Understanding New Food Grade Regulations

08 Jul 2008

A detailed knowledge of the new Food Grade Compressed Air Code of Practice was a decisive factor in Airchannel being awarded the contract to supply equipment and expertise to Lees of Scotland for their modern confectionary factory in Coatbridge, Lanarkshire.

While some compressed air suppliers have been confused by the introduction of the British Compressed Air Society (BCAS) Food Grade Compressed Air Code of Practice, Airchannel’s comprehensive understanding of it has been essential to it winning new work.

The code highlighted water as being the major and most problematic contaminant found in compressed air. Airchannel advised that water not only leads to corrosion and damage to the compressed air system and finished product, and more importantly it provides the ideal environment for the growth of micro-organisms.

As a result, the Airchannel was able to advise Lees that the installation of new desiccant dryers and filter was essential. The dryer’s efficiency easily achieves the -40 dewpoint that is required under the new guidelines. They do this by passing air over a regenerative adsorbent material which strips the moisture from the air. It is extremely efficient and beneficially, a pressure dewpoint of less than -22°C will not only prevent corrosion, it will also inhibit the growth of micro-organisms within the compressed air system.

Lees are famed for their confectionary, which includes coconut snowballs, jam teacakes, and Jaffa delights, and the famous Lees macaroon bar. As well as the new equipment, which has also included the equipping of a 4kw Hydrovane compressor for high pressure continuous mixers, Airchannel has also been awarded the service contract for the factory.

Commenting on the award of the contract, David Simpson, Production Director of Lees said “When it came to choosing our new compressed air partner, what we looked for was a company with a thorough understanding of all the new BCAS compressed air code of practice,  someone who understood compressed air efficiency and reliability, had industry experience, competence and know-how, local support and back-up, as well as energy saving solutions, Airchannel ticked all these boxes and more, and we are pleased with the relationship we have”.