Nitrogen is essential in food packaging, keeping products fresh, safe, and visually appealing. It protects snacks, extends the shelf life of beverages and produce, and is vital for packaging operations. However, traditional nitrogen supply methods can be costly and logistically challenging, impacting efficiency.
Onsite nitrogen generators provide a cost-effective, consistent, and sustainable solution for food businesses, helping with lowering nitrogen costs in the food packaging industry. In this blog, we’ll cover nitrogen’s uses in food packaging, the drawbacks of traditional nitrogen delivery, and how onsite generation can improve your operations.
The Role of Nitrogen in Food Packaging
In food packaging, nitrogen serves several vital purposes—all aimed at maximizing product quality and extending shelf life. Here are three key applications:
Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP)
Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) is a widely used technique that replaces oxygen inside food packaging with nitrogen or other gases to preserve freshness. By minimizing oxygen levels, MAP reduces bacterial growth and oxidation, which are major culprits of food spoilage. Examples of MAP include:
- Snack Foods: Nitrogen cushions fragile items like potato chips during transport while keeping them crisp.
- Fresh Produce: Nitrogen slows the ripening process, keeping fruits and vegetables fresher for longer.
- Meats and Cheese: Low oxygen levels prevent discolouration and maintain flavour.
Inerting and Purging
Oxygen is the enemy of many food products, whether during storage or transportation. Nitrogen purging replaces oxygen with nitrogen, creating an inert atmosphere that halts oxidation. This process is vital for preventing the rancidity of oils, discolouration of sensitive foods, and spoilage caused by aerobic bacteria.
Beverage Preservation
Nitrogen isn’t just for solids—beverages benefit too. Many manufacturers use nitrogen to maintain carbonation levels, prevent oxidation, and ensure beverages like craft beers and fruit juices retain their quality and taste.
Challenges of Traditional Nitrogen Supply
Relying on traditional nitrogen supply methods—such as cylinders or bulk liquid nitrogen delivery—may seem straightforward but comes with hidden challenges:
High Recurring Costs
Purchasing nitrogen through traditional supply methods requires ongoing expenses, including cylinder rentals, delivery fees, and storage costs. For many businesses, these recurring costs can significantly eat into profit margins.
Supply Chain Dependence
Depending on external suppliers introduces logistical risks, such as supply delays or disruptions. Storing large quantities of nitrogen to mitigate these issues requires space and adds further costs. A sudden disruption in supply can lead to production downtime and missed deadlines.
Wastage and Inefficiency
Nitrogen delivered as liquid or in cylinders is often subject to evaporation loss or leftover gas in containers that can’t be used. Overestimating supply needs can result in wasted nitrogen, while underestimating can hamper operations, leading to inefficiency and higher costs.
Advantages of Onsite Nitrogen Generation
Onsite nitrogen generators provide an innovative, cost-effective solution to eliminate the inefficiencies and logistical headaches of traditional nitrogen supply. Here’s how they stand out:
Cost Savings
One of the biggest advantages of onsite nitrogen generators is their ability to lower nitrogen costs. By producing nitrogen onsite, businesses eliminate rental fees, delivery charges, and the costs associated with nitrogen waste. Over time, the one-time investment in a nitrogen generator can produce significant savings.
Consistent, On-Demand Supply
Onsite generators allow you to produce nitrogen whenever you need it, ensuring a reliable supply that eliminates the risks of production delays. Additionally, they allow for customizable purity levels to match various food packaging applications, such as 99% purity for snack foods and 99.9% purity for beverage preservation.
Sustainability Benefits
Onsite nitrogen generators for the food and beverage industry contribute to a greener supply chain by reducing carbon emissions from transportation. They also help businesses establish eco-friendly practices, which appeal to modern consumers increasingly concerned about sustainability.
ROI Analysis: Transitioning to Onsite Nitrogen Generators in Food Packaging
Investing in an onsite nitrogen generator may seem daunting due to the higher upfront cost. However, when considering long-term financial and operational advantages, the return on investment (ROI) is hard to ignore.
Cost Comparison
Switching to onsite generation eliminates delivery charges, cylinder rentals, and nitrogen waste—resulting in average monthly savings that can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars, depending on your nitrogen usage.
Payback Period
Most businesses recover their initial investment in 6–24 months. Once the payback period ends, companies continue saving year after year, significantly boosting long-term profitability.
Long-Term Financial Impact
Over several years, the cumulative savings from reduced nitrogen purchasing costs, improved efficiency, and lower carbon footprint make onsite nitrogen generators a cost-effective nitrogen supply solution.
AGT’s Case Study in Food Packaging
How Johnvince Foods Saved Millions and Boosted Product Quality with Onsite Nitrogen Generation
One standout case is Johnvince Foods, a leading food packaging company. By transitioning to an onsite nitrogen generating system by Advanced Gas Technologies (AGT), they resolved issues with high operational costs and supplier dependence. The outcome? Johnvince Foods reduced costs, enhanced product quality, and saved millions annually. Their example illustrates the immense potential of onsite nitrogen systems for food packaging companies.
Partner with Advanced Gas Technologies for Onsite Nitrogen Generators
When it comes to modern nitrogen solutions, AGT sets the standard. We offer state-of-the-art onsite nitrogen generators tailored to meet the specific needs of food packaging companies. From installation to ongoing support, partnering with AGT ensures your business stays competitive, efficient, and sustainable.
Transform Your Food Packaging with Onsite Nitrogen Generators
Onsite nitrogen generators represent the future of cost-efficient and sustainable food packaging solutions. By eliminating recurring costs, ensuring a consistent supply, and reducing your environmental impact, making the switch is a smart decision for any forward-thinking food packaging business.
Contact Advanced Gas Technologies today to explore how onsite nitrogen generation can improve your bottom line and future-proof your operations.