Everything about solids handling

“Gpi De Gouwe is not only a highly innovative company to work with, but they also help you select the perfect process equipment.” Protix is a leading insect breeder and producer of quality products such as ProteinX, LipidX and PureeX. These products are created using the very latest technology and provide animal feed with a unique protein as its key ingredient. The company’s by-products can also be put back into the food chain by processing dietary fibre and insect skin and faeces into a sustainable fertiliser named Flytilizer. Chief Operating Officer at Protix Bas Jürgens was closely involved in the purchase of a Kelstream Scraped Surface Heat Exchanger. This hi-tech machine is now a vital part of the production process of Pureex, a fresh and hypoallergenic ingredient used as a basis for wet pet food. “GPI came to our attention during the pilot of a process line at our premises in Dongen. The communication between our two companies was so efficient, effective and enjoyable that after the pilot, we hired GPI to supply us with a Scraped Surface Heat Exchanger for the Bergen op Zoom premises,” he explains. Collaboration “The communication, feedback and customer service with GPI De Gouwe was extremely high quality and the Kelstream meets every single expectation,” says Bas. The Scraped Surface Heat Exchanger is part of the Pureex production line and is used for the product’s second cooling stage. The Kelstream also ensures the uniformity of the product and prevents blockages during the cooling stage. “Upon delivery, it was very simple to put the heat exchanger into operation using the documentation provided. In addition, GPI is always on stand-by in case any problems occur,” says Bas. “During the purchase process of the Kelstream F700 model, GPI De Gouwe’s superb knowledge and expertise of the products they make greatly impressed us. Furthermore, the sustainability of this Scraped Surface Heat Exchanger perfectly ties in with Protix’s values.” Due to current legislation, most Protix insect products are only authorised for use in animal feed, although in the future, Protix hopes to serve the entire food chain -both humans and animals- with their unique products. Protix is also aiming to increase its number of global locations and become the undisputed market leader in the global insect industry. What makes the Kelstream unique The Kelstream Scraped Surface Heat Exchanger has two heated or cooled surfaces that are constantly scraped. This allows a highly heated surface to be achieved within a small surface area. Furthermore, the Kelstream is equipped with a hygienic lip seal that does not require barrier fluid in order to function. If necessary, the seal can be rinsed from the inside and it is more cost-effective as only the seal’s wear parts need to be replaced. About the client Protix is a dynamic business with a clear ambition that was born during a diving adventure in Mozambique. Since its founding in 2009 by Kees Aarts and Tarique Arsiwalla, Protix has flourished into one of the leading producers of insect ingredients around today. In 2020, Protix won the Dutch Innovation Award, crowning them as the most innovative business in the Netherlands. Their main products and cutting-edge concepts such as OERei and Friendly Fish are helping build a system in which all animal-based food is sourced from animals fed with ingredients that restore the balance between people and nature.

