R&D Underpins Solutions to Social Issues
The R&D Center strives to create new value through collaborative efforts based on keywords such as HACCP and IoT, and to help solve social issues through Hoshizaki products, including the development of CFC-free refrigerators and ice machines for climate change response, labor-saving devices for response to labor shortages, and electrolyzed water for safety and hygiene response.
Development of CFC-free refrigerators and ice machines (climate change response)
In Europe and North America, which were first with rules to halt climate change, but also in Japan, we are working on a low-GWP (global warming potential) refrigerant. The shift toward CFC-free equipment is accelerating at retailers and convenience stores, and we are utilizing proprietary technology to design various proposals and watching market trends.
At HOTERES JAPAN 2022, Hoshizaki exhibited a commercial refrigerator that uses natural refrigerants, which cleared the safety standards of industry standards* for the first time in Japan.
* JRA4078 by the Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association
Standards that specify safety requirements against leakage of refrigerant in the built-in freezing and refrigerating equipment that uses flammable refrigerant
"Pre Jet Washer" to Save Labor in the Kitchen Cleaning Line (Response to Labor Shortage)
Using the dishwasher in the kitchen requires soaking and pre-washing of the dishes in order to wash them cleanly; however, this work takes a great deal of time and trouble. Often described as 3D (dirty, dangerous and difficult), this is one of the tasks that many workers want to avoid. On the other hand, the neglect of the work will affect the result of dish-washing. Use of the Pre Jet Washer, which takes over soaking and pre-washing work, will improve work efficiency, ensure staff safety, and standardize work quality.
Development of electrolyzed water generators (safety and hygiene response)
In response to growing awareness of hygiene among customers, Hoshizaki provides electrolyzed water generators that produce hypochlorite water to disinfect foods and utensils. One of the products developed is a vending machine for take-away hypochlorite water (effective chlorine concentration of 80 ppm or more) that can be used for disinfecting and cleaning, in addition to electrolyzed water for the hygiene management of the kitchen as a whole.
Improving dishwasher performance to reduce burden on workers (response to labor shortage)
New developments in dishwashers are needed amid a growing labor shortage in the dishwashing area. To date, staff have to physically remove food residue before putting the dishes into the dishwasher, so we are working on development of a machine that will automatically remove food residue on the dishes, and thereby reduce the burden or reliance on staff.
Visualizing temperature management data (safety and hygiene response)
In kitchens, for example, that turn out a large volume of meals, temperatures must be maintained as indicated in the operating manual. We offer Hoshizaki Smart Band, which enables customers using our products to control temperature by computer. Seeking to raise overall business efficiency on the customer side, we work jointly with outside partners to develop cloud-based systems that facilitate temperature management for all equipment in the kitchen, including equipment made by other companies.
Touchless operation in with-COVID era (safety and hygiene response)
Hoshizaki has developed ice chip dispensers and ice cube dispensers that can output ice using sensors and foot switches, which enables the serving of customers at drink corners in eating establishments or similar places in a touchless manner.