Gummies harden when too dry and stick when too wet. A nutraceutical manufacturer now controls both, in two rented 40' reefers fitted with a humidifier.
In This Article
A nutraceutical manufacturer in La Mirada, CA needed humidity controlled storage for its gummies. Standard reefers could not do it, so ZGROUP fitted two 40' rental units with its in-house humidifier system. The manufacturer now controls both temperature and humidity, batch after batch, without building a single room.
The challenge
Gummies live or die by temperature and humidity. Too dry and they harden. Too wet and they stick. Either way, the batch suffers.
Temperature alone was not the problem. Standard refrigerated containers can only remove moisture from the air, not add it. For a product that needs humidity held in a narrow window, a regular reefer only solves half of the problem.
The other route, a purpose-built conditioned room, meant construction, time and a permanent commitment. The manufacturer wanted control without a building project.
Production also needed room to breathe. Gummies are made in batches, and each batch has to wait in the right conditions before it moves on. Storage had to match that rhythm, batch after batch, without adding another variable to the process.
The solution
ZGROUP supplied two 40' Refrigerated containers on rental and fitted each one with its in-house humidifier system. The reefer handles temperature. The humidifier adds moisture when the air gets too dry. Together they hold both conditions the gummies need.
Because the units are modular, there were no civil works and no permanent construction. And because they are rented, the manufacturer keeps its options open as production changes.
Using two separate units also adds flexibility in general: each reefer runs its own conditions, and rented capacity can be adjusted as volume changes.
The results
- 95% RH humidity control
- 2 × 40' reefers in operation
- Rental terms for flexibility
The manufacturer controls temperature and humidity batch after batch, in storage that did not require building a room.
Humidity controlled storage: what a standard reefer cannot do
Many operations assume that any cold room controls humidity. In practice, cooling dries the air, and a standard refrigerated container can only take moisture out. For products that are sensitive to drying out, that is a real risk.
Humidity controlled storage adds the missing half. ZGROUP's humidifier system, derived from its ripening rooms, controls humidity from 50% to 95% RH. Combined with a temperature range of -40°F to +104°F (-40°C to +40°C), it covers a wide range of products and processes.
- Confectionery and nutraceuticals that change texture when conditions drift.
- Fresh produce that loses moisture and weight in dry air.
- Materials and test samples that must cure or condition at a set humidity.
A container-based setup delivers in under 60 days and installs in 2 to 5 days, with minimal site prep. It is available to rent or to buy, can be moved and reinstalled at another site, and ZTRACK adds remote monitoring of temperature and alarms.
A final point on flexibility: rental suits products and processes that are still evolving. If a formula changes, a line moves or volume doubles, rented units can be added, adjusted or returned. When the need is stable, the same equipment can be purchased, and it comes with a 5-year warranty.
What is a reefer container?
A reefer container is a refrigerated container with a built-in refrigeration system that holds anywhere from -40°F to +104°F. Used on site, it works as a standalone cold room: plug it in and it runs, with no construction. Sizes go from 10' to 53'; the 40' is the most popular, with room for 20 pallets versus 9 in a 20'. Rentals start at 30 days.
A standard reefer controls temperature and can only remove moisture; ZGROUP adds humidity with its in-house humidifier when the product needs it. See our refrigerated containers and more projects in California.
Is it right for your operation?
If your product is sensitive to humidity as much as to temperature, a reefer with a humidifier can give you both without a construction project. Explore our Refrigerated containers or talk to our team about the conditions your product needs.
Frequently asked questions
Do refrigerated containers control humidity?
A standard reefer can only remove moisture from the air. To add humidity, ZGROUP fits its in-house humidifier system, which controls humidity from 50% to 95% RH.
What products need humidity controlled storage?
Any product that hardens, sticks, dries out or loses quality when humidity drifts, such as gummies and confectionery, fresh produce, or materials that must cure at a set humidity.
Can I rent humidity controlled storage?
Yes. ZGROUP units are available to rent or to buy, delivered in under 60 days and installed in 2 to 5 days without civil works.
Is a reefer container the same as a refrigerated container?
Yes. Reefer is the industry name for a refrigerated container. ZGROUP rents and sells them from 10' to 53', holding -40°F to +104°F.
