2. Transfer and storage

Given the fragile microstructure of frozen desserts, these operations, which are not part of the manufacturing process, should not be considered as secondary, and scrupulous respect for the cold chain is an essential requirement. On leaving the packaging for some, and the hardening tunnel for others, the consumer sales units are grouped together in secondary corrugated cardboard packaging. They are then conveyed to the palletizer for tertiary packaging, where a polymer film stabilizes the cartons on the pallet.

In large installations, product storage in the low-temperature storage area (– 15 to – 30 °C) is fully automated. Each pallet is identified by an SSCC (Serial Shipping Container Code), with an EAN (European Article Number) label, which is used to automate shipping and delivery processes, combined with EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) messages. They are then...