Food & Beverage Special Focus June/July 2025 www.pwemag.co.uk Plant & Works Engineering | 37 In recent years, disruptions in the CO2 supply chain created major challenges for breweries, forcing some to scale back or halt production, and in some instances, driving smaller microbreweries out of business altogether. With the dual pressure of escalating CO2 costs and persistent supply instability, many brewers had turned to nitrogen as a practical alternative for key applications, such as purging tanks and kegs, canning, kegging, and vessel transfer. “Unlike CO2, nitrogen is abundant and costeffective, providing a stable, inert atmosphere that prevents oxidation, preserves beer quality, and maintains the freshness and flavour of the brew,” said Andrew Butler, Business Development Manager for Industrial Gases at Atlas Copco UK. “By making the switch to nitrogen, brewers can enhance both efficiency and sustainability, while ensuring a consistent, high-quality product. Embracing on-site nitrogen generation can mitigate CO2 supply challenges, helping to reduce reliance on external suppliers, streamline operations, and contribute to long-term sustainability goals.” Improving nitrogen efficiency As breweries seek further operational efficiencies, upgrading to more advanced nitrogen generation systems prove increasingly beneficial. Atlas Copco’s latest models, including the NGP+ and NGPs generators, feature technologies such as the Variable Cycle Saver (VCS) algorithm. This functionality automatically adjusts to reduce energy consumption during lower demand periods, thereby lowering overall operating costs. These systems also offer precise control over nitrogen purity levels—ensuring optimal conditions for high-quality brewing. Critical filtration solutions Effective process filtration remains essential for maintaining hygiene, consistency, and efficiency across the brewing process. Atlas Copco supply a range of filtration technologies—including pre-filtration, depth filtration, and sterile filtration—each deployed at different stages of production, from clarification to final packaging. These systems remove unwanted particulates such as suspended solids, yeast, and proteins, enabling brewers to achieve desired sensory attributes and product stability while meeting regulatory standards. Supporting breweries Atlas Copco says its technologies are supporting breweries of all sizes. Multinational brewers such as Birra Peroni benefit from oil-free ZR air compressor technology, while independent craft brewers—including Whitewater Brewery in Northern Ireland—gain significant value from on-site nitrogen generation. In Whitewater’s case, the transition away from CO2 led to annual savings of approximately £35,000. Beyond nitrogen generation, Atlas Copco offers a complete suite of solutions to improve brewing efficiency. Its compressed air systems met stringent air purity requirements for every stage of production, from fermentation to bottling. Additionally, the company’s energyefficient process chillers supported brewers in maintaining stable temperatures—crucial for preserving the flavour and quality of the final product. For more information please visit: https://tinyurl.com/yepp3pcr Sustainable gas solutions help breweries reduce co2 dependency At BeerX UK 2025, held in Liverpool in March, Atlas Copco highlighted how breweries could reduce their reliance on carbon dioxide (CO2) by adopting sustainable industrial gas solutions. The company presented its on-site nitrogen generators and advanced process filtration systems— technologies designed to help breweries manage rising costs, supply chain disruptions, and net zero targets, while safeguarding product quality and operational efficiency. PWE reports.
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