24 Hours of an Ice Factory Amidst the Heatwave
As the midday temperature rises to around 35 degrees Celsius, the ice factory, filled with the coolness of minus temperatures, is experiencing busier days than ever.
On the 2nd of the month, JTBC reported on the daily life of an ice factory at a chilly minus 12 degrees Celsius.
A large ice block weighing 140 kg emerges after a long journey of 48 hours. This is the Daewon Frozen Industry ice factory located in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province.
The massive ice block, used for fishing, quickly moves to the cold storage as soon as it is completed. To prevent even a slight melt, employees work swiftly to stack the ice in the storage.
The production line for edible ice used in cafes and restaurants continuously pours out ice, with packaging operations also ongoing.
Food-grade ice is born only after undergoing several purification and sterilization processes, as hygiene is of utmost importance.
The transparent ice cubes are packaged and move along the conveyor belt.
Ice Demand in Proportion to the Heatwave
During this heatwave, the ice factory operates 24 hours a day, with a daily production volume reaching a staggering 200 tons.
While the cold storage is stacked high with ice, the soaring demand due to the hot weather means that ice is sold out almost immediately.
Outdoors, the temperature exceeds 35 degrees Celsius, but inside the factory, it is a chilling minus 12 degrees, causing shivers even after a short stay.
Employees here are working continuously, often putting in overtime.
One employee shared with JTBC, "I usually work 10 to 11 hours a day at most. When I look at the warehouse, we have made and stored ice, but by the time I come in the morning, there's none left."
The ice produced here is sold to markets and restaurants across the nation.
The demand for ice has significantly increased compared to last year, with recent orders far exceeding the daily production volume.
Daewon Frozen Industry's CEO, Yoon Jun-il, stated, "Production has increased by over 10-15% compared to previous years," adding that they are producing an additional 5 tons to meet the order volume.
According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, August is expected to be the peak of the heat, suggesting that the busy days for the ice factory will continue for the time being.
In this unusually hot summer, the ice factory is bustling as a hidden hero delivering coolness.
Next time you enjoy a refreshing drink with ice, consider the sweat and effort that went into that single piece of ice.
Naver TV 'JTBC News'
Image source: On June 18, as the temperature exceeded 30 degrees amid a heatwave, an employee at an ice factory in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, moves ice to the cold storage. / News1, JTBC. On the 12th, during a sweltering heatwave with a felt temperature of over 31 degrees, an employee at an ice factory in Bucheon moves ice bags to a refrigerated truck. June 12, 2024 / News1. Reference photo for reader's understanding / gettyimagesbank
