Sustainability in seafood packaging with Atlas Copco liquid ring vacuum pumps

Region: Lovund, Norway

Sector: EPS Packaging for seafood

Benefit: Up to 50% energy savings

Atlantic Styro is based in Lovund, a small island off the coast of Norway, close to the Arctic Circle. In this small but thriving community, all the local businesses are connected to the fish farming industry. They produce Expanded Polystyrene storage and transport boxes for fish which help to keep produce such as salmon fresh. Sustainability and a dedication to quality are of primary importance to Atlantic Styro.

Challenge:

The modern food industry is focused on sustainability. Fish farming and packaging is no exception - from raising the smolt to delivering the salmon to consumers. Freshness, environmental footprint, sustainable infrastructure, and production are important. Atlantic Styro are based next door to a renowned producer of farmed salmon. They have a close working relationship, based on mutual trust and a shared dedication to quality. Atlantic Styro require a reliable vacuum supply to produce the EPS boxes and packaging. The vacuum is used to evacuate the steam resulting from the expansion of the Polystyrene.

Solution:

Atlas Copco Vacuum values trust and quality as much as Atlantic Styro. We want to be part of the solution for a better tomorrow. These shared values were part of the reason they chose Atlas Copco as their vacuum solutions provider.

The other reason is the superior vacuum performance of the Atlas Copco LRP VSD+ intelligent liquid ring vacuum pump. It provides optimum energy efficiency along with low operational and maintenance costs. Its ease of use, integration into existing processes and centralization capabilities make this a truly unique liquid ring vacuum pump.

Atlas Copco offered a solution that included three LRP VSD+ vacuum pumps, that easily integrated into Atlantic Styro’s existing process. A closed loop water circuit set-up ensures the pump will never run out of water and the added energy recovery set-up ensures there is no wasted energy.

These LRP VSD+ series are equipped with Atlas Copco’s in-built, powerful, and user-friendly Elektronikon™ vacuum controller. It allows Atlantic Styro to integrate their complete system and take full control of their vacuum system.

Outcome:

The LRP VSD+ installation offers Atlantic Styro with a stable vacuum supply. Equipped with two variable speed drives, the vacuum system is optimized for both energy and water efficiency. One for the motor speed to ensure that the pump delivers only what is needed for the process. The second variable speed drive regulates the water circulation pump to optimize the water flow and stabilize the vacuum level. With a small footprint, the LRP VSD+ is delivered in a single neat enclosure. The noise containing canopy significantly reduces noise pollution in the immediate working environment with an operating noise level in the range of 65 dB(a). For Atlantic Styro the LRP VSD+ pumps have brought a huge energy saving and less impact on the environment. That is a huge advantage - not only for the customer’s wallet, but also for the environment. Less energy used means less strain on our natural resources. Atlas Copco Vacuum puts energy savings and environmental sustainability on the menu with this fresh vacuum solution.

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