Sustainable production: Sant Aniol chooses EBS 8 KL Ergon stretch-blow moulder – FoodBev Media

Report on Sant Aniol’s Commitment to Sustainable Development Goals through Technological Innovation

Introduction: A Corporate Strategy Aligned with Global Sustainability

Since its establishment in 1993, Sant Aniol has integrated sustainability into its core operational philosophy, demonstrating a long-standing commitment to environmental preservation that aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The company’s strategy focuses on responsible production and resource management, directly contributing to several key SDGs, including SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

The company sources its water from a spring located over 120 metres deep within the Garrotxa Natural Park, a region characterized by volcanic rock formations that ensure the water’s purity. This respect for the natural environment forms the basis of its contributions to SDG 15 by safeguarding terrestrial ecosystems.

Technological Upgrades for Sustainable Industrialization (SDG 9)

Adoption of Advanced Manufacturing Solutions

In a significant step towards enhancing its sustainable manufacturing capabilities, Sant Aniol has invested in advanced technology from SMI. The company replaced a 15-year-old machine with the new EBS 8 KL Ergon stretch-blow moulder. This investment in modern, efficient infrastructure is a clear example of progress toward SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), which encourages the adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes.

The new system is utilized for the company’s PET bottling line, producing containers of 0.33, 0.5, and 1.5 litres whose design is inspired by the volcanic geology of their water source.

Enhancing Energy Efficiency and Climate Action (SDG 7 & SDG 13)

Direct Contributions to Affordable and Clean Energy

The EBS 8 KL Ergon moulder incorporates several innovations designed to minimize energy consumption, directly supporting SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and subsequently SDG 13 (Climate Action) by reducing the carbon footprint of production.

1. ReduxAir System for Reduced Air Pressure

   The system is equipped with ‘ReduxAir’ technology, which allows for the production of rPET/PET containers using significantly lower air pressures. This reduces the operational load on high-pressure air compressors, leading to substantial electricity savings.

   • 0.33-litre containers: Produced at 15 bar air pressure.
   • 0.5-litre containers: Produced at 17 bar air pressure.
   • 1.5-litre containers: Produced at 25 bar air pressure.

2. AirMaster Air Recovery System

   A high-efficiency, two-stage air recovery system captures and reuses air from the blowing circuit. This innovation drastically cuts compressed air consumption, further reducing energy demand and reinforcing the principles of SDG 12 by promoting resource efficiency.

3. Optimized Preform Heating Oven

   The moulder features a compact heating oven with an aluminium diffuser for precise temperature control. The use of energy-efficient IR lamps and heat-reflecting ceramic panels minimizes energy waste during the preform heating stage, contributing directly to SDG 7.

Digitalization for Responsible Production (SDG 12)

Data-Driven Efficiency and Resource Management

Sant Aniol’s new technology leverages digitalization to achieve greater operational efficiency and responsible production patterns, in line with SDG 12.

• Energy Monitoring: The machine includes an energy counter that provides real-time data on electricity consumption, voltage, and power. This allows for precise tracking and optimization of energy use.
• SmyIoT Platform Integration: The system connects to the SmyIoT platform, an interactive database that collects and analyzes operational parameters across the entire production line. This data-driven approach enables the company to:
  • Improve overall operational efficiency.
  • Enhance energy performance.
  • Schedule predictive maintenance to avoid downtime and waste.
  • Reduce total production costs through optimized resource management.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

• The article extensively discusses the company’s efforts to reduce energy consumption and improve energy efficiency. The adoption of the EBS 8 KL Ergon stretch-blow moulder with its ReduxAir system is specifically aimed at “significantly lowering electricity consumption.” This directly aligns with the goal of ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

• The article highlights Sant Aniol’s investment in “next-generation technologies” to enhance its production processes. The installation of the new EBS 8 KL Ergon model and the SmyIoT platform represents an upgrade to their industrial infrastructure, making it more sustainable and efficient. This commitment to technological advancement for sustainability connects directly to SDG 9.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

• The core theme of the article is Sant Aniol’s commitment to sustainable production. The company’s focus on “sustainability” and safeguarding the environment through “energy efficiency” and reduced resource use (compressed air) demonstrates a clear link to achieving sustainable consumption and production patterns. The use of rPET/PET containers also points towards responsible material use.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

• Target 7.3: By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency.
  • The article’s focus is on maximizing energy efficiency. The new technology, including the ReduxAir system, the compact heating oven with IR lamps, and the AirMaster air recovery system, are all designed to “reduce energy consumption” and “improve operational efficiency and energy performance,” directly contributing to this target.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

• Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes.
  • Sant Aniol’s replacement of a 15-year-old machine with the new EBS 8 KL Ergon model is a clear example of retrofitting an industry for sustainability. The article states the company “relies on next-generation technologies that maximise energy efficiency,” which perfectly aligns with the adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies mentioned in this target.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

• Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
  • The technology described in the article leads to a more efficient use of resources. The AirMaster system ensures a “significant reduction in compressed air consumption,” and the overall design leads to lower electricity use. This demonstrates a move towards the efficient use of natural resources (in this case, energy) in the production process.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Indicators for SDG 7 and SDG 9

• Energy Consumption Data: The article explicitly mentions that the new machine is “equipped with an energy counter with a digital LCD display” that records and displays “electricity consumption, voltage, current and power over a given period.” This provides a direct, quantifiable indicator to measure improvements in energy efficiency (Indicator 7.3.1: Energy intensity measured in terms of primary energy and GDP).
• Air Pressure Levels: The article specifies the lower air pressures required for production (e.g., “0.33-litre containers at 15 bar air pressure”). This is a technical indicator that implies lower energy use from the high-pressure compressor, serving as a proxy measure for energy efficiency gains.

Indicators for SDG 12

• Operational Efficiency Metrics: The SmyIoT platform is described as an “interactive database that remotely collects, verifies, processes and enhances all operating parameters of the plant.” These parameters, while not specified in detail, would serve as indicators for measuring resource efficiency and tracking progress towards sustainable production, aligning with the goal of monitoring the efficient use of natural resources.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Source: foodbev.com