Rethinking Freeze & Thaw – Innovation at ZETA
Water-free thawing and air-based freezing: A new generation of solutions
One of the most exciting developments is a water-free thawing bath that uses stainless steel beads as heat carriers instead of water. This approach enables gentle, uniform thawing across various packaging formats – from stainless steel containers to single-use bags. A pilot study confirmed the efficiency and consistency of heat transfer using a 700 ml model of a 300-liter industrial container.
In another forward-looking project, ZETA is testing a freeze system that uses air as the sole refrigerant – completely eliminating natural or synthetic gases. This innovation is designed to meet future EU regulations on refrigerant reduction while maintaining high performance. Initial trials have already been conducted, and a testable prototype is currently being validated through detailed temperature mapping.
From concept to GMP: Innovation with purpose
These developments are more than technical milestones – they reflect ZETA’s commitment to sustainable, scalable, and scientifically grounded process design. Whether it’s improving product safety, reducing environmental impact, or enabling modular production, ZETA continues to push the boundaries of what Freeze & Thaw can achieve.
