For Christophe Riedel, CEO of Claranor and a pioneer in pulsed light, the motivations of manufacturers are threefold: “Choosing a chemical-free technology is most often a matter of safety and working conditions. Then come the economic and environmental motivations. Light decontamination processes are less energy-intensive. Moreover, they do not generate effluents, which are starting to be taxed in some countries.”
The various technologies available on the market allow for all levels of decontamination, from the most basic to aseptic. Pulsed light is particularly well-suited to intermediate levels: "We generally respond to requests for ultra-clean packaging, which corresponds to hygiene class IV of the VDMA*. Products requiring this level of hygiene are typically microbiologically unstable products, sold refrigerated, with a pH above 4.6, or for which a long shelf life is desired. Plant-based milks and desserts, and beverages like kombucha are examples. Ultra-clean packaging may also be required in the production of sauces, when the products do not contain preservatives or are pasteurized and then cold-filled," explains Christophe Riedel.
For all these light-based applications, the technical challenge lies in exposing the entire surface of the packaging for a sufficient duration to kill microorganisms. The nature and shape of the packaging, as well as the production rate, are criteria that will guide the choice of one technology over another, as will the required level of decontamination. Overall, decontaminating films before packaging formation is an application that works very well. Light is also used to achieve reductions of up to 3 logs on caps and necks of high-speed preforms, and more recently on preformed jars and metal cans.
One of the driving forces behind the adoption of chemical-free decontamination is the very positive feedback, particularly the disappearance of contamination after the implementation of pulsed light equipment. These are the references most often discussed within companies and attest to the effectiveness of these systems. Next comes industry endorsement, namely the feedback from users who have operated the equipment over long periods. Reliability and quality of customer service are crucial in this area. "We now have 15 years of experience with pulsed light globally, and this technology has been used for 10 years by Danone in the United States. This is reassuring for all stakeholders who wish to adopt it," concludes Christophe Riedel.
* Verband Deutscher Maschinen – und Anlagenbau; association of german machinery and equipment manufacturers
