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Global food ingredients manufacturer achieves optimal product qualities, production efficiencies with PPG silica as a carrier for dry liquid concentrate (DLC)

Status quo no longer. PPG helps manufacturer propel into product, production successes.

For a leading, global producer of food ingredients, exceptional product performance and consistency, and a committed supplier partnership were crucial in the production of lecithin as a dry liquid concentrate (DLC) using silica as a carrier. PPG met the challenge, offering the manufacturer our PPG FLO-GARD™ 255C-D silica for an ideal loading level for DLCs coupled with a solutions-focused approach to technical support.

Summary

  • A global food ingredients producer needed a silica product that not only met performance needs, but also proved reliable in the manufacturing process.
  • The manufacturer sought a silica product that could deliver 70% liquid loading for a lecithin DLC.
  • PPG Flo-Gard 255C-D silica offered a consistent production experience, improving the manufacturer’s throughput and efficiency while delivering a free-flowing, anti-caking powder-like substance that absorbs 70% of liquid into the particle surfaces.
  • PPG served not just as product supplier, but a solutions partner. Through robust laboratory testing and onsite production support, PPG experts helped the manufacturer increase product quality and optimize production and product packing processes.  

Challenge

For a European-based, global food ingredient manufacturer, lecithin provides a number of benefits, including making margarines spreadable, cocoa powder mixable and instant beverage mixes dissolvable.

Fulfilling the needs of food producers, and ultimately consumer preferences, their lecithin extract requires the use of silica to absorb and convert high volumes into dry liquid concentrates (DLC).

Combo Lecithin ProductServing as an absorbent carrier, silica enables lecithin to be used as an emulsifier for flavoring extracts, dry baking mixes, powdered beverages and more. As a leading producer of lecithin, the manufacturer relies on silica as a critical raw material in their production process.

Desiring improved processing efficiency and flexibility to store and transport various end-use products, a reliable and high-quality silica was essential to the manufacturer.

After encountering production complications resulting from silica performance issues, major business disruptions soon followed. Of top concern, the manufacturer’s incumbent silica supplier failed to provide a product that consistently held the required 70% loading capacity of active ingredients – an attribute necessary to ensure the end product was a dry free flowing powder not prone to caking.

When the manufacturer’s strategic supply partner, a long-time PPG distributor, recognized these issues, it was clear they needed more than a silica provider – they needed a solutions partner.

The Solution

Status quo was no longer an option for the manufacturer.

PPG’s sales and technical support teams jumped into action to uncover the optimal silica solution for the manufacturer. PPG’s technical experts quickly began conducting testing and research to pair their silica product offerings precisely with the manufacturer’s needs.

The process initiated at PPG’s research facilities in Monroeville, Pa., where PPG performed numerous tests for carrying capacity and flowability using samples of the manufacturer’s liquid product. After analyzing several PPG silica grades, it was determined that PPG Flo-Gard 255C-D silica met the liquid loading target, price point and other desired qualities.

Testing then moved from the lab to real-world production conditions. To verify product performance and meet compliance requirements, the manufacturer ran the PPG silica through their production process. PPG’s technical support team was on-site to provide guidance and ensure appropriate performance and dosing. PPG also identified opportunities that helped the manufacture improve throughput and streamline its packaging process.

Following the successful lab and production testing, the manufacturer adopted PPG Flo-Gard 255C-D silica as their sole silica solution. For sustainable sourcing, PPG supplied the product regionally from its Delfzijl, Netherlands production facility, which holds  FSSC 22000, Kosher, Halal and GMP+ certifications to support the food industry.

For added efficiency and safety, PPG’s packaging of PPG Flo-Gard 255C-D silica is available in standard European packaging sizes to fit pallet dimensions and work seamlessly with automated warehouse systems.

The Results

With PPG experts onsite to guide the crossover, the manufacturer adopted the use of PPG Flo-Gard 255C-D silica, a product backed by more than 30 years of research and development. The final product resulted in a free-flowing, anti-caking powder-like substance which met the goal of absorbing 70% of liquid into particle surfaces.

The manufacturer also realized improved manufacturing throughput due to shorter mixing and faster packing times, allowing greater storage and transportation flexibility.

Family baking

Why it Works

Requiring a silica capable of 70% loading capacity for use in its lecithin production, a global food manufacturer partnered with PPG. After thorough lab and manufacturing site testing, PPG supported the manufacturer in transitioning to PPG Flo-Gard 255C-D silica. Ultimately, the manufacturer realized an increase in production throughput and proactive solutions for product quality and consistency.

Do you have your own dry liquid concentrate application that might benefit from PPG’s line of versatile, high-performance precipitated silica products? Request a sample or e-mail our technical team to learn how PPG Flo-Gard silica can improve your operations.