C and -30°C, usually in freezers. Their production costs will very likely significantly reduced
Type and Size of Partner
  • SME <=10
  • SME 11-49
  • SME 50 - 249
  • Big company
  • University
  • Other
Type of partnership
  • Commercial agreement

Dissemination

Technology keywords
  • 02003001 - Process automation
  • 04007001 - Energy management
  • 09003 - Electronic measurement systems
Market keywords
  • 02007016 - Artificial intelligence related software
  • 02007022 - Software services
  • 08002002 - Industrial measurement and sensing equipment
  • 08002001 - Energy management
Sector Groups Involved
  • Aerospace and Defence
  • Agri-Food
  • Mobility - Transport - Automotive
Targeted countries
  • All countries