Hollingsworth & Vose (H&V) is a leading source of advanced materials for high-efficiency filtration applications. We offer filter media solutions for a wide range of critical filtration applications, including food and beverage operations.
What Is the Role of Filtration in the Food and Beverage Industry?
In the food and beverage industry, filtration plays a critical role in production processes. Manufacturers utilize them for a variety of purposes, including enhancing product flavor, extending shelf life, ensuring cleanliness and consistency. For these applications, selecting the right filtration media can affect overall costs, energy usage, and product quality.
Which Current Food and Beverage Trends Are Affecting Filtration Solutions?
While filtration has long been a part of food and beverage manufacturing, new industry trends have impacted filtration operations, including:
- The pursuit of new flavor profiles
- The desire for sustainability (decreased energy consumption, reduced packaging costs, increased shelf life, improved yields)
- The demand for better health and nutrition
- The increased value on local (regional) sourcing (CSAs, farmers’ markets, farm-to-table)
What Types of Liquid Filtration Processes Are Used in Food and Beverage Applications?
Food and beverage manufacturers use a variety of liquid filtration processes to suit different product and production needs. H&V provides material solutions for the following:
- Particle filtration
- Microfiltration
- Ultrafiltration
- Nanofiltration
- Reverse osmosis
What Are Some Common Applications of Food and Beverage Filtration Systems?
In addition to beer production, filters find application in many other food and beverage operations. Other products that rely on them include:
- Agricultural water
- Bottled water
- Dairy
- Enzymes
- Fruit juice
- High fructose corn syrup
- Vegetable oil
- Wine
What Is the Role of Filtration in Beer Production?
Filtration is vital to beer production, a process in which yeasts are used to convert grains into alcohol and sugars. Filters are employed at various steps, including:
- Water sourcing. Good beer starts with good water. Breweries generally treat the water at the beginning of the production process.
- Fermentation. During the fermentation process, yeasts and grains are added. Beer trap filters are used to remove them once the beer is ready to be moved from fermentation and/or aging tanks to holding tanks.
- Beer trap. Beer trap is a common 5-micron filtration step that uses meltblown filter media.
- Clarification. The clarification process utilizes diatomaceous earth (DE) to remove solids from the beer. The DE is then removed in subsequent filtration steps.
- Rinse and fill. Before bottles and kegs are filled with beer, they are rinsed with sterile water to ensure cleanliness.
- Vent filtration. The beer production process creates gases that need to be released from the tank. Vent filters enable gas to be released without allowing contamination into the beer.
Why Choose H&V’s Food and Beverage Filter Media Solutions?
At Hollingsworth & Vose, we provide a broad selection of advanced materials for filtration applications in the food and beverage industry, such as:
- Trupor®. This sub-micron product family can be made from various polymers. Several traditional microfiltration grades are available (0.65 microns, 0.45 microns, and 0.20 microns).
- Meltblown composites. Meltblown liquid filtration products are available in polypropylene (PP), polyester (PBT), and nylon, and in grades ranging from 0.80 micron to 30 micron.
- Wetlaid cellulose. Wetlaid cellulose products are suitable for many industrial and water treatment applications and are available in grades ranging from 1 to 50 micron.
- Wetlaid glass. Wetlaid glass products are ideal for applications requiring fine pore sizes. Grades range from 0.20 micron to 10 micron, and some are available with supporting regulatory claims (e.g., FDA).
- Air/vent filter media. Air filter media is often used in conjunction with liquid filtration media.
Compared to competing filtration materials, the products at H&V offer a number of benefits when used in food and beverage operations, such as:
- Reduced production cost. H&V filtration products have increased flux and long element life, which decreases energy usage and allows for fewer changeouts.
- Improved end products. The quality of the end product is highly important in the food and beverage industry. The improved flux and efficiency offered by our filters result in new and improved flavors, longer shelf life, and a lower need for preservatives.
There are many filtration and separation solutions available, which is why it is important to select carefully to ensure the one you use fully meets your needs. In some cases, a custom solution may be required. The experts at H&V would like to help solve your filtration challenges. To learn more about our filtration products or get started on a customized solution, contact us today.