Food & Beverage Industry
We provide Class 0 oil-free compressed air that meets food production cleanliness standards, ensuring product safety and the stable operation of production lines.
Industry Challenges
Why are the requirements for compressed air
in food and beverage production so stringent?
Zero Tolerance for Contamination
Any ingress of oil, microorganisms, or particulates into food products can lead to costly recalls and damage to brand reputation, while also endangering consumer health. There is no room for compromise on food safety.
Compliance with Multiple Regulations
Food and beverage facilities must adhere to a range of international standards—such as ISO 8573-1, ISO 22000—with regulatory requirements covering every stage of the process, from raw materials to packaging.
Uninterrupted Continuous Production
Food production lines often operate 24/7, making the reliability of the compressed air system a direct determinant of production capacity. Any unplanned downtime results in significant financial losses and product waste.
Pressure on Energy Costs
Energy expenses account for approximately 80% of the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for air compressors. Amid rising electricity prices and increasingly strict carbon reduction mandates, reducing the energy consumption of compressed air systems is a critical lever for cost control in manufacturing plants.
Typical Applications
Applications of Compressed Air and Nitrogen in the Food and Beverage Industry
Compressed air and nitrogen are integral to the entire food and beverage production process—from the pneumatic conveying of raw material powders and PET bottle blow molding to modified atmosphere packaging, cleaning, and sterilization.
Different stages of the process have varying requirements for gas purity. Critical processes involving direct contact with food require Class 0 oil-free air, while auxiliary processes can utilize oil-injected compressors equipped with appropriate filtration systems. Nitrogen is primarily used for oxidation prevention and modified atmosphere preservation. Sollant offers integrated solutions that cover every stage of the production process.
01 · Material Conveying
Pneumatic Conveying
Compressed air propels powdered ingredients—such as milk powder, cocoa powder, and sugar—through pipelines from storage silos to the production line; oil-free air ensures the ingredients remain clean and uncontaminated throughout the process.
02 · Automation
Filling / Packaging Lines
Pneumatic valves and actuators in automated lines (for filling, sealing, bottling, etc.) rely on compressed air; oil-free air prevents component jamming and ensures production reliability.
03 · Hygiene & Cleaning
Bottle/Container & Mold Cleaning
Compressed air is used to purge and clean bottles, packaging containers, and molds prior to filling. Oil contamination can spoil containers and alter flavors, making oil-free air an absolute necessity.
04 · Aeration & Fermentation
Fermentation Tank Oxygenation
The fermentation of products like commercial yeast, citric acid, and yogurt requires a continuous supply of oil-free, low-pressure air to provide oxygen to microorganisms; even trace amounts of oil can inhibit bacterial activity.
05 · Molding & Manufacturing
High-pressure air (≥30 bar) is used to blow-mold preforms into PET beverage bottles—a core process in the beverage industry. Sollant’s medium-to-high-pressure compressor models are specifically designed for this application.
06 · Cooling
Cooling Baked Goods
Baked goods such as bread and cakes require compressed air cooling after leaving the oven to preserve their texture and flavor; air quality and purity directly impact the quality of the finished product.
07 · Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP)
Nitrogen Packaging
Nitrogen is injected into packaging to displace oxygen, inhibiting oxidation and bacterial growth; this is a key process for extending the shelf life of products like potato chips, coffee beans, and meat.
08 · Carbonation
CO₂ Carbonation
Processes include carbonating water, soft drinks, and beer, as well as using dry ice (solid CO₂) for low-temperature food transport. Sollant provides CO₂ compression and drying systems.
Why Class 0 Is Crucial
Oil-Free Certification: The Final Line of Defense for Food Safety
Class 0 is the highest grade under the ISO 8573-1 (2010) compressed air quality standard, requiring the complete absence of detectable oil. It is a mandatory benchmark for critical applications in the food and beverage industry.
For critical applications in food and beverage plants, ISO 8573-1 Class 0 oil-free air represents an industry non-negotiable standard. While oil-injected compressors combined with precision filtration cannot eliminate risk 100%, oil-free compressors completely eliminate the possibility of oil contamination at the source.
- Completely eliminates the risk of oil contamination, removing reliance on filters as a final safeguard
- Meets compliance requirements for air used in direct contact with food and packaging
- Complies with the FDA definition of sterile air (0.2µm filtration + bacterial log reduction >10)
- Supports ISO 22000 food safety management system certification audits
- Prevents product recalls and production losses caused by air contamination
Highlights of Sollant’s Solutions for
the Food & Beverage Industry
Oil-Free Solutions
Sollant offers oil-free air compressors designed for the food industry. These solutions minimize the risk of oil contamination and enable users to meet the ISO 8573-1 (2010) Class 0 air purity standard.
