PEORIA, ILL.—Electrolux and Sharp Corp. are working together to develop a new range of midsized, energy-efficient frost-free refrigerators. This project is part of a broader strategic collaboration within major appliances between the two companies. The refrigeration project started last year and includes mutual exchange of information, know-how and consumer research. In terms of product development/technical development, the two companies have built a structure of sharing tasks on product planning, production, and assessment of products. This first project consists of joint development of six different types of environmentally friendly, energy-saving small and midsize frost-free refrigerators. Electrolux and Sharp...

BENICIA, CALIF.—Pacific Ozone Technology, a supplier of OEM ozone equipment, has launched Element Ozone, a subsidiary company supplying ozone technology for light commercial applications. Element Ozone’s countertop ozone generator is designed for kitchens in hotel restaurants and can be used to sanitize and disinfect hands, foods and food prep surfaces. “Because of the increased liability food service companies have, the industry is ready to embrace ozone as an antimicrobial agent, says Jeremy Ke, operations manager for Element Ozone. Ozone provides organizations with an effective barrier against contamination. In addition, it is natural, eco-friendly and produces a natural by-product:...

NATIONAL REPORT—Looking to trim energy consumption and costs in the kitchen? The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Energy Star “ Commercial Food Service” Web site is not a bad place to start. The site offers guidance on finding appropriate product sizes and models and features information on the four categories of products for which EPA has established energy efficiency specifications: hot food holding cabinets; steam cookers; fryers; and solid door reach-in refrigerators, freezers and refrigerator/freezers. Energy Star-qualified equipment is designed to use less energy and water, while continuing to provide high performance, reliability, efficiency and life-cycle cost benefits. “In general, Energy...

NATIONAL REPORT—With water heating accounting for approximately 40 percent of a hotel’s energy consumption, it is no wonder that an increasing number of hotels are implementing ozone laundry systems. Provided by about a dozen vendors around the United States, these systems can save about 80 percent in hot water consumption and up to 30 percent in overall water usage. The trend toward ozone system implementation comes at a time when an increasing number of hotels are bringing their laundry operations in-house. Jack Reiff, president of Worcester, Mass.-based Wet-Tech, says hotel operators who switch to ozone systems benefit from much...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Cleveland Range has introduced its new Convotherm Combi Steamer-Oven. It will be manufactured and marketed in the United States by Cleveland Range, an Enodis company, headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio. The oven has been designed for the rigors of American kitchens and features the Advanced Closed System +3 with “Crisp and Tasty,” “Press-and-Go” and the disappearing door—all pioneered and refined by Convotherm. Convotherm’s patented Advanced Closed System allows the amount of steam used during cooking to be tailored exactly to the type and size of food inside the oven—providing consistent temperature and humidity control. When steam saturation is...

SHARON, MASS.—The Green Restaurant Assn.(GRA), a national nonprofit organization now 250 restaurants strong, is helping restaurant operators around the United States take a big bite out of energy and other costs through its Certified Green Restaurant program. The Sharon, Mass.-based nonprofit provides consulting services to restaurateurs interested in helping the environment while cutting costs at the same time. GRA was first established in 1990. In addition to consulting services, it provides education and public relations support. The core of its operations is its Certified Green Restaurant program. To become certified, participants join GRA and then undergo an assessment to determine...

MENOMONEE FALLS, WI.—Alto-Shaam has introduced the new Platinum Series ASC-2E half-size convection oven. With a capacity of nine half-size sheet pans, this model features solid welded construction, porcelain enamel interior and is equipped with 4-inch, heavy-duty equipment legs or an optional oven stand. The oven includes a solid stainless steel door with a double pane thermal window. The controlled velocity of convected air also helps prevent product damage from high-velocity air movement. The oven is also available with a standard manual control or an optional electronic control. Go to Alto-Shaam for more information.

MENOMONEE FALLS, WI—Alto-Shaam announces the introduction of a new gas fryer featuring a heat exchanger system that provides a maximum 94 percent level of efficiency to reduce connected gas demand. The heat exchanger design delivers a more rapid recovery of oil temperatures for the shortest possible cooking times even when frying the heaviest loads. The fryer includes a programmable, solid state control, a built-in oil filtration system with a reusable filter, and a heavy-duty 1/2 hp pump with front access reset. The high volume gas fryer has a 75-pound oil capacity and dual basket auto-lift system. Go to...

MIRANDA, NSW, AUSTRALIA—03 Wash Pty Limited has partnered with WET-Tech USA to bring the EnviroSaver II ozone laundry system to the Australasian and Asia Pacific region. The 03 Wash/Wet-Tech ozone systems provide the opportunity to conserve natural resources while providing production savings in the laundry process. The 03 Wash/Wet-Tech laundry systems (including Tunnel and Batch washers) are sized for the small and large laundry with machine capacity in the range of 25 through 455 kilograms as well as complete system design for larger laundry facilities with multi-sized washers producing high volumes of laundry. Ozone delivery is through...

CHICAGO—Among the more than 2,000 exhibitors at the 88th Annual National Restaurant Assn. Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show here in late May were many selling highly innovative “green” products. These products ranged from energy-efficient ovens to furniture made from recycled plastic. Many of the products were featured in a special Green Restaurant Products Pavilion along with the Green Restaurant Assn. Below are descriptions of just some of the many environment-oriented products featured at the show: • Sloan Valve Co., Franklin Park, Ill., featured its new Dual-Flush Flushometer for commercial flush valve style bowls. Lifting the handle up initiates reduced flush (1.1 gpf), eliminating...