Absorbents for food and beverage plants and food retail

Match the absorbent to the liquid

Choosing by liquid keeps the right product in the right place and makes training simple.

• Machinery oils, lubricants, coolants and mixed drips around lines and gearboxes: universal (grey).
• CIP cleaning agents, caustics and acids, in chemical stores, at dosing stations and in boiler rooms: chemical (hi-viz yellow). Polypropylene is chemically inert, so it absorbs these liquids without degrading or reacting.
• Water from chillers, freezers, defrost, condensate and burst pipes: SAP flat socks and leak pads, which turn water into gel that does not drain back when lifted.
• Wiping equipment and surfaces: wipers chosen by material and surface.

Water in cold rooms and food retail

In supermarkets, cold stores and cold-chain sites, much of the spill work is water: condensate from display cases, freezer defrost, chiller drips and leaks from pipes and roofs. Towels and mops are bulky and slow, and they drip when lifted.

Superabsorbent polymer sits as dry granules inside a fabric sleeve, so the products store thin and flat in a cupboard. On contact with water each granule swells and holds the water as a firm gel, so nothing drains back out when the pad is picked up. Flat socks hold up to 2 litres each and go under sinks, chillers, freezers, thresholds and condensate trays. Leak pads deal with everyday drips; maxi leak pads are built for litres, such as burst pipes, defrost overflow and roof leaks. Every seam is ultrasonically welded, so no water escapes through needle holes.

SAP is for fresh, rain and ground water only. It does not absorb oils, solvents or salt water, so keep universal absorbents for machinery fluids.

Chemicals and CIP

Cleaning-in-place and sanitation rely on caustic and acid cleaners, which need an absorbent that will not break down in them. Our chemical absorbents are inert polypropylene, in hi-viz yellow so they are recognised at a glance, and they take up acids up to 98% sulphuric, caustics, CIP cleaning agents and unknown spills. They are not recommended for hydrofluoric acid or strong oxidisers such as fuming nitric acid or oleum. Always test compatibility with the chemicals on site before use; used absorbents take on the properties of the liquid they have absorbed.

Hygiene and colour coding

Food sites usually work to their own hygiene and food-safety plans, and many use colour coding to keep products for different areas apart. Absorbent colours can be made to your specification, so a range can be matched to the colour system your customers use. Check the requirements of your customers and markets for any product used near food, and make sure your packaging and documents meet them.

Supplying food and beverage customers under your brand

We supply distributors and brands who sell under their own name. Universal, chemical and SAP products and wipers can travel together: 5–6 different products can be combined in one 40'HQ container. Plain polybags are standard; printed polybags, cartons and labels are available at extra cost.