Air Curtain Solution to Keep Everyday Amazing

Biddle provide Aldi with a cold storage solution at their site in Cardiff.

Aldi, one of the UK’s leading supermarket chains, continuously seeks innovative solutions to maintain product integrity and energy efficiency across its stores. When faced with operational challenges in one of their freezer areas, Aldi turned to Biddle as a trusted HVAC solutions provider.

The Challenge

Aldi experienced issues with condensation plumes entering the freezer space, creating temperature fluctuations that could potentially impact operational efficiencies. The nature of the freezer entrance, measuring 3 metres high by 3 metres wide, created a substantial open interface between chilled and freezer environments.

The key priorities were:

• Minimising warm air infiltration and moisture ingress
• Maintaining stable freezer temperatures for food safety and energy efficiency
• Reducing the risk of icing on surfaces

Why Biddle?

Despite the difficulties associated with a challenge of this magnitude, Biddle embraced the project determined to provide a solution tailored to Aldi’s operational requirements.

Cold storage environments, and supermarket cold chain applications more generally, present unique challenges outside the typical air curtain remit. These include high temperature deltas and the impact of humidity on equipment and cold rooms.

Biddle conducted an extensive site survey, working closely with Aldi to capture the precise operational requirements and physical characteristics of the space. Visiting the site, as well as actively engaging with Aldi, provided enough information to develop the ultimate solution to this site’s challenges.

The Solution

Following its survey and design process, Biddle proposed and supplied the IndAC2 air curtain, an advanced solution with the capability to support Cold Storage applications. With its ability to provide an effective air barrier for doorways up to 6 metres high, the IndAC2 was more than capable of handling Aldi’s 3m x 3m opening.

For this project, side shields were installed on both sides of the unit. Their primary purpose being to minimise lateral air infiltration by improving the containment of the conditioned air stream, boosting the overall effectiveness of the air curtain.

Given the information returned from the site survey, an off-the-shelf IndAC2 air curtain was not going to cut it, and further developments were needed. The product supplied for Aldi incorporated a customised software configuration, which included:

• Specific temperature setpoints tailored to freezer operations
• Bespoke overrun times (run-on durations after door closure)

The Results

By installing Biddle’s tailored IndAC2 air curtain solution, Aldi will see the benefits through:

• Elimination of visible condensation plumes entering the freezer
• Enhanced staff safety and workflow efficiency around the freezer entrance
• Improved energy efficiency by reducing cold air loss
• Maintained optimal storage temperatures, ensuring food quality and compliance

During commissioning of the air curtain, Biddle’s Technical Support Manager Michael Burridge showcased the performance of the air curtain using a thermal imaging camera. This clearly shows that deploying the IndAC2 creates a barrier preventing heat transfer across the threshold, with an internal temperature of -18.2°C in the freezer and external temperature of -3.0°C in the chiller room.

This project demonstrates the importance of selecting an HVAC partner capable of delivering engaged, technically robust, and application-specific solutions. Biddle’s willingness to listen, innovate, and tailor its IndAC2 air curtain to Aldi’s unique operational challenges ensured a successful outcome that improved energy performance, food safety, and workplace safety.

Leading the project for Aldi, Maintenance Manager Jack Booth said:

“The Biddle-Air sales team were very helpful and carried out an extensive survey to ensure they were recommending the right product. The Biddle-Air unit that we purchased seems to be a robust piece of equipment that will hopefully stand the test of time.

This article was featured in the Autumn ‘25 edition of BIMCRUNCH. Find the full magazine here.To learn more about Biddle or download their BIM objects, join Bimstore for free. For additional information, visit Biddle’s manufacturer profile or their company website and social media pages.