Bulk Distributor Jul/Aug 18 | Page 3

July/August 2018 3 Mauser upgrades German IBC ĨĂĐŝůŝƟĞƐ Schütz claims breakthrough for wine IBC Continued from p1 It is here that the Wine-Store-Age IBC can demonstrate its qualities, says Schütz. The container is part of the Schütz Foodcert line and is certified according to the highest industrial food standard, FSSC 22000. It has an EVOH barrier that prevents the permeation in and out of oxygen, nitrogen and other gases, allowing the wine to mature under controlled exposure to oxygen. All of these factors were demonstrated in the first comprehensive study in Australia. Schütz firmly believes that the demand for IBCs in the wine industry will continue to increase. For smaller producers in particular, the certified containers are a cost-effective and space-saving alternative for storing, maturing and transporting wines. This applies in particular to smaller vintages with lower yields, such as those recorded in 2017. In order to popularise the use of IBCs for the maturation of wine in Europe as well as Australia, Schütz started a co-operation with the Institute of Oenology at Geisenheim in 2017. The aim of the series of experiments carried out was to test plastic containers (ie, IBCs) with an integrated oxygen barrier in comparison to containers made of inert materials such as stainless steel. The study compared the development of a test wine in the FSSC-certified Ecobulk Wine-Store-Age with an EVOH barrier with that in a stainless steel container over a period of three and six months, respectively. The results of the study showed that, compared with stainless steel tanks, there was no perceptible oxygen permeation into the IBC from the outside through the container walls. In the test a typical, good quality wine of this variety matured in the container, which passed the sensory tests of a board of experts. Due to the design of the plastic IBC, there was a slight increase in oxygen permeation into the wine because of the small volume of air that remained in the shoulders after filling. This led to a slightly higher reduction of the B ULK D ISTRIBUTOR Industrial Packaging to-transport container is suitable for the maturation and flexible short- and medium-term storage of finished wines. It is also an efficient container for commercial selling and serving, eg, at large events.” Other factors in favour of using the containers include the small footprint and the stackability, which allows optimum use to be made of the often limited cellar, storage and transport space. Two other major advantages were also confirmed in the test: almost complete residual emptying and easy cleaning. For microbiological reasons, residual amounts in the container must always be avoided. The Schütz IBC can be emptied easily via an outlet valve. Residues, such as yeasts, can be rinsed out with ease. www.schuetz.net www.mausergroup.com Left; Thanks to the Security-Layer Technology, where up to six functional layers can be extruded at once, fine wines are optimally protected, says Schütz free and total sulphuric acid content in the first 2.5 months compared to the wine in the stainless steel tank. However, as maturation progressed, the EVOH barrier effectively prevented further permeation of oxygen, so that the measured values remained stable in the Ecobulk during the following 3.5 months of testing Professor Jung, who is deputy head of the Institute for Oenology at Geisenheim, summarised the test series: “The results obtained in the experiment open up application possibilities for IBC containers in oenological practice. This easy- M auser Group is continuing to invest in its IBC operations in Germany. The Erkelenz production campus, which combines manufacturing and reconditioning of composite IBCs, installed a new state-of-the-art blow moulder and increased process reliability by automating material workflows. Considering the growing demand from various end-user markets in Germany and the nearby Benelux region, Mauser opted to update its production equipment to increase flexibility in customer service and enhance supply reliability. The Erkelenz plant, 40km west of Dusseldorf, is well-located to deliver to various chemical industry clusters and transport hubs. The latest generation of IBC blow moulders from in-house machinery builder Mauser Mac hinery enables the operations team to produce all current IBC types offered by the group. The installation was flawless, the firm says, and provided customers a seamless transition as well as ‘business as usual’. Above: The EVOH barