STAR Refrigeration, the Glasgow-based industrial cooling company, has

completed two data centre contracts in England for a total of #1.75m and

secured a #2m order from a leading frozen food retailer.

Its patented thermosyphon system, designed to pump cooling water

through pipes built into mainframe computers, was installed in the

Department of Social Security in Swindon and at the nearby offices of a

building society.

''These latest installations are typical of the kind of work we have

been winning, though a thermosyphon unit was used for the first time for

paint cooling at Ford's Dagenham plant this year,'' technical sales

manager Douglas Scott said yesterday.

The system, which is self-contained, uses a special mix of water and

non-toxic refrigerants and is ideal in environments where only a slight

degree of cooling is needed.

''Cost savings of up to 70% for a typical plant can be made compared

with standard water chillers,'' said Mr Scott.

Star, which makes a range of industrial cooling equipment, expects to

increase its turnover by around #1m this year to #15m. Mr Scott

confirmed the new #2m order but could give no other details.

Formed in a management buy-out 20 years ago, Star is now the biggest

independent firm of its kind in the UK. It employs around 100 people.