In today’s competitive business landscape, efficiency and sustainability are no longer optional luxuries, they’re essential for survival. A staggering 66% of consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable products, prompting companies to rethink their operational strategies. As consumers, shareholders, and stakeholders increasingly prefer partners committed to sustainability, businesses must adapt or risk falling behind.
One technology that is proving to be a game changer for companies that manufacture or process liquids and are looking to improve their efficiency and sustainability is HPS Advanced Liquid Product Recovery (Pigging) Technology. If you’re not familiar with pigging or have been putting of implementing it into your production processes, you might be setting yourself up for significant challenges down the road.
Read this article to find out how pigging works, the hidden costs of inaction, and why adopting this technology is crucial for future success.
Advanced Liquid Product Recovery (Pigging) Systems
Among various methods of liquid product recovery, projectile pigging stands out as the most effective and proven approach. When using custom-designed pigging systems, manufacturers across a diverse range of industries benefit from increased yields, reduced waste, and improved operational efficiency.
Usually performed during batch changeovers, HPS pigging technology operates by introducing a specialised projectile, known as a ‘pig’, into a pipeline. The pig is propelled through the line, pushing residual product to its destination. HPS pigging technology typically recovers up to 99.5% of the product. The pig is bidirectional and is returned to its housing as part of the pigging sequence, eliminating the need for manual intervention.
HPS pigging systems are bespoke designed by industry experts to meet your specific processing needs. This ensures highly improved operational efficiency, regardless of the product that you manufacture.
HPS has worked with thousands of companies throughout the world and has extensive experience in many sectors, including food, drink, chemicals, paints, coatings, personal care, homecare, pet food, and chocolate.
The Hidden Costs of Inaction
Lost Product and Revenue
Without pigging technology, businesses essentially flush money down the drain. High-performance pigging systems typically recover up to 99.5% of residual product from pipelines. By neglecting this technology, companies lose valuable product with every production run and changeover. Over time, these losses can accumulate into substantial amounts, directly impacting the bottom line.
Increased Waste and Disposal Costs
The product that isn’t recovered doesn’t just vanish; it becomes waste that needs disposal, which is often costly. Excessive waste generation can lead to conflicts with increasingly stringent environmental regulations, potentially resulting in fines and damage to your company’s reputation.
Operational Inefficiencies
Extended Downtime
Without pigging, changeovers and cleaning processes take longer. This extended downtime means less production time, directly affecting output and revenue. Manufacturers who use HPS pigging systems typically experience in a decrease in downtime of 20%. By not implementing pigging systems, companies miss out on substantial efficiency boosts.
Resource Wastage
Pigging isn’t just about product recovery, it’s also about optimising resource consumption. Without pigging, companies often use more water and cleaning chemicals during clean-in-place (CIP) procedures than necessary. This not only increases operational costs but also negatively impacts environmental footprints.
With Pigging | Without Pigging | |
Water | Optimised | Excessive |
Chemicals | Reduced | Increased |
Time | Efficient | Extended |
Competitive Disadvantage
Falling Behind Industry Standards
As more companies adopt pigging technology, it is quickly becoming an industry standard. By failing to implement pigging systems, businesses risk falling behind competitors in terms of efficiency, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness. This can create significant challenges in remaining competitive in the market.
Missed Opportunities for Growth
The efficiency gains from pigging can free up resources and capacity for increased production and potential business growth. Without these gains, companies may struggle to meet rising demand or be unable to seize new opportunities due to capacity constraints.
Environmental and Regulatory Risks
Non-Compliance with Regulations
Environmental regulations are becoming increasingly stringent regarding waste generation and resource usage. Without pigging technology, businesses may find it challenging to comply with these regulations, risking fines or even production shutdowns.
Sustainability Concerns
In an era where consumers and investors are increasingly conscious of environmental issues, neglecting sustainable practices like pigging can harm a company’s image and stakeholder relationships. Companies that fail to adapt may find themselves facing backlash from both consumers and regulatory bodies.
Case Study: The Cost of Inaction
Consider a juice manufacturer in the UK that delayed implementing pigging technology due to budget concerns. As competitors adopted more efficient processes, this manufacturer struggled with rising production costs and waste management issues. Unable to compete effectively in a rapidly evolving market landscape, they eventually ceased operations – a stark reminder of the consequences of failing to innovate.
Now Discover How Companies Are Benefitting
The Path Forward
Implementing pigging technology isn’t just about avoiding pitfalls, it’s also about positioning your company for future success. Pigging systems offer numerous benefits:
- Increased yields: Higher recovery rates translate directly into profit.
- Reduced waste: Less waste means lower disposal costs.
- Lower labour costs: Streamlined operations reduce labour requirements.
- Improved sustainability: Aligns business practices with consumer expectations.
By investing in custom pigging systems now, you’re not just solving current problems. You’re future proofing your operations against increasing production demands and stricter regulations while meeting growing pressure for sustainable practices.
Take Action Now
Don’t wait until it’s too little, too late. Start exploring how pigging can benefit your operations today. The sooner you implement pigging, the sooner you can begin reaping its numerous financial and operational benefits.
On the other hand, the longer you leave it, the more money you could be losing.
In a world of business, standing still is equivalent to moving backward. Take the step toward improved efficiency, sustainability, and financial security with pigging technology.
Contact HPS today for a personalised consultation on how to implement pigging technology in your operations!
By understanding the critical role that HPS Advanced Liquid Product Recovery (Pigging) Technology plays in modern manufacturing processes, you can ensure that your business not only survives but thrives in an increasingly competitive market.