Ice cube factory opens in Bekaa

Innovation Food Industries was established this month to produce packed ice cubes in Bekaa, under the brand name ‘Sloe’.

Charbel Ashkar, major shareholder said that the company received an international patent for the factory because it is a new concept for producing ice cubes. The production machines of the factory were designed specifically for the company in Italian and Turkish factories.

The product will be distributed in preform plastic packs filled with purified liquid water. The pack will include a tray and a dispenser to retain the temperature after putting the pack in the freezer. Ashkar said that the regular ice cubes in nylon bags that are sold to restaurants and supermarkets do not comply with hygiene standards.

The total built-up area of the factory is 1,000 square meters. Investments in the project reached $1 million. Ashkar said that the company has plans to increase production in the coming three years and this will require a minimum of $10 million in investments.

The factory’s production capacity is between 15,000 and 20,000 packs per day (each pack contains 0.5 liters). Ashkar said they will produce different flavored packs of ice cubes such as, lemon, cranberry, orange, and cola. These ice cubes may be added to vodka and other drinks.

The production will be distributed to all supermarkets and restaurants. Ashkar said that they aim to export part of the production to the MENA region.