From Europe to Australia
When Besenthal Rollrasen, one of Germany’s leading turf growers, set out to solve the challenge of post-harvest turf deterioration, they turned to a technology that was about to transform their operations: vacuum cooling.
Their goal was simple yet ambitious, to deliver turf that stayed fresher for longer, travelled better, and delighted customers days after harvest. The results were immediate.
By adopting vacuum cooling technology, Besenthal was able to dramatically extend the shelf life of their turf, reduce waste, and offer greater flexibility to their customers. Now, this same innovation brought to you by Heuch Cooling Solutions is reshaping the future for Australian turf growers.
The Turf Grower’s Challenge
Across the world, turf growers face a shared challenge: preserving quality between harvest and installation. Turf remains biologically active after cutting, trapping heat and moisture within densely packed pallets. The soil backing each roll acts like an insulator, allowing internal temperatures to soar, sometimes climbing past 60°C in just a few hours, triggering a process known as turf/sod heating. The consequences are immediate: yellowing, spoilage, wasted product, missed deliveries, and lost revenue. Growers are locked into a race against time — a race that until now, has been difficult to win.
Vacuum Cooling
Recognising the need for a smarter solution, Heuch Cooling Solutions introduced vacuum cooling technology to the Australian turf market. Vacuum cooling works by lowering atmospheric pressure around the harvested turf, causing moisture to evaporate and rapidly cool the product. Within minutes, turf temperatures can drop from around 30°C to just 1°C. By halting turf heating before it begins, vacuum cooling doesn’t just preserve freshness, it rewrites what’s possible for turf supply chains.
Besenthal’s experience speaks volumes. Using vacuum cooling, they were able to keep turf fresh, vibrant, and installation- ready for far longer periods, even across longer, more complex distribution networks. The result? Less waste, fewer lost sales, and a stronger reputation for delivering premium-quality turf, even under tough conditions. Their success proved that with the right technology, freshness could be extended, logistics could be simplified, and turf operations could be revolutionised.
The Australian Breakthrough
In March 2025, Heuch Cooling Solutions completed a landmark trial with a major turf grower here in Australia. Freshly harvested pallets of Sir Walter DNA Certified and Eureka Kikuyu turf was cooled using vacuum technology. Initial turf temperatures ranging between 26°C and 28°C were reduced to a crisp 2°C in less than 35 minutes.
Data monitoring revealed:
- Turf maintained optimal low temperatures for over 40 hours, without the need for re-cooling.
- Humidity stayed consistently high, preserving turf vitality while preventing dehydration.
- Dew point and temperature tracking confirmed moisture was managed effectively, protecting against microbial risks.
Practical benefits:
- Resilient Deliveries: Turf could enter the logistics chain already stabilised, reducing risks during transit.
- Higher Quality: Visual appeal, root health, and moisture levels are preserved far longer.
- Operational Flexibility: Growers could harvest and cool in advance, reducing reliance on perfect delivery timing.
Australian growers now have local proof that vacuum cooling is not just a theory, it’s a proven tool for protecting quality, profitability, and reputation.
Competitive Advantages
For turf growers, the implications of this technology extend far beyond freshness.
Vacuum cooling unlocks a series of competitive advantages:
- Wastage Reduction: Modern turf varieties are especially vulnerable post-harvest, with up to 20% loss common under traditional methods. Vacuum cooling stops this loss in its tracks.
- Better Labour Management: Harvesting can now happen during daylight
- hours, making roles more attractive and improving staff retention.
- Weather Resilience: Rain forecasts no longer derail operations. Turf can be harvested early, cooled, and stored until needed.
- Next-Day Delivery Capability: Having cooled turf in storage opens opportunities to fulfill urgent orders at premium prices.
- Moisture Control: Vacuum cooling minimises surface moisture loss (just 1–3%), making pallets lighter, easier to handle, and less prone to spoilage.
In an increasingly competitive market, these advantages don’t just add value, they can define success.
More Than Just Cooling
Heuch Cooling Solutions doesn’t stop at vacuum cooling. Their comprehensive approach to cold chain solutions includes:
- Mobile and fixed cool rooms designed specifically for turf storage.
- Solar-powered refrigerated transport kits for your delivery trucks.
- Industrial ice makers and environmental chambers to protect turf at every stage of the supply chain.
As turf operations across Australia grow larger, faster, and more demanding, the need for smarter cooling solutions is only increasing.
Vacuum cooling doesn’t just help turf survive the journey; it helps growers thrive. It transforms what was once a race against time into a predictable, manageable process.
With decades of engineering expertise and partnerships with leading technology innovators like Weber Group, Heuch Cooling Solutions ensures that Australian turf growers have access to world-class solutions — right here, right now.
