Egypt’s construction sector is growing rapidly. With the rise of New Cairo and the New Administrative Capital east of Cairo, the country faces an unprecedented demand for high-quality concrete. These mega projects - designed to host ministries, residential areas, and modern infrastructure - are among North Africa’s largest urban developments.

However, Egypt’s intense heat poses a major challenge for concrete producers. Temperature control during mixing is crucial to prevent cracks and ensure durability. Reliable cooling solutions are therefore essential to maintain quality standards.

German technology for local challenges

To address these conditions, KTI-Plersch Kältetechnik GmbH, a German refrigeration specialist, supplied an energy-efficient plate ice plant to New Cairo. The PLIP 120 unit, housed in a 40-foot container, produces up to 120 tons of ice per day - used to cool concrete mixtures on-site.

Designed, tested, and pre-assembled in Germany, the compact, modular system was delivered to Egypt as a turnkey solution. Its robust design makes it ideally suited for demanding construction environments with limited infrastructure and high cooling requirements. The system is operated by KTI’s Egyptian subsidiary ICE HUB, which manages operation, maintenance, and ice sales across the region. ICE HUB praised KTI’s solution-oriented approach, fast technical support, and reliable system performance, emphasizing the value of on-site training and knowledge transfer.

Solving a critical supply gap

Before the project, concrete producers struggled with a shortage of high-quality crushed ice. Transporting ice from distant city centers caused high losses due to melting, while manual ice crushing was unsafe and inefficient.

KTI’s plate ice technology enables on-site production of clean, uniform ice, ensuring a consistent cooling supply, reducing waste, and improving worker safety. Using the natural refrigerant ammonia (NH₃) makes the system especially energy-efficient and climate-friendly, cutting power consumption by up to 45% compared to conventional systems.

Supporting Egypt’s infrastructure growth

Local cement producers expect rising demand through 2026, driven by ongoing infrastructure expansion and new resort developments along the Red Sea. KTI’s technology helps maintain productivity and concrete quality even during extreme heat, which is a key factor for meeting Egypt’s construction targets.

Several local companies have already expressed interest in additional ice plants, recognizing the scalability and reliability of the system. Nearby industrial users also praised the high ice quality and favorable cost-performance ratio, reinforcing KTI’s reputation as a trusted technology partner.

A model of sustainable collaboration

The first energy-efficient plate ice plant was inaugurated in October 2025 in New Cairo, attended by representatives of the German Embassy, dena (German Energy Agency), AHK Egypt, GIZ, UNIDO, and Egypt’s Ministry of Environment.

Dr. Miguel Haubrich Seco, Head of Economic Affairs at the German Embassy in Cairo, highlighted the project’s significance:

"This ice plant from KTI-Plersch sets new benchmarks for energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. It demonstrates how German technology can support Egypt’s ambitious development goals while minimizing environmental impact."

With the RES programme, the German Energy Solutions Initiative of the Federal Ministry of Economical Affairs and Energy supports German companies in the renewable energy and energy efficiency sectors enter new markets. Within the framework of the programme, reference plants are installed and marketed with the support of the German Energy Agency (dena). Information and training activities help ensure a sustainable market entry and demonstrate the quality of climate-friendly technologies made in Germany.