Schneider Electric has entered into an agreement with Process Partners to offer Clean-In-Place (CIP) optimisation solutions to the food and beverage sector.
The partnership leverages Schneider Electric’s automation and energy management expertise along with Process Partners’ proven industry experience in designing, integrating and optimising new and existing CIP systems and food processing equipment.
“Discussions with many Food & Beverage manufacturers have helped us to identify CIP system performance as a major challenge within the industry," said Craig Roseman, Food & Beverage Segment Manager, Schneider Electric Australia.
"Left unresolved, these CIP system issues have the ability to adversely impact food safety as well as quality, manufacturing cost and plant capacity.
"Addressing clean-in-place solutions will help optimise the performance of industrial plants and alleviate pressure on a highly competitive industry. This presents an opportunity for our clients to convert a constraint into an area of growth for their business,”
The Schneider Electric CIP Optimisation solution encompasses a holistic review of the CIP system to identify opportunities where areas for improvement exist, which are then captured and highlighted in a comprehensive report with detailed recommendations.
An assessment on the CIP’s energy usage, process automation and the CIP equipment is undertaken to guarantee cleaning performance, ensure key parameters are managed and satisfy food safety requirements.
Schneider Electric’s CIP activities can assist our clients to achieve three key outcomes for their business:
1. Reduce their energy consumption (Electricity, Steam etc.)
2. Reduce their environmental impact (CO2, chemical & water consumption etc.)
3. Improve their productivity (OEE – Overall Equipment Effectiveness).
Peter Rykenberg, Director of Process Partners, said; “By integrating Schneider Electric's products and professional services with the core process expertise from Process Partners, we can effectively diagnose and remedy our client’s clean-in-place problems. This solution is unique in the market place as alternative approaches are neither holistic nor independent.”
In 2011, Schneider Electric and Process Partners engaged in a successful project for the organic yoghurt manufacturer, five:am, which subsequently won the PACE Zenith national award for best Food & Beverage project in 2012.
Process Partners built the plant from the ground up from initial concept through to design, installation, commissioning and complete project management, whilst Schneider Electric provided automation and control technologies to help fully automate the production process.