EDEKA improves product quality with DryGenic® humidity control
Project Overview
Ventilex supplied a DryGenic® air dehumidification system to EDEKA Fleischwerk Hessengut, one of Germany’s leading meat processing facilities, to solve humidity-related challenges in its production and cold storage areas.
Excessive moisture caused condensation on ceilings, walls and equipment, icing in freezer rooms, and negatively affected hygiene, product shelf life and operational reliability. After evaluating several technologies and visiting reference installations within the food industry, EDEKA selected DryGenic for its unique hygroscopic air dehumidification principle.
The installation delivered stable humidity control, improved air quality and a more reliable production environment. Following years of successful operation, EDEKA expanded the installation during a plant extension and later became one of the first customers to implement the innovative DryGenic NXT energy-saving module.
The challenge
Maintaining the right humidity levels is essential in meat processing. High humidity can lead to condensation, hygiene issues, icing in cold storage areas and unnecessary downtime caused by moisture-related equipment failures.
EDEKA was looking for a reliable solution that could create a stable production climate while improving product quality and working conditions.
The Ventilex solution
Following extensive market research and visits to reference installations in the food industry, EDEKA selected the DryGenic® air dehumidification system.
Using a hygroscopic lithium chloride solution, DryGenic continuously removes moisture from the air while improving overall air quality. The system provides precise humidity control throughout the production process, reducing condensation and creating optimal conditions for food production.
Following the success of the first installation, EDEKA expanded the system in 2017 and later integrated the DryGenic NXT regeneration module to further improve energy efficiency.
Key features of DryGenic include:
Energy saving: 60% lower energy consumption than traditional air handling units (AHU)
Reliable: large volumes of accurately controlled air flow
Sterile: kills and removes 99.9% of airborne bacteria, viruses and molds
Longer shelf life: absence of condensation on product and equipment, preventing germinal breeding grounds
Minimal maintenance: nearly maintenance free, 30 year life span
Results
The DryGenic installation delivered measurable improvements throughout the production facility:
- Elimination of condensation on ceilings, walls and machinery
- Improved product shelf life for sliced meat products
- Better hygiene and cleaner production conditions
- Reduced machine and control failures caused by moisture
- Improved adhesion of packaging labels
- Better working conditions for employees
- Excellent air quality with reduced dust, yeasts and mould spores
The positive results and long-term reliability of the system led EDEKA to invest in additional DryGenic technology as part of future plant developments.
Customer testimonial
“Our expectations regarding air quality and drying performance, especially in eliminating condensation on ceilings, walls and machinery, were fully met to our complete satisfaction.”
Herr Wilzmann
EDEKA Fleischwerk Hessengut
Looking ahead
As part of its continuous improvement strategy, EDEKA implemented the innovative DryGenic NXT module to further reduce energy consumption. Based on the initial results, the company has expressed its interest in expanding this technology to existing installations, demonstrating its long-term confidence in the DryGenic solution.