Chilean pharmaceutical firm Laboratorio Sanderson is crediting Atlas Copco equipment as the driving force behind reduced costs and improved efficiency at its Fresnius Kabi plant.
The plant recently installed new nitrogen generation plant, using an Atlas Copco' ZT 18 IMD oil-free compressor and its NGP 92 nitrogen generator.
Marcela Cantillana, assistant manager for validations at Fresnius Kabi, explains that previously, the plant purchased liquid nitrogen, deliveries being in cryogenic tanks.
However, by providing nitrogen at 95—99.999%, the new plant not only guarantees meeting the pharmaceutical industry's stringent purity requirements, but has also removed its dependence on external sources.
"Gaining independence from external suppliers is a major benefit," comments Cantillana. "Since the installation of the NGP 92 we do not have to rely on another organisation to ensure a constant and adequate supply."
That eliminates the risk of production breakdowns and has resulted in lower operating expense, there being no additional costs around order processing, refills and delivery charges.
Atlas Copco's NGP nitrogen generation system is based on PSA (pressure swing absorption) technology and uses carbon molecular sieves to separate oxygen from nitrogen.
"We have been using Atlas Copco's compressors for over 10 years to deliver both oil-free and oil-injected compressed air," comments Cantillana.
"These compressors have always met our expectations and we feel that the new nitrogen generator is a perfect complement to our activities."
