Nelumbo and Daylight Foods collaborate on deploying IceNein anti-ice technology

Nelumbo Inc. and Daylight Foods are partnering to deploy IceNein® anti-ice technology in cold storage facilities. The $2.9 million grant from the California Energy Commission will help advance commercial adoption and contribute to decarbonisation and energy efficiency in California’s cold chain.

Nelumbo Inc., a pioneering surface and coating technology business, disclosed that it will collaborate with Daylight Foods on a California Energy Commission initiative to deploy Nelumbo’s anti-ice technology, IceNein®. Daylight Foods is a well-known Bay Area food distribution company, and with a $2.9 million grant from the California Energy Commission (CEC), Nelumbo will launch its innovative IceNein® product at its Union City site.

This CEC grant funds the deployment of IceNein in cold storage facilities, with the purpose of advancing commercial adoption of IceNein and contributing to the decarbonisation and energy efficiency of California’s cold chain. Refrigeration accounts for approximately one-third of total electricity usage in the food processing industry1, resulting in an estimated 825 GWh of yearly energy demand. Furthermore, refrigeration energy prices are one of the highest operational costs for cold storage facilities and can have a considerable impact on profitability.

“We were thrilled to find a partner like Daylight Foods practically in our backyard,” states Cody Oliver, Vice President of Industrial Platform Development at Nelumbo Inc. “Their facility in Union City is a perfect place to demonstrate the energy savings potential of IceNein®, and their sustainability initiatives perfectly align with our mission. We are also very thankful that the CEC continues to recognise the potential of IceNein® to be a transformative solution to decarbonizing our cold chain, and that they are committed to accelerating widespread adoption of this technology.

Daylight Foods is renowned for its commitment to delivering fresh produce while prioritising sustainability. Keith Brewer COO of Daylight Foods stated, “As the demonstration site partner on this grant, Daylight Foods is proud to collaborate with Nelumbo in pioneering innovative solutions for cold storage efficiency. We believe that IceNein® has the potential to revolutionize the industry, driving both environmental and economic benefits.”

IceNein exists to help decarbonisation of cooling systems, including refrigerators and heat pumps. Today, all low-temperature cooling systems require energy-intensive and disruptive defrosting procedures. With IceNein, the first coating to directly solve frost and ice challenges in cooling products, both existing and new systems can be more productive for longer at lower cost. IceNein is based on the Mineral® technology platform, has been developed and tested over 8 years, and is currently produced in Nelumbo’s SF Bay Area HQ facility.