October 23, 2020

Tönnies Group implements high level care in meat production facility

Tönnies Group in Germany has made an agreement with Camfil for the implementation of a multi-level high care, high hygiene air filtration concept for its meat production facility.

The goal was to raise the hygiene standards in the sensitive food area and improved indoor air quality in the facility. Air is an invisible ingredient in food production. Better air quality can help the facility achieve operational excellence, great product quality and good employee health.

The lack of standards and limitations in the designs of the meat production facility can lead to poor airflow along with insufficient positive pressure in the indoor environment.

Tönnies Group used convection coolers to achieve the temperatures of between 6°C to 10°C required for meat processing. They cool the circulating air and return it to the room for re-use. Scientific studies have shown that airborne pathogens such as viruses can spread through air recirculation. Germs packed in aerosols that are 80 to 160 nanometres in size can remain active in the air for three hours. These convection coolers can distribute the pathogens in the room and significantly increase the risk of infection for employees.

Due to the global pandemic, Tönnies Group concluded that it wants to protect its facility and employees from harmful pathogens in the air. It aimed to provide healthy, sustainable food with responsible production that meets high standards.

The new multi-level hygiene solution consists of high-efficiency HEPA air cleaners, certified with EN1822:2019 from Camfil. These air cleaners (CC 6000 and CC 2000) with ProSafe HEPA H14 filters clean the indoor air from the circulating aerosols or viruses and provide clean filtered air to the cooling system for circulation. The systems are positioned at an elevated position so that the air cleaners get a good flow of air through the production rooms and, at the same time, do not interfere with operations.

Initial measurements carried out after the installation showed more than 50% significant particle reduction.

Occupational hygienists and physicians from the Institute for Hygiene and Public Health at the University of Bonn tested the air treatment for several days using cold smoke and particle measurements and saw improved air quality.

"Hygiene is particularly important in the meat production facility to purify the indoor air using appropriate high-performance filters to protect employees, processes and products. The CC 6000 and CC 2000 air cleaners, equipped with ProSafe HEPA H14 filters, ensure guaranteed performance using high-quality materials for maximum process reliability," said Dirk Leinweber, director of sales and marketing for Camfil.

 - Cleanroom Technology