Humidity is one of the largest hidden costs in supermarket operations. Moisture in the store air places a continuous latent load on refrigeration systems, increases defrost frequency, causes condensation on open refrigeration cases, and creates an uncomfortable shopping environment. DST desiccant dehumidifiers — particularly the FLEXISORB range — remove this latent load at source, delivering measurable energy savings, reduced refrigeration maintenance, and improved comfort for customers and staff.
Up to 80% of open refrigeration case energy consumption is determined by the condition of the surrounding store air — and ambient moisture is the primary variable. Studies referenced in the ASHRAE Handbook (2003) demonstrate that a 10% reduction in store humidity translates directly into significant energy savings across the refrigeration system.
Traditional approaches to humidity management — such as air reheat and oversized air conditioning — are energy-intensive and environmentally inefficient. Dedicated Outdoor Air Systems (DOAS) equipped with desiccant dehumidifiers offer a more effective alternative: outside air is dehumidified before it enters the store, removing the latent load entirely without overcooling the space. The result is a store that is drier, more comfortable, and substantially cheaper to operate year-round.
The DST FLEXISORB range is purpose-designed for commercial and retail environments — offering high-efficiency desiccant dehumidification in a compact, condensation-free unit. With the D-MAX Adsorption Rotor at its core, FLEXISORB systems deliver consistent humidity control across varying outdoor conditions, store layouts, and seasonal demand — without the energy penalty of conventional reheat systems.
DST supplied dry air at -20°C dew point above cold store doors at Tesco’s Livingston distribution centre, eliminating frost at entry points and maintaining controlled humidity in the loading bay.
Multiple DST installations for COOP in Sweden — including airlock and crawl space dehumidification at cold storage in Umeå, and a food distribution centre in Eskilstuna.
DST supplied cold storage dehumidification across multiple Mercadona locations in Spain, reducing frost build-up and defrost frequency at one of Europe’s largest grocery chains.
DST has been supplying moisture control solutions for supermarkets and food retail environments since the early 2000s — across grocery chains in Australia, the UK, Spain, Sweden, and Russia. The FLEXISORB range is specifically designed for commercial retail applications, offering high-efficiency desiccant dehumidification in a unit configured for supermarket HVAC integration.
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