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Stefan Vetriest, general manager, Atlas Copco Crepelle.

Stefan Vertriest of Atlas Copco says oil-free PET blowing compressors will drive quality and efficiency standards to new industry heights.

Oil in the mix

Oil contamination is an invisible enemy in all bottling installations and aseptic environments. Traditionally, bottlers have taken extra steps toward purity with decontamination after blow molding of the preforms. Even the slightest traces of oil can result in altered or toxic product batches and health hazards for the consumers, recalls and reputation damage, as well as costly production downtime and cleanup.

"Nobody wants oil, in any form, in their finished products," says general manager of Atlas Copco Crepelle, Stefan Vertriest.

"Air used to blow drinks containers is typically up to 40 bar pressure, and that blown air has to come into direct contact with the inside of the bottle. In terms of end product purity this air should definitely be free of all contaminants, and especially free of oil," he adds.

Water bottling, juice bottling, carbonated drinks containers, and tea bottling is a rapidly growing market. When consumers reach for refreshment it is vital for the health of the brand they choose that cleanliness and purity is part of the complete product. A brand recall because of potential toxicity would damage the drinks manufacturer, and surely see irreparable damage to the PET bottle provider.

Whereas filters have provided protection in the past Atlas Copco has recently brought to market a new and innovative solution that removes any chance of oil contamination, through its 100% certified oil-free air compressor, in the form of the ZD range.

"The ZD compressor eliminates any risk of oil contamination by virtue of the design itself. At 40 bar delivery there is absolutely no oil detected, which is a major difference with this product from any offering by our competitors and rivals."

Atlas Copco's main rivals have deployed oil injected compressors, in which filters are the primary line of defence.

"They brand this as technically oil-free, but obviously this isn't 100%. It's almost impossible to guarantee that the air is completely free of oil, in residue, vapour or aerosol form this way," adds Vertriest.

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