World leader in plant-based extracts production
Our customer is a worldwide leader in producing and commercializing plant-based extracts from different raw materials, like chestnut, quebracho, tara, myrobalan, and gambier, with the main available extracts coming from tara gum and pectin. They have followed the natural trend to supply healthy products, associated with no pollution, waste, and excess since the foundation of the first plant to extract tannins in the chestnut valleys of Southern Piedmont.
From respect for the environment and policies for the efficient use of resources stems the company’s commitment to energy saving and the optimal use of raw materials.
The challenge
The customer required a decationization plant for pectic juice in nitric acid, an intermediate in pectin production, with a flow rate of 16 m³/h.
The main challenge was managing an inlet fluid at 50 °C, which could not be cooled to avoid the risk of solidification. In addition, the presence of traces of nitric acid and the use of citric acid during the regeneration phases required highly resistant and fully compatible materials.
Furthermore, it was necessary to ensure that all product-contact materials were FDA-certified, in compliance with the strict standards of the food industry.
The project
Our team developed a solution capable of treating pectic juice while maintaining a constant temperature throughout all process phases, thus preserving its chemical and physical properties.
Special attention was given to the selection of resins, ebonite coatings, piping, and valves, ensuring resistance to chemical corrosion and full compliance with food-contact requirements.
Our process engineers carefully evaluated the compatibility of all components with high pressures and temperatures, fluid viscosity and density, aggressive chemical compounds, and the available installation space, thereby guaranteeing reliability, safety, and full compliance with food industry regulations.
The supplied solution
The supplied plant consists of two pressurized vessels, a front panel with piping and automatic valves for managing the operation and regeneration phases, and various accessories.
The scope of supply included full workshop assembly, ensuring maximum construction precision and preliminary testing, as well as a dedicated PLC for automatic plant management and control of the regeneration phases.
All fluid-contact components — including resins, ebonite coatings, piping, and valves — were manufactured using FDA-certified materials, ensuring full compliance with food-contact standards.
