Nitrogen can function as a substitute for carbon dioxide (CO2) in a broad variety of applications. With today’s industry wide reduced CO2 availability due to curtailment of available supply and rising CO2 prices due to increased demand and higher transportation costs, processors are looking for alternative solutions. For example, in food processing many chilling applications traditionally accomplished with CO2 can be achieved with nitrogen. For beverages, some bottlers use nitrogen instead of CO2 in some applications such as tank blanketing or pressure transfer applications (you can learn mor ..read more

From chicken wings to shrimp, fresh vegetables and pasta, IQF allows processors to preserve food as individual pieces while protecting quality. In this blog, we provide a concise overview of how IQF freezing works, and why it matters for food processing businesses, concluding with a look at some of the most common types of IQF freezing equipment. IQF Meaning | What Does IQF Stand For? IQF stands for “Individual Quick Freezing.” IQF is a common food processing technique that allows separate pieces of food to be frozen individually. These products can be found in retailers’ frozen food section ..read more

Protein processors deal with a number of issues that risk dragging down yield. Valuable product weight can drip to the factory floor, evaporate to the ceiling, or stick to a conveyor belt ..read more

Protein processors face a tough marketplace where the competition leaves no stone unturned in the search for an edge. Improvements in the production line can make a measurable difference in production volume, yield, cost, and quality. As the competition heats up, it’s important not to overlook the potential for these process improvements to stay ahead ..read more

“Normal” may never be the same for food processors. The health of employees, how to engage them in this new normal, and their general welfare – on top of food safety, sanitation and hygiene practices – have been brought to the forefront because of COVID-19. Causes for concern around food safety and quality were already present during normal times for food processing plants ..read more

The signs of a food processing yield problem are as variable as food processing itself. Wasted product falling on the factory floor, steam dripping from the ceiling, and raw ingredients being oversized to compensate for moisture loss are just a few examples that could indicate chronic yield issues. Any of these issues can result in lost output, less consistent quality, and ultimately reduced revenue and profit ..read more

Frontline healthcare workers administer critical medical oxygen to their patients every day. But where does the oxygen come from? This question is more pertinent than ever with recent challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters affecting oxygen supply networks. Understanding the basics of the medical oxygen supply chain equips facility managers, respiratory therapists and other healthcare personnel with the knowledge they need to mitigate the risk of a future supply disruption. In this three-part series, we will follow bulk medical oxygen from the plant to the patient. Click b ..read more

  Food waste is a significant concern on many food production lines, and it makes sense. Food waste is a direct hit on your bottom-line profitability. It’s raw material you paid for but didn’t get to use—and that may now cost you even more in added waste disposal fees ..read more

In the thermal spray coating process, materials are deposited onto a surface at high velocity. Sporting goods, medical devices, aerospace components – all may have thermal spray-applied coatings ..read more