Realcold, based in New Zealand and Australia, had previously manufactured its own IQF freezers or worked with partner suppliers.

"We found that we were 10-20 per cent above the market price," said Tony Johnson, general manager of the group in Australia. "Now we're very competitive on the marketplace.

IQF (individually quick frozen) technology allows food processors to freeze small, typically difficult foods like berries or prawns, in single pieces, keeping their individual form, texture and taste.

The process either uses liquid nitrogen or equipment such as spiral tunnels that keeps small food pieces in constant motion during the freezing process. Both technologies prevent products from sticking together.

Realcold is looking to take at least 5 per cent of the Australian IQF market with the new deal. Johnson estimates that the market is worth about 20 units per year.

"We already have a good market in New Zealand but we see some potential in Australia," he told AP-Foodtechnology.com.

The agreement also boosts Starfrost's market position, giving it access to the southern hemisphere.

The company has made technical advances to boost manufacturing efficiency and reduce escalating nitrogen freezing costs.

Its Three Zone Spiral system recently won a Technological Development award in the UK. The frost tolerant system can operate for extended running times - up to seven days between defrosts - resulting in less downtime and reduced operating costs compared to other freezing systems.

Starfrost parent company Star Refrigeration is a pioneer in CO2 refrigerationtechnology, ensuring that Starfrost's freezers are specified with optimized refrigeration systems.