UTE provides clean air solutions for food industry

United Tractor & Equipment (Pvt.) Limited (UTE), recognised as a provider of precision-engineered solutions, hosted a customer awareness session titled ‘Oil-free for a cleaner world’ recently to create awareness of the benefits of using oil-free, environmentally safe, industrial air through the efficient FS Curtis oil-free air compressor range.
The FS Curtis range is renowned globally for having set the gold standard for its superior compressors. Its oil-free air compressors are geared to help industries that require compressed air overcome ecological and technological challenges.
The seminar, especially targeting the food industry, where air purity affects the quality of products manufactured, contributed in creating awareness and promoting environmentally friendly solutions.
The event also served towards supporting the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and larger organisations, improve the quality of products manufactured in Sri Lanka. Through UTE and FS Curtis, these manufacturers now have access to 100 percent oil-free compressors that have been approved and certified by international standards institutions.
The special invites attending the event included the keynote speaker, Sri Lanka Council for Agricultural Research Policy Chairman and Consultant to Agriculture Minister Dr. S.G.D. Jayawardena, FS Curtis USA Director Major Accounts Robert Hornamen and Overseas Sales Department and FS Curtis Taiwan Manager Jeff Wu.
Representing the host, UTE was UTE CEO Riyad Ismail together with the senior management. The other participants attending this thought-provoking event included decision-makers and representatives from the food and beverage industry in the country.
Addressing the gathering, Ismail noted, “The seminar was focused on the needs of the leading food manufacturers in Sri Lanka who are on the lookout for innovative technologies. We understand that food manufacturers face numerous challenges when using pneumatic air solutions to meet the high standards.”
Dr. Jayawardena spoke on the challenges faced by the food industry during the manufacturing process.
“Such a seminar is timely and relevant as there exists a need for this technology; it’s important not just to produce food but to ensure safe and healthy food for the people of Sri Lanka.”
Explaining the importance of clean compressed air Dr. Jayawardena noted, “Air is very important for any of our processing facilities. As demand for processed food is increasing rapidly, even for exports there are very stringent food safety standards in place today. As the origin of a food item or its traceability comes into play, the importance of food safety is highlighted.”
Commending UTE in organising the seminar he said, “With serious efforts to establish food safety standards in the country, this is a good initiative and will benefit the country.”
Hornamen elaborating on oil-free air said, “Compressed air touches food and its safety has to be a priority in food manufacturing. The reason being we take atmospheric air and compress it – everything that is surrounding it is also included, all particles including dust, etc. when it touches food results in contamination.
Explaining the need to eliminate all contaminants Hornamen said, “The primary feature compressed air technology can bring to your business is to eliminate all risk of contamination offering the highest level of purity. Through these applications zero oil means zero risk of oil contamination. It means zero risk of damaged or unsafe products.”
The FS Curtis oil-free air compressor series available in Sri Lanka are the Reciprocating (1.5 – 150 kW), Rotary Screw (15 - 250 kW) Centrifugal (180 – 4,000 kW). An interesting question and answer session followed this presentation. The event concluded with networking and fellowship.
Compliance with food safety and quality assurance standards in the production of food and beverages is critically important globally. Locally too, food manufacturers and exporters strive to ensure stringent food safety standards.  
While the use of pneumatic air processes are a popular choice for food manufacturers, the possibility of food getting contaminated is a growing concern, resulting in the need for contaminate-free, high-quality compressed air for all types of food and beverage manufacturing operations.