The Race to Net Zero - A Difficult Problem But There Is A Solution

Recently, within the framework of the workshop "Towards Net-Zero: Strategies and solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the food industry" at the Vietfood & Beverage - Propack Vietnam 2024 exhibition, many solutions and practical experiences were presented by businesses in the food & beverage sector. Especially, when the requirements for Net-Zero and sustainability standards are increasing.

GEA - one of the world's leading suppliers of technological supply chains (machinery, processing and filling plants...) for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries, shared about emission reduction solutions. In particular, GEA especially emphasized aseptic filling technology. Technology plays a strategic role in contributing to the supplier's sustainable development goals and achieving Net Zero by 2040, while also providing sustainable development solutions for many of GEA's major partners in the world, including Vietnam.

aaaaaaaaaaaaa2.jpg
Mr. Vincent Mauer - CEO of GEA Vietnam Co., Ltd.

GEA representatives proposed specific solutions such as: Reducing scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions by 27.5% by 2030, 100% of the proposed solutions will be associated with zero use of freshwater by 2030, 100% of the solutions related to the packaging process will use sustainable packaging materials by 2030, 100% of materials used to package machinery or spare parts will meet one of the five R's of the circular economy (reduce, reuse, repair, reproduce, recycle) by 2026.

As an indispensable activity in any beverage production process, aseptic filling technology (sterile at room temperature) is being applied in the beverage industry today to minimize environmental impact.

Aseptic is a technology that includes a complex of closely linked stages (from processing, mixing, UHT (Ultra High Temperature) sterilization, filling and capping) to produce a product. This process is carried out in a closed and sterile system. Both bottles and caps must be sterilized. The Aseptic filling system is capable of recovering bottle and cap sterilization solution (Peracetic Acid - PAA), recovering sterile water in addition to low energy consumption.

According to GEA representatives, the aseptic filling solution brings many benefits on the journey to realizing the Net Zero goal. The new aseptic water rinsing system in the GEA ECOSpin has received the GEA Add Better label, helping to significantly reduce water consumption thanks to the new nozzle design by up to 91% compared to previous versions. In addition, this system can also be integrated to upgrade previous generation equipment, achieving water savings of up to 83%.

With this aseptic filling technology, the product sterilization system (UHT) uses heat exchange technology with less impact on the environment, saving up to 90% energy (while hot filling saves 60% energy).

aaaaaaaaa3.jpg
GEA will continue to accompany Tan Hiep Phat in the project of transforming the circular economic model.

Not only that, aseptic technology also helps reduce the amount of plastic used compared to other technologies such as hot filling. With the cooperation of GEA, each bottled product under the Tan Hiep Phat brand has reduced the weight of the bottle used by 50%, to only 13.5 grams. This helps reduce CO2 emissions equivalent to 20% for each bottle of product.

Tan Hiep Phat and the effort to reach Net Zero

In Vietnam, GEA has joined hands with Tan Hiep Phat to develop 10 high-speed lines at Tan Hiep Phat factories stretching from North to South in Vietnam. These are also the earliest PET aseptic filling lines in Vietnam to be recognized by FDA standards for low-acid products.

The collaboration between the two companies helps to bring beverage products with good nutritional content for health, while maintaining natural color and flavor, purity, and no preservatives. In addition, this technology also helps the company reduce the amount of plastic used in the production process by reducing the weight of the bottle. The company can also reduce waste during the production process and reduce both electricity and water usage.

In the coming time, GEA will work with Tan Hiep Phat to implement a number of projects based on the GEA ECOSpin2 ZERO aseptic filling cluster and GEA Modulbloc technology. Accordingly, GEA and Tam Hiep Phat are focusing on developing equipment to be recognized with the "GEA Add Better" label (a label that ensures better sustainable practices). The main goal is still to reduce the amount of plastic as much as possible. Aseptic filling technology will also ensure the reduction of plastic, increase the sensory flavor and shelf life of the product, helping to reach more consumers in the market in a more sustainable way.

aaaaaaaaaaaaa4.jpg
Close-up of Aseptic cold filling technology line

In addition, GEA also has many technological innovations for other equipment in the line such as the bottle blowing machine: in addition to the current bottle blowing technology, GEA has added aseptic bottle blowing technology. This is also a way to reduce plastic while saving water and energy quite significantly. These factors will play a significant role in the Net Zero plan by 2030.

Hong Nhung