Stay Fresh Longer: The Impact of Vacuum Cooling on Turf Quality and Logistics

Turf growers are constantly battling time and temperature to deliver fresh, high-quality products. As demand for pristine turf grows, maintaining freshness right after harvesting, storage and during transportation is crucial for success. With vacuum cooling technology, Heuch Cooling Solutions is helping Australian turf growers extend the life of their product, reduce waste, and optimise logistics.

The Post-Harvest Challenge

After turf is harvested, it begins a rapid process of deterioration due to heat and moisture retention within densely packed rolls. These factors can raise turf temperatures to over 60°C, accelerating spoilage and causing visual degradation. Traditional cooling methods have struggled to preserve the quality of turf during transport, leading to high waste rates and delayed deliveries.

Enter Vacuum Cooling

Vacuum cooling is a breakthrough technology that has already transformed turf operations in Europe, and now it’s being successfully implemented in Australia. The process works by rapidly lowering the atmospheric pressure around the harvested turf, causing moisture to evaporate and the product to cool in minutes. This results in turf cooling from around 30°C to 2°C in under 35 minutes, effectively halting the spoilage process before it even begins.

Proven Success with Australian Turf Growers

Heuch Cooling Solutions has conducted successful trials with Australian turf, such as Sir Walter DNA Certified and Eureka Kikuyu turf. In these trials, turf maintained optimal temperatures for over 40 hours with no need for re-cooling, preserving its quality and vitality.

Key benefits from the trial include:

• Freshness retention: Turf maintained high moisture levels without excess dehydration.
• Improved logistics: Stabilised turf could enter the supply chain early, reducing risks during transit and improving delivery reliability.
• Extended shelf life: Visual appeal, root health, and moisture levels were preserved for a longer time, leading to higher-quality turf on arrival.
  

The Competitive Advantage of Vacuum Cooling

Vacuum cooling offers more than just a way to preserve freshness—it brings operational flexibility, enhances competitiveness, and reduces waste. For Australian turf growers, vacuum cooling is the game-changer that leads to:

• Reduced waste: With modern turf varieties, post-harvest loss can be as high as 20%. Vacuum cooling can virtually eliminate this.
• Better labour management: Harvesting can now be scheduled during daylight hours, improving worker satisfaction and retention.
• Weather resilience: Unpredictable weather, including rain, no longer disrupts harvesting schedules.
• Faster deliveries: By stabilising turf in advance, growers can fulfil next-day orders, even at a premium price.
• Moisture control: The process reduces surface moisture loss, making turf lighter and easier to handle, while preventing spoilage.
  

More Than Just Cooling

Heuch Cooling Solutions is more than just a provider of vacuum cooling technology. Our comprehensive cold chain solutions ensure your turf stays fresh from harvest to delivery:

• Mobile and fixed cool rooms designed for optimal turf storage.
• Solar-powered refrigerated transport kits that can be retrofitted to existing trucks.
• Industrial ice makers and environmental chambers to ensure the right climate at every stage of your turf’s journey.
  

Want to Learn More About Vacuum Cooling for Turf?

Discover how vacuum cooling can transform your turf business. Visit our Vacuum Cooling page to learn more about the technology, or contact us today to request more information, download our brochure, or schedule a demo unit at your facility.

📞 Call us on 1300 001 952


📩 Email us at cool@heuch.com.au


🌐 Visit our Turf Page for more product information