For many companies, creating water savings and implementing water conservation measures is not only environmentally beneficial, but also makes sound financial sense. JBT has a range of innovative solutions that enable customers to make the most of their water resources through recycling and optimization of water supplies.
According to the International Center for Industrial Transformation, the manufacturing industry (in the US alone) uses more than 18.2 billion gallons – or 68 billion liters – of water every day at a time when access to the resource is becoming more sensitive worldwide.
But it’s not just a US problem. Australia’s food processing accounts for 28% of all water used in the country’s manufacturing industry, making the largest-single user of water, according to the Government of New South Wales.
At a time when processors are looking to make savings, cutting back on the significant spend on water can only be beneficial, and here JBT brings real expertise.
Practical water-saving solutions
One example of how JBT can help customers make water savings is the JBT Bin Scrubber System (pictured above). Commonly used by produce customers, the bins used in the transport of unprocessed fruits and vegetables, and nuts need to be regularly cleaned to clear out dirt and detritus, and ensure food safety.
Capable of cleaning a bin every 20 seconds, the fully-automated Bin Scrubber not only saves on labor, but also allows customers to achieve substantial water savings. Rather than wasting gallons of water, the system includes a 2,000 liter recirculation tank to minimize water consumption. The system re-uses water that is filtered and treated, so daily fresh water usage is minimized.
Water also represents a key component of High Pressure Processing (HPP) systems offered by JBT Avure. A non-additive process which subjects packaged products to water at incredibly high pressures of up to 6,000 bar or 87,000 psi – HPP can be used to deactivate dangerous food-borne pathogens and extend product shelf-life by as much as 180 days.
JBT Avure’s HPP Water Filtration Module is ideal for water treatment post-cycle and saves time, money and water. Providing a sustainable solution for recycling water used in the HPP process, the Water Filtration Module removes unwanted debris from water after each HPP cycle, enabling it be efficiently reused.
Supporting fresh-cut processors
Other examples are the solutions offered by JBT FTNON. According to Joost Lotgerink Bruinenberg, Global Sales Manager at FTNON, the aim of FTNON fresh-cut systems is to ensure that water consumption in their fruit and vegetable washing systems is as efficient and as minimal as possible.
At the same time, FTNON equipment filters and recycles water used for washing so it is suitable for use in subsequent cycles. “We can typically help customers save between 15-20% of the water” they might normally use, says Lotgerink Bruinenberg.
Labor-conservation and maximizing throughput are also major objectives for FTNON. “We try to make sure we keep changeover times to a minimum because we see that customers are doing multiple products on one production line,” continues Lotgerink Bruinenberg. “By reducing the changeover time, customers can get up-to-speed as soon as possible.”
With demand for fresh-cut fruits and vegetables increasing, Lotgerink Bruinenberg says FTNON is receiving a greater number of requests for both complete new lines and upgrades to existing lines. “We’ve seen the enquiries increasing for fresh-cut solutions,” he says. “Before and just after the pandemic, companies didn’t invest too much, but now we are seeing customers looking to make investments.”