04.12.2024 | News
The Icelandic company’s chilling solution optimises energy and water usage while ensuring food safety and minimising food waste. New funding from Nefco will expedite the roll-out of a new energy-saving concept.
Nefco – the Nordic Green Bank – has signed a EUR 2 million loan agreement with Thor Ice Chilling Solutions ehf, an Icelandic high-tech company focused on chilling methods for the food industry. First funded by Nefco in 2020, a second loan from Nefco will add to Thor Ice’s existing financing and enable the company to expedite the roll-out of its innovative energy-saving concept and continue growing internationally.
The new energy-saving concept, complementing Thor Ice’s existing patented core technology IceGun®, allows factories to reduce energy consumption during poultry chilling and produce slurry ice when it is most cost-effective. The use of slurry ice, compared to traditional water- or ice-based chilling methods, enables faster cooling of poultry, fish and other food products, resulting in reduced water and energy consumption. This not only delivers fresher and higher-quality food products but also mitigates the risk of contamination and food waste. The new energy-saving system further optimises energy and water usage by producing slurry ice during low-cost periods or when energy consumption is minimal.
“Thor Ice has an innovative technology and their mission to reduce environmental impacts in food production is an important one. We are happy to support the scale-up of their new energy-saving concept and thereby the international growth of the company,” stated Vivi Avikainen, Investment Manager at Nefco.
Established in 2002, Thor Ice Chilling Solutions has been revolutionising poultry and seafood chilling methods with their slurry ice chilling technology, IceGun®. This technology ensures food safety, longer shelf life and increased profitability by rapidly reducing the core temperature of poultry and seafood during the chilling process. An initial loan from Nefco in 2020 has already facilitated the scale-up of IceGun® technology. Thor Ice has also received financial support from Nopef, a financial instrument managed by Nefco, for a feasibility study related to their growth on international markets.
“This new funding from Nefco will enable us to accelerate the implementation of our energy-saving concept, bringing us closer to our goal of a more sustainable and efficient food industry. We are delighted about our continued collaboration with Nefco and see it as a great milestone on our growth path,” commented Þorsteinn Ingi Víglundsson, CEO, Thor Ice Chilling Solutions.
With its main office and business development based in Iceland, a subsidiary and production in Denmark and a sales office in the Netherlands, Thor Ice Chilling Solutions currently employs 16 full-time staff. Its commitment to environmental efforts has been recognised with the company’s nomination for the Nordic Council’s Environment Prize in 2021.
For more information, please contact:
Vivi Avikainen, Investment Manager, Nefco
vivi.avikainen@nefco.int, +358 10 6180 661
Thorsteinn Ingi Viglundsson, CEO, Thor Ice Chilling Solutions
thor@thorice.is, +354 820 0038
About Thor Ice Chilling Solutions
Thor Ice is the pinnacle of innovation in poultry processing, providing a smart and efficient bird-chilling solution that meets the highest industry standards. Designed specifically for poultry operations, Thor Ice ensures rapid and uniform cooling, preserving meat quality and extending shelf life while adhering to strict food safety protocols.
Thor Ice’s cutting-edge system utilises advanced chilling technology to achieve precise temperature control, reducing bacterial growth and minimising weight loss during processing. With a focus on sustainability, Thor Ice is engineered for energy efficiency, helping lower operational costs while supporting eco-friendly practices.
Whether you are a large-scale processor or a growing operation, Thor Ice adapts to your needs, providing consistent performance and reliable results. Enhance your poultry processing with Thor Ice – the intelligent, efficient and dependable solution for maintaining quality and safety from farm to fork.