Sustainable Cooling System at Dijkstra Plastics

Dijkstra Plastics faced a clear challenge: the company wanted to improve the sustainability of its production process by reducing CO₂ emissions and energy costs. Continuity was essential — the production process could not be disrupted and temperature conditions had to remain stable. It was also important that the new cooling system would seamlessly integrate with existing production lines and infrastructure. Finally, Dijkstra Plastics desired a flexible solution that could be easily expanded or adapted to changing production requirements in the future.

For this project, we at Industrial Air Company chose an innovative and efficient approach. The cooling system was fully prefabricated in our own workshop. This was done in the form of three large cooling modules, housed in containers. By opting for prefab construction, we were able to thoroughly test the installation before it was brought to the site. This not only reduced the assembly time at Dijkstra Plastics but also ensured minimal disruption during installation.

We deliberately chose ammonia (NH₃) as the refrigerant, a natural coolant with an Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) and Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 0. This aligns perfectly with Dijkstra Plastics’ sustainability ambitions. Additionally, the system was equipped with integrated heat recovery technology. As a result, the heat released from the cooling process is not wasted but reused for other heating processes within the factory. This leads to a significant reduction in overall energy consumption.

To ensure business continuity, an emergency cooling system was also included in the design. In the event of a system failure, the factory can immediately switch to a groundwater pump, ensuring the cooling chain is never interrupted. Furthermore, the installation is equipped with an advanced control system developed by our own engineers. Thanks to this technology, the system can be monitored and adjusted remotely 24/7. This gives Dijkstra Plastics maximum control over their cooling system at any time of the day.

The implemented cooling solution provides multiple benefits for Dijkstra Plastics. The use of ammonia and heat recovery has significantly reduced energy costs and decreased the ecological footprint of production. Business continuity has improved through prefab construction, the built-in emergency cooling system, and the possibility of remote monitoring. Moreover, the installation is flexible and future-proof; expansion or adaptation is easily possible thanks to the modular design.

The end result is a sustainable, efficient, and reliable cooling system that seamlessly aligns with the processes and ambitions of Dijkstra Plastics. The collaboration has led to high customer satisfaction and an important step in making their production more sustainable.