Stainless steel tank construction specialist Gpi Group has set up a new business unit under the name Gpi Pharma. This business unit encompasses all of Gpi’s experts in the design and production of pharmaceutical tanks, enabling the company to provide customers with faster, better service. The unit was set up in response to growing demand from the pharmaceutical industry, prompted in part by the Covid-19 pandemic. The Gpi Group has 25 years’ experience in pharma and is au fait with all design and production requirements. Whether it involves process tanks, mobile reactors or WFI tanks, Gpi engineers are fully familiar with the rules and regulations, such as ASME BPE and the EU’s Pressure Equipment Directive (PED). Through Gpi Pharma, the Group will seek to home in on the unique needs and requirements of pharma companies in a swifter, more targeted way. Gpi Pharma is founded on a combination of knowledge, expertise and experience. This combination will serve as the basis for the new business unit to provide its customers with optimum service and products of the highest quality. Fred Boere, CEO of the Gpi Group: ‘In part due to the Covid situation, we are seeing growing demand for high-quality pharmaceutical tanks and are expecting this trend to persist. Gpi Pharma is geared towards homing in on this demand by pooling our seasoned specialists in this area of expertise and providing customers with better service with a select team who know the pharma industry inside out’. Customers and prospects can find out more about the options on the website. Sales Manager Joost Nieuwlaat is responsible for sales. ‘I joined Gpi in January 2020 and have always been impressed by my colleagues’ expertise and dedication. Covid-19 is forcing us to act and supply swiftly. Our many years of experience, our considerable production capacity and our international network of suppliers mean that we will always be in a position to fulfil the shortest delivery times currently being requested. Without any detrimental effect on the requisite quality.’ The pharmaceutical industry has been increasingly popular with investors over the past few years and substantial investments are being made everywhere. The coronavirus pandemic has accelerated this development, particularly when it comes to vaccine production. Unsurprisingly, then, Gpi Pharma sees considerable potential for growth and intends to invest further in the business unit over the next few years. In the last 25 years, Gpi has built up a solid reputation as a successful international tank manufacturer. The company singles itself out by its constant innovations in the field of technology, processes and cooperation. The Gpi Group consists of four companies specialising in the construction of tanks and pressure vessels: Gpi Tanks, Gpi Tanks GmbH, Gpi Tanks Poland and Gpi Tanks XL. In addition, Gpi De Gouwe, specialist in processing equipment, and BMN (Beitserij Midden Nederland), expert in pickling, grinding and polishing, are also part of the group. Globally, the Gpi Group serves customers in the food-processing, chemical, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries. Gpi Group has a total workforce of around 200 employees.

Stainless steel tank construction specialist Gpi Group has set up a new business unit under the name Gpi Pharma. This business unit encompasses all of Gpi’s experts in the design and production of pharmaceutical tanks, enabling the company to provide customers with faster, better service. The unit was set up in response to growing demand from the pharmaceutical industry, prompted in part by the Covid-19 pandemic. The Gpi Group has 25 years’ experience in pharma and is au fait with all design and production requirements. Whether it involves process tanks, mobile reactors or WFI tanks, Gpi engineers are fully familiar with the rules and regulations, such as ASME BPE and the EU’s Pressure Equipment Directive (PED). Through Gpi Pharma, the Group will seek to home in on the unique needs and requirements of pharma companies in a swifter, more targeted way. Gpi Pharma is founded on a combination of knowledge, expertise and experience. This combination will serve as the basis for the new business unit to provide its customers with optimum service and products of the highest quality. Fred Boere, CEO of the Gpi Group: ‘In part due to the Covid situation, we are seeing growing demand for high-quality pharmaceutical tanks and are expecting this trend to persist. Gpi Pharma is geared towards homing in on this demand by pooling our seasoned specialists in this area of expertise and providing customers with better service with a select team who know the pharma industry inside out’. Customers and prospects can find out more about the options on the website. Sales Manager Joost Nieuwlaat is responsible for sales. ‘I joined Gpi in January 2020 and have always been impressed by my colleagues’ expertise and dedication. Covid-19 is forcing us to act and supply swiftly. Our many years of experience, our considerable production capacity and our international network of suppliers mean that we will always be in a position to fulfil the shortest delivery times currently being requested. Without any detrimental effect on the requisite quality.’ The pharmaceutical industry has been increasingly popular with investors over the past few years and substantial investments are being made everywhere. The coronavirus pandemic has accelerated this development, particularly when it comes to vaccine production. Unsurprisingly, then, Gpi Pharma sees considerable potential for growth and intends to invest further in the business unit over the next few years. In the last 25 years, Gpi has built up a solid reputation as a successful international tank manufacturer. The company singles itself out by its constant innovations in the field of technology, processes and cooperation. The Gpi Group consists of four companies specialising in the construction of tanks and pressure vessels: Gpi Tanks, Gpi Tanks GmbH, Gpi Tanks Poland and Gpi Tanks XL. In addition, Gpi De Gouwe, specialist in processing equipment, and BMN (Beitserij Midden Nederland), expert in pickling, grinding and polishing, are also part of the group. Globally, the Gpi Group serves customers in the food-processing, chemical, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries. Gpi Group has a total workforce of around 200 employees.

