Darryl MacDougall, MD, Verder Pumps South Africa
GIVEN increasing consumer demand for eco-friendly food products, both locally and internationally, it is worth noting that South Africa outscores 16 of the countries ranked above it in the Global Food Security Index (GFSI) report in the area of Sustainability and Adaption – which assesses a country’s exposure to the impacts of climate change; its susceptibility to natural resource risks; and how it is adapting to these risks.
An IDC industry report also indicates that almost 30% of food and beverage decision-makers cited this trend in consumer demand as their top factor for striving toward greater sustainability.
As such, a focus on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) initiatives could represent an opportunity in the food and beverage industry and enable manufacturers and exporters to build on the momentum achieved over the last year.
Investing in innovative pump technology solutions can support this drive by reducing waste produced during processing, improving efficiency in the use of water and energy resources, and even combating food waste.
For example, processing food waste by removing solids and water allows manufacturers to extract value from organic matter that would otherwise have been sent to landfill.
Innovative pump solutions can instead be used to move the chopped slurry from holding tanks, through a heat exchanger to raise the temperature, and then into an anaerobic digestion facility.
This hot organic material must then be dosed reliably and accurately with an inorganic pH buffer to accelerate and maximise the breakdown of the material. The results of the anaerobic digestion process are digestate and wastewater that can be further used (or sold) as fertiliser, and biogas – a recognised source of renewable energy with enormous potential, according to a 2022 study published by SANEDI.
Hygienic, precision pump solutions could also enable upcycling. Upcycling involves using food waste to create a new product, such as turning leftover fruit pulp from juicing into fruit leather or jam – creating a new revenue stream while also ensuring more environmentally friendly operations.
The right pump solution will be able to manage diverse and abrasive products – making them ideal for multi-product lines such as those required for upcycling food.
Additionally, innovative hygienic pumps will also improve energy and water efficiencies in manufacturing operations, ensuring more sustainable use of critical resources.
Food and beverage manufacturers who are looking for a competitive advantage in an increasingly ESG-sensitive consumer environment know that processes must be not only reliable, repeatable and error-free – but sustainable as well. Integrating the right equipment is critical to achieving this.
We understand that navigating the technical obstacles of selecting the right pumping solutions for specific applications, and for adapting operations towards improved sustainability, can be complex.
Food and beverage processors therefore need to look to a trusted and reputable brand that can offer not only a wide range of pumping solutions, but solutions that are long-lasting, cost-effective and efficient – because they are 100% fit-for-purpose for the application.
