Food packaging, bottling and industrial compressed air: BOGE solutions

Compressed air has different applications in the packaging sector, particularly in bottling plants, where it is used both for blowing PET bottles and as a driving force. Other important applications concern the automation of industrial processes and the creation of vacuum for vacuum packaging of food.

However, managing compressed air for food packaging is not easy. The presence of minimal impurities can irreparably damage blow molding machines, vacuum pump nozzles, or seriously contaminate food and beverages.

The consequences are very serious and can result in a loss of image, with high costs and often not immediately calculable.

The safety and continuity of supply, in addition to quality, is the second aspect to consider in this type of plant. Since these are continuous cycle processes, they must be able to take place without technical stops or faults that slow down or stop production.

In short, the ideal compression system must supply perfectly dry, clean air without oil traces and at a controlled temperature, both in the case of use process processing and in the forming of containers.

In terms of quality legislation, the reference is to the ISO 8573-1 class 1 standard (particle size smaller than 0.1 µm and maximum concentration mg / m3, maximum dew point - 70 ° C, maximum oil concentration 0, 01 mg / m3), recently made even more stringent by the introduction of a new class 0.

To these references must considered necessary measures and precautions to avoid bacterial contamination.

Compressed air and public hygiene

In the food sector, which subjected to strict sanitary controls, the fight against microbiological contamination can only be the number one priority. Among other things, the regulatory framework has become increasingly severe over the years, creating the adoption of food safety management systems based on the HACCP system (Analysis of critical points and control risks).

Several companies have recently turned to international quality standards such as ISO 22000, which requires detection of potential risks at all levels of the process cycle, including the resources used.

In this context it becomes inevitable to consider the risks connected to the possible bacterial contamination of the compressed air in the company HACCP system. In addition to equipping the plants with adequate filtering and monitoring systems, written protocols must be prepared for the actions that the personnel must undertake in the event that contamination actually occurs.

Ideally, according to the quality codes developed in the United Kingdom, the air purity should be such that it does not detect contamination according to ISO 8573-7.

The characteristics of a good compressed air generation system for food packaging

At this point, what are the reference standards that must guarantee an industrial compressed air production system for food packaging? Summarizing the considerations, we have stated above, it is not difficult to establish a precise order of priorities:

• Absence of microbiological contamination
• Absence of humidity, oil, particulates
• Integration of the compressed air resource in the company HACCP  system
• Compatibility with certification systems and with the relevant legislation
• Reliability, resistance in the event of accidents, low energy consumption
• Scalability and integration with the company's digital and automation  systems

These results are obtained by creating constantly controlled and digitally monitored systems structured on at least two so-called oil-free compressors (in order to guarantee continuity in the event of a fault), the use of inverters (devices that allow the quantity produced to be calibrated on the real needs), adequate air filtration, dryer, possible booster-type "overpressors" to compensate for the demands of high pressure air volumes.

BOGE solutions for the food industry: for an ISO class 0 quality

BOGE has a long tradition of oil-free compressors with a rich, safe and proven range of products. We are one of the few companies to distinguish between the ISO 8573-1 class and the 0 class, the new reference standard in the sector.

Our approach was to completely disengage ourselves from the quality of the incoming air, introducing a completely new criterion with the BOGE Bluekat models, screw compressors able to completely eliminate all oil residues and produce class 0 compressed air in an absolutely reliable.

This at the same time guaranteeing important functions such as the customization of the range and the integrability with digital control devices such as Airstatus and Airintelligence Provis 2.0, which take care of every system need automatically, from the distribution of the loads to optimize the wear of the machinery up to the optimization of energy consumption.

ST BOGE sterile filters are specially designed to ensure a germ-free compressed air. For those who want safety first of all, it is possible to obtain the same hygienic quality required by hospital standards with this product.

Finally, the BOGE dryer lines allow you to face any need. Adsorption models with vacuum cooling, particularly recommended for the food and pharmaceutical industries, allow the air to dry up to a dew point of - 70 ° C.

A service that can help the customer create the ideal compressed air production system for the company

The real strength of BOGE is the service; it is not so simple, for those who are not in the sector, to develop an integrated solution between all the machines and components necessary to create a truly efficient compressed air production and management system.

The advantage of the BOGE accredited distributor network is to be able to rely on professionals able to assess the real needs of the customer and to provide the most suitable tailor-made solution, both in terms of energy consumption and management, purity, quality and quantity of production.

In conclusion, choosing BOGE means becoming part of a family of technicians, where you are not left alone, but constantly followed in the effort to reach those levels of quality and excellence that are the challenges facing today's Australian Market.