Multi-Stage Air Treatment & Tiered Air Supply
Utilizes a combination of refrigerated dryers, desiccant dryers, and precision filters to deliver “tiered air supply” tailored to different production zones:
- Oil-free or high-purity filtered air for high-risk product contact areas
- Low-dewpoint, low-particulate air for packaging areas
- Standard-purity air for general tools and plant utility operations
High Energy Efficiency & Intelligent Control
Leverages high-efficiency screw air-ends, variable frequency drive (VFD) technology, and intelligent control systems to dynamically adjust air supply based on actual production line demand. This minimizes unloading losses and “artificial demand” caused by excessive pressure, thereby reducing overall compressed air energy consumption across the facility.
Reliability & Service Support
Features a modular design for easy maintenance, supported by remote monitoring, preventive maintenance, and a comprehensive spare parts and service network to maximize uptime and minimize unplanned downtime.
Why Choose Us
Why Food & Beverage Companies Choose Sollant
Choose our air compressors not only because we offer efficient and reliable products, but also because we fully understand the food and beverage industry’s strict requirements for air quality. We specialize in providing customized solutions to meet your specific needs, such as high-pressure operation, low noise levels, and extended runtime.
Certified Oil-Free: Safety Guaranteed at the Source
With ISO Class 0 certification, oil contaminants in the compressed air supply are completely eliminated. There is no reliance on downstream filters as a final line of defense, ensuring total peace of mind regarding food safety.
Integrated Systems Covering Every Process Step
Sollant provides comprehensive solutions covering a wide range of equipment, from oil-free and oil-injected compressors to dryers, filters, nitrogen generators, CO2 compressors, and piping control systems.
VSD Technology: Significant Energy Savings
Variable Speed
Expert Engineering Support at Every Stage
Sollant’s engineering team provides end-to-end support—from needs analysis, system selection, and installation/commissioning to TCO optimization advice. We offer a complete partnership, not just equipment sales.
Food and Beverage Industry
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an oil-free air compressor mandatory for the food industry?
Not necessarily; it depends on whether the air comes into direct contact with the product. For direct-contact applications (such as mixing, fermentation, or raw material conveying), using an ISO Class 0 certified oil-free compressor is strongly recommended. For non-contact applications (such as powering pneumatic cylinders), a high-quality oil-lubricated screw compressor paired with a high-efficiency oil-removal filter can meet food safety standards while offering better cost-effectiveness. Sollant can provide the most suitable solution based on your specific processes.
How can the dryness of the compressed air be ensured?
Compressed air contains significant moisture, which condenses into liquid water upon cooling. It is essential to use a refrigerated air dryer (to lower the pressure dew point to 2–10°C) or an adsorption dryer (capable of lowering the pressure dew point to between -20°C and -70°C). Sollant offers a comprehensive range of dryers to ensure there is no liquid water in your piping system, thereby preventing bacterial growth.
How do air compressors operate stably in harsh environments characterized by high temperatures, high humidity, or prolonged operation?
Handling high temperatures: Utilize large-sized coolers and high-efficiency fans, and use fully synthetic lubricants (for details, please refer to High-Temperature Management for Screw Air Compressors) to ensure the unit does not trip at ambient temperatures of 45°C.
Handling high humidity: High-efficiency intake filtration and air-water separators are installed, combined with refrigerated dryers, to ensure the timely discharge of condensate.
Handling prolonged operation: The airend is designed for heavy-duty, continuous operation; variable frequency drives (VFD) and soft-start technology minimize mechanical stress, while rotational operation among multiple units prevents equipment fatigue.
What are the specific requirements for compressed air across different stages of the process, such as PET bottle blowing, filling, and packaging?
| Work Section | Pressure Requirement | Core Quality Requirement |
| PET bottle blowing | 30–40 bar | Must be oil-free (Class 0) |
| Filling | 5–8 bar | Must be oil-free (Class 0) |
| Packaging | 4–6 bar | No strict oil-free requirement |
| Instrument air | 5–7 bar | Highly dry (-20°C dew point) |
How often does the compressed air system require maintenance?
| Item | Frequency |
| Daily checks (liquid level, alarms, drainage) | Daily |
| Air filter | 500–1,000 hours |
| Oil filter | 1,000–2,000 hours |
| Oil-Air Separator | 2,000–4,000 hours |
| Lubricating Oil (Mineral/Fully Synthetic) | 2,000–4,000 / 8,000 hours |
| Cooler cleaning | 3–6 months |
| Safety Valve Calibration | Once a year |
| Complete machine overhaul | 20,000–24,000 hours |
Maintenance intervals must be shortened for environments characterized by high temperatures, high humidity, or heavy dust.
Request a Quick Quote Now
Order or No Order? We're here for you 24/7
