By Eamonn Ryan
A cutting-edge cooling system has been installed at a 1 376m2 storage facility, providing an energy-efficient solution for the IMCD Group pharmaceutical company.

The facility under construction. All images by Crown Technologies
The system, a Climate Wizard by Seeley International, was part of a larger project worth R7-million for logistics company C. Steinweg Chemical Logistics, tasked with maintaining strict temperature controls for sensitive pharmaceutical products.
The Climate Wizard is an indirect evaporative cooling system that operates with considerable energy efficiency. Unlike traditional air conditioning units, which would use 25 kW of power, the new system requires less than 14 kW – a 44% reduction in energy use. This is a crucial consideration, as the facility must maintain a temperature range of 15-25°C with a range of 40-65% humidity to ensure the integrity of the stored pharmaceutical products.
What sets the Climate Wizard apart is its ability to cool air without adding excess moisture, making it ideal for the pharmaceutical industry. This indirect evaporative cooling process, which uses a heat exchange system, is both more energy-efficient and sustainable than traditional direct evaporative cooling systems, which introduce moisture into the air.
Due to its lower energy consumption Climate Wizard cooling systems are more attractive options where solar systems are in mind. This also aligns with the sustainability goals of both C. Steinweg and IMCD Group. Despite a higher upfront installation cost, the system is expected to recover its investment within five years through reduced energy expenses.

View of ducting from floor level.
“This project is a great example of how energy-efficient technologies can significantly lower operating costs while supporting sustainability goals,” says Neil Britz, CEO of Crown Technologies, the lead contractor involved in the project. “We’re proud to have implemented a solution that meets the demanding requirements of the pharmaceutical industry while also contributing to environmental conservation.”
Crown Technologies took charge of the design, procurement, installation and project management. The team worked closely with structural engineers to ensure the storage area’s complex insulation requirements were met. Challenges included the installation’s height—reaching up to 18 metres in certain areas—and the need for reinforced structures to support the weight of the cooling system.
The project involved installing eight Climate Wizard units and faced challenges that included high installation points and structural constraints, but the project was completed successfully and on time. The temperature within the facility was consistently maintained at 19°C during trials, ensuring that the strict storage conditions for IMCD’s pharmaceutical products were met.
The IMCD Group, which moved into the facility in December 2024, will benefit from both long-term energy savings and a low-maintenance cooling solution. The Climate Wizard is particularly suitable for environments with limited or costly power availability. Given the facility’s energy restrictions, a low-power solution was crucial.
“The design and installation process was carefully planned. The team first calculated the total heat load based on the space’s volume and the amount of pharmaceutical products being moved in and out daily. Since the facility was insulated, the heat losses were easy to calculate, which informed the decision to install eight Climate Wizard units to handle the worst-case cooling scenario. The system is designed to operate efficiently even under the most demanding conditions,” says Britz. The Climate Wizard system was a critical choice due to its ability to function with a minimal energy footprint. The units operate at 14 kW, compared to the 25 kW that would be required by traditional air conditioning systems.
The insulation panels were supplied and installed by Isowall, which constructed the internal structure of the storage facility, providing a key component for the cooling system’s efficiency. The project required precise coordination due to the space’s size, the high-altitude work and the use of heavy machinery such as scissor lifts to install the equipment.
“The biggest challenge was working at such heights, especially when installing the ducting and structural elements. The installation had to be precise, as we were working with a very tall warehouse that required the cooling system to function optimally at every level.”
Despite these obstacles, the installation passed all trials with the system now operational. The facility had already begun the process of moving in products ahead of the official handover at the end of December.
The cooling system has also been designed to maintain consistent air quality and temperature throughout the warehouse, with the inclusion of de-stratification fans ensuring even airflow across the entire facility. These fans ‘stir’ the air, preventing uneven temperature distribution that could affect the stored pharmaceutical products, says Britz.

Installing the Climate Wizards.
Sustainability contributions
The project at IMCD Group’s pharmaceutical storage facility has raised important points regarding the sustainability of cooling systems, feedback from clients and the system’s scalability.
The Climate Wizard indirect evaporative cooling system provides a significant environmental benefit through its use of water and minimal energy consumption. Unlike conventional air conditioners that rely on artificial refrigerants (which often contribute to global warming), the Climate Wizard uses only water, making it a more sustainable option.
One key sustainability feature is that this system uses considerably less water than direct evaporative cooling solutions. While it does consume water, it’s far more efficient, and the water that evaporates into the air doesn’t lead to water wastage like other systems might.
“Feedback from clients, C. Steinweg Chemical Logistics and IMCD, has been overwhelmingly positive. A similar project, one hospital in Johannesburg, provided an insightful benchmark. After installing five Climate Wizard units for improved climate control, the hospital reported saving R1-million in electricity costs in the first year alone. This not only demonstrates the efficiency of the system but also highlights its potential for paying for itself within a relatively short period,” says Britz.
He notes increasing awareness and adoption of the Climate Wizard system. “It is gaining traction in sectors such as agriculture (notably wine farms), where temperature and humidity control are crucial, and in data centres, although the latter is still a developing market. The technology is now specified more frequently by consulting engineers, contributing to its growing popularity.”
- A close up view of a Climate Wizard
- View from the roof.
Maintenance and monitoring
The Climate Wizard system is low-maintenance. The key components include fans, pumps and filters, which require servicing depending on the dust load in the air. The annual maintenance cost is relatively low at around R20 000 to R30 000 ensuring that the system remains cost-effective to run.

Monitoring the temprature.
The system is also equipped with automated controllers for both temperature and humidity, ensuring that operations are closely monitored and adjusted based on real-time data. Each system unit has its own controller, providing flexibility to manage multiple zones. The use of sensors in multiple areas of the storage facility enables the system to monitor conditions over a wider range, improving accuracy and efficiency.
Regarding scalability, the cooling system is designed to accommodate future growth. The facility’s current setup is only using about two-thirds of the available space, leaving room for expansion. The system is expected to handle an increase in the facility’s capacity of up to 25-30% without needing additional equipment. If further expansion is required beyond that, more units can be added, but the core infrastructure is already capable of supporting growth without significant modifications.
The installation of the Climate Wizard system at the IMCD pharmaceutical storage facility points to the benefits of modern, sustainable cooling solutions. With its low environmental impact, cost-efficiency, and scalability, this system is increasingly being recognised as an asset in industries that require precise temperature and humidity control.
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