The latest news, trends, analysis, interviews and podcasts from the global food and beverage industry

FrieslandCampina has commissioned a new ice-water installation at its production site in Lummen as part of a €10 million investment aimed at improving sustainability, energy efficiency and workplace safety.

The site, where cream and skimmed cream are processed, has replaced its existing cooling infrastructure with a future-ready system that delivers both process cooling and building climate control.

According to the company, the new installation uses up to 50% less electricity than the previous system and is expected to cut overall energy costs by around 12%. The energy savings are equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of roughly 600 households.

The installation represents a significant upgrade for the dairy processor’s Belgian operations. In addition to improving energy efficiency, the project introduces carbon dioxide (CO₂) as the refrigerant, replacing ammonia traditionally used in industrial cooling systems.

The change significantly enhances safety conditions for employees while aligning the site with evolving environmental regulations and industry standards.

Ricardo van Wijk, plant director at the Lummen facility, said: “The opening of the new ice-water installation, which involved the contribution of 200 employees, is an important milestone for our production site".

“This investment strengthens the long-term future of our site and helps us achieve our 2030 climate goals.”

Further efficiency gains are expected later this year when heat pumps are integrated into the system. These will capture residual heat generated during the ice-water process and reuse it within the plant, including for processes such as pasteurisation and equipment cleaning.

By feeding this recovered heat into the facility’s internal heat network, the site will reduce wasted energy and improve overall production efficiency while further lowering its environmental footprint.