In the heart of Mexico’s central region, the city of Aguascalientes is witnessing a new era in reliable, high-capacity edible ice production. CBFI, a global leader in industrial ice-making solutions, has recently completed and commissioned a state-of-the-art 30-ton-per-day edible ice plant for a leading local client. This project showcases CBFI’s advanced tube ice technology, robust engineering, and commitment to delivering turnkey solutions that meet the stringent demands of food-grade ice production.

Why Aguascalientes Needed a High-Capacity Edible Ice Plant

Aguascalientes is a rapidly growing industrial and agricultural hub in Mexico, with increasing demand for clean, food-safe ice across sectors such as food processing, seafood preservation, supermarkets, restaurants, beverage distribution, and event catering. Traditional ice supply chains often struggle with inconsistent quality, limited capacity, and high transportation costs. By investing in an on-site 30-ton edible ice plant, the client can now produce fresh, crystal-clear tube ice directly at their facility, ensuring maximum freshness, hygiene, and cost efficiency.

CBFI was chosen as the partner due to our proven track record in Latin America, fast installation timeline, and equipment designed specifically for tropical and semi-arid climates like that of central Mexico.

Advanced Tube Ice Technology at the Core

The heart of this 30-ton edible ice plant is CBFI’s high-efficiency tube ice machine. Key features include:

• Food-grade stainless steel construction throughout the evaporator, water tank, and all ice-contact surfaces, complying with international hygiene standards.
• Automated PLC control system with user-friendly touchscreen interface for precise monitoring of ice production, water quality, and system performance.
• Energy-efficient design with low refrigerant charge and optimized compressor selection, reducing electricity consumption while maintaining 30 tons of daily output.
• Automatic ice harvesting and falling system, ensuring gentle handling of delicate tube ice to prevent breakage and maintain uniform shape and clarity.
• Integrated ice crusher and conveying system (optional upgrade) for seamless transfer to weighing and bagging stations.

The plant produces crystal-clear, cylindrical tube ice (typically 22–35 mm diameter), ideal for direct consumption, beverage cooling, food display, and preservation applications.

Efficient Packaging and Storage Workflow

One of the most impressive aspects of this installation is the smooth integration of production, weighing, bagging, and cold storage.

Workers efficiently feed 5 kg and 10 kg food-grade plastic bags onto the weighing platform connected to the ice discharge point. The semi-automatic bagging line ensures accurate portioning and quick sealing, while the adjacent cold room maintains -5°C to -10°C to preserve ice quality during storage and distribution.

The cold storage room is equipped with high-efficiency air coolers mounted on the ceiling, ensuring uniform temperature distribution and preventing ice from melting or clumping.

Turnkey Project Execution by CBFI

CBFI provided a complete turnkey solution, including:

• Design and engineering of the entire ice production line
• Manufacturing and delivery of the 30-ton tube ice machine
• Installation of refrigeration system, water treatment, and electrical controls
• Commissioning, operator training, and after-sales support

The project was completed on schedule, with the plant reaching full 30-ton daily capacity shortly after startup. Local technicians were trained to handle routine maintenance, ensuring long-term reliability.

Benefits for the Client and the Local Market

With this new facility, the client now enjoys:

• Reduced dependency on external ice suppliers
• Consistent food-grade quality that meets supermarket and restaurant requirements
• Lower overall operating costs through on-site production and minimized transport
• Increased competitiveness in the growing Mexican ice market
• Scalability — the system is designed for future expansion to higher capacities if demand continues to rise

CBFI’s equipment has already proven its durability in challenging environments across Mexico, Central America, and South America, and this Aguascalientes project further strengthens our reputation as the preferred choice for edible ice plants in the region.

FAQ

Q1: How does the ice machine ensure smooth operation in Mexico’s high-temperature environments (up to 50°C)?

A: CBFI tube ice machines utilize heavy-duty industrial compressors and high-efficiency evaporative cooling systems. Specifically for high-temperature regions, we optimize the heat exchange area and use high-ambient-resistant components to ensure the refrigeration cycle remains stable even when outdoor temperatures soar, preventing system shutdowns or capacity drops.

Q2: How does the 30-ton edible ice plant achieve fully automated production?

A: The plant integrates a centralized PLC control system that manages everything from water purification and ice making to ice storage and packaging. By using a standardized conveyor system and an automatic packing machine, the entire process requires minimal manual intervention, ensuring high hygiene standards and labor efficiency.

Q3: Can the system be expanded if the demand for ice increases in the future?

A: Yes. Our 30-ton tube ice plant design is modular. The Aguascalientes project currently uses two 15-ton units working in parallel. This configuration allows the client to add more units easily or adjust production schedules based on seasonal demand without redesigning the entire infrastructure.