Food & Drink Processing & Packaging Issue 50 2024 | Page 16

How to dispense highly concentrated solutions to reduce your carbon footprint

At Quantex , we understand that dispensing highly-concentrated solutions can be very challenging . Higher concentrations often mean higher viscosity fluids , and most pump technologies struggle to transfer thicker liquids . However , product manufacturers are keen to reduce their carbon footprint and one way of doing this is to ship less water , which is not only good for the environment , but it also reduces costs in a number of ways .
In this article , we ’ ll analyse the benefits that can come from dispensing highly concentrated solutions , and how by doing so , you could reduce your carbon footprint . We will also provide a groundbreaking solution to dispensing higher viscosity fluids and diluting in-pump for a perfectly mixed , readyto-use consumer product .
Using concentrates and diluting at the point of dispense can bring many benefits to the consumer , especially when compared with pre-packaged goods off the shelf . This is because a dispenser can offer the consumer greater choice – allowing them to tailor the amount of diluent added into their product . These benefits include the opportunity to :
Reduce the amount of sugar or calories – many food and beverage solutions ( e . g . energy , juice or fizzy drinks ), are high in sugar or calories . By increasing the dilution ratio , you can reduce the amount of sugar or calories you consume
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By transporting your product in a concentrated form and using a Quantex pump , you can dilute in-pump with a ratio of up to 500:1
Improve the taste – some food and drink products , such as concentrated juices or smoothies , can be too strong or sour to drink for some people , but by adding more dilution , they can be more palatable
Make the product easier to digest – some people struggle to consume thick and heavy products as they are difficult to digest , but diluting them can make consumption easier
Reduce the risk of side effects – There are a few food and drink products that are enjoyable but can come with negative side effects ( e . g . energy drinks can cause anxiety , insomnia , and headaches ), but by diluting them , you can reduce the risk of these side effects .
Next , we ’ ll consider the further benefits that come with packaging and shipping a smaller product that helps reduce your carbon footprint and transportation costs :
Reduce the size of transportation – as a concentrated solution is smaller per serving , the volume needed to ship can be smaller meaning the transportation , its emissions and its carbon footprint can be reduced
Increasing the product shelf life – by reducing or removing the solute that makes the composition of a product start to decompose or rot , you can prolong the shelf-life of your product
Reducing the amount of packaging needed during transportation – by shipping a smaller-sized product , the packaging size can be reduced , along with the protective shipping materials and waste produced at