Bright sparks at Hygienico hoping to revolutionise catering and hospitality with sub-zero tech

A new invention is set to make waves in the catering and hospitality sector, courtesy of scientists at Hygienico.

CEO Martyn Jutsum showing off HygienICE™. Credit: Hygienico

HygienICE™ CIM is a novel commercial ice making machine sanitiser which, like many such devices, relies on ozone from a generator.

Typical ozone generators are often criticised for their high energy consumption, excessive maintenance needs, expensive equipment, and safety concerns, as they tend to generate volatile by-products like hydrogen gas.

But Hygienico’s new technology offers a solution. Their sanitiser is based on the corona discharge method, an alternative way of generating ozone developed over the last five years at Andover’s Ozone Industries alongside food industry experts from Cardiff Metropolitan University.

Compared with other products, HygienICE™ only requires 14 Watts to run, with a longer lifespan, lower maintenance costs, and perhaps most importantly – higher ice making efficiency. What’s more, it only requires one deep clean a year.

Credit: Hygienico

Martyn Jutsum, CEO of Hygienico and one of the inventors involved in the development of the new device, said: “Ice machines are commonly used in catering and hospitality, but HygienICE™ is capable of producing pure, hygienic ice, while ensuring clean and safe components, surfaces and working environment.

“Almost 40% of the public liability cases in the UK insurance claims come from the catering and hospitality industry, and hygiene is the second most complained about issue with serious legal consequences.

“Having spoken to many catering business professionals who complain about the issues raised by local environmental officers about the hygiene of their ice machines, we believe that HygienICE™ is a real gamechanger, helping businesses to improve ice hygiene, saving money on maintenance and operational costs.”

With the sanitiser currently in the final stage of government-backed clinical trials, Martyn and the team at Hygienico are selecting members of the food and drink sector to participate in testing.

Pubs, bars, clubs, hotels, hospitals and schools across Cardiff are set to try out the new device, operating it alongside conventional ice makers and cleaning routines to see the difference for themselves.