For over six years, the Neva system from Indus Integrated Bulk Logistics has been playing an important role in the transport and packaging of these lettuce seeds at Enza Zaden. Enza Zaden: a notable business in the world of vegetable seed breeding. The Dutch company from Enkhuizen introduces many new vegetable varieties every year. Seeds are developed all over the world: from the Netherlands to Australia, on almost all continents. The production and sales of seeds, including many varieties of lettuces, occurs worldwide as well. Team leader of processing, Pieter Pereboom, explains: ,,The lettuce customers buy at the grocery store, have been on quite a journey in order to get there. Enza Zaden breeds seeds in several climate zones. Fruit crops such as peppers, cucumbers, pumpkins and tomatoes are grown in greenhouses, other vegetable crops such as lettuces are grown in fields. Part of the production takes place here in the Netherlands, but we also produce in California, Australia and Malaysia, among other countries. The most vegetable seeds Enza Zaden breeds and produces, are fairly easy to prepare for sale. ,,The seeds are firm and strong enough to be sown directly by the growers who purchase our seeds. The exception to this is our lettuce and endive seeds. These seeds are so small and light-weighed; they easily blow away when sown. To prevent this from happening, lettuce seeds are being pelleted. The pelleting process means the seed is covered with a small layer of clay, making it easier to accurately sow them.’’ Because pelleted seeds are vulnerable due to their extra layer, Enza Zaden prioritizes a steady and smooth (internal) transport. Pereboom: ,,We used to receive the pelleted seeds in cases of twenty kilos each. Our packaging system consists of a weighing machine accessible through stairs, which meant our employees had to walk up these stairs several times a day to empty the cases. We have been following this packaging process for years, until Incotec, the company that pellets our seeds, told us about the big bag handling system of Indus Bulk Logistics.” Along with some colleagues, Pereboom visited Incotec to observe the use of the Neva handling system at Incotec. The team, as well as the management of Enza Zaden, were quickly convinced. The time savings and the improvement of safety during the packaging process were among the decisive factors. ,,After purchasing various Neva's, we built a special frame above the weighing machines making a Neva of 120x120cm fit exactly in this frame. From that moment on, more than twenty times the volume of lettuce seeds could be stored and transported in one big bag, compared to one case before. By using the slide at the bottom of the Neva, the discharge spout of the big bag in the lower deck can be opened and closed. Due to the pallet construction, a Neva can easily be transported with a forklift. Additionally, several Neva’s can be stacked on top of each other or placed in racks: going up and down the stairs with heavy cases is now a thing of the past.” With the arrival of Neva, the time was right to create suitable big bags for pelleted lettuce seeds. A local sailmaker was willing to fabricate special big bags made to measure, entirety waterproof and antistatic. ,,We visited the sailmaker and brought a Neva along with us, to show them how we would use the big bags. When choosing the material for the big bags, the importance of protecting the pelleted seeds was take into extra consideration’’, says Pereboom. In addition to the advantages mentioned above, the savings in space when transporting seeds to and from Incotec were a large part of deciding to purchase Neva’s. ,,Incotec gave me some great advice at the time: shorten the four tubes of the Neva in such a way that it is possible to stack two on top of each other in a truck. Incotec now only needs to fill a single unit, instead of multiple cases: a huge advantage for them as well as for us.” After six years, hundreds of Neva's can be found at Enza Zaden. ,,They are used extensively and all year around; fifteen times a day in our packaging process alone. There was a short period of adjustment for my team when we introduced the new system, but they were quickly convinced and would not want to go back to the old process. The use of the Neva system increases safety and convenience, and it saves time: it has proven itself excellently and has been more than worth the investment.’’