Filtration in Pulp Juice Processing

Pulp juice has evolved far beyond a health trend. It’s now a strong and growing category within the beverage industry. From mango-based tropical mixes to fiber-rich vegetable blends, these juices combine flavor, nutrition, and good texture. But producing a shelf-stable, consistent juice takes more than just good ingredients. From preparation,  filtration to preservation, a number of meticulously regulated processes come together to guarantee safety and quality in every bottle.

Production begins with fresh, ripe produce selected for quality. Each step in the process plays a part in shaping the final juice.
Here’s how a typical juice processing line is structured:
 

• Washing and sorting: In the first step, fruits and vegetables are thoroughly cleaned and sorted to remove dirt, damaged pieces, and other impurities. The water here should be filtered to make sure it’s safe and clean for washing and also for recycling, and reuse. 
  
• Extraction: In this step, juice and pulp are separated from the solids using crushers, pulpers, or presses. 
  
• Heating: This step helps soften the pulp and helps retain the fruit’s natural color and aroma. The steam requires filtration to reach the standard for culinary steam. 
  
• Juice clarification and de-aeration: This step reduces suspended solids and removes air bubbles to improve overall stability. Optimum pre-filtration helps here.
  
• Pulp juice Filtration: In this critical step, yeast, particles, and other impurities are removed to protect quality and extend shelf life. A mix of targeted filtration with absolute and membrane filtration helps here.
  
• Cooling and filling: In this final step, filtered, clean juice is bottled in sterile, temperature-controlled conditions. Final filtration with sterilising grade membranes keeps the product safe. 

Each of these stages must work in balance. Even small changes in temperature or raw material quality can affect taste, color, or texture, making process control essential.

In pulp juice production, not every filter can handle every task. Different stages call for different solutions, and filters must also meet food safety and regulatory standards. Atlas Copco supports producers with a range of high-performance equipment tailored to the unique demands of pulp-based drinks.

Let’s take a look at where Atlas Copco products can be used in the process for pulp production:

• Bag filters such as the BWFP can be used early in the line to capture large solids like pulp chunks and seeds, and for pre-filtration or recycling of wash water
• Pleated cartridges like the PFP-A⁺ are ideal for finer filtration, especially before bottling
• Sintered metal filters such as the MSS offer a robust and heat-resistant design and materials suitable for culinary steam
• PES membrane filters like BME⁺ and SME⁺ are used for the final filtration as well as yeast removal

All filters used in direct contact with juice must meet industry requirements. Atlas Copco filters are manufactured in ISO 9001 facilities and tested to comply with:

• EU food contact regulations (1935/2004 and 10/2011)
• REACH and RoHS standards that limit hazardous substances like bisphenol or lead
• GMP regulation 2023/2006 for safe materials in food and beverage applications

By staging filters based on function, you ensure smooth operation and reliable juice quality. Hence, it is important to choose the right filtration set-up for your application. 

Even a well-designed system can face operational challenges. By understanding the risks and sequencing filters correctly, producers can prevent downtime, protect product quality, and ensure consistent performance. These challenges can be minimized by sequencing filters properly and performing regular maintenance checks. Below are some common hurdles in pulp juice filtration and how they impact the process:

Juice production generates more than just liquid. Leftover pulp, peel, and fiber can be repurposed into animal feed, compost, or fiber supplements, adding value and reducing waste and improving sustainability.
 

Many facilities now implement water recycling, energy recovery, and reusable filters to reduce environmental impact and operating costs. Pulp juice processing may look simple on the surface, but delivering a clean, shelf-stable product takes coordination across every step. Building a reliable filtration system is a key part of that process, protecting product integrity and helping producers stay efficient.
 

Atlas Copco partners with juice manufacturers to develop complete filtration systems tailored to their product and process. Whether you’re working with tropical fruit blends, mixed vegetables, or high-viscosity formulations, we provide filtration solutions that support clarity, safety, and consistency, batch after batch. Reach out to our filtration expert to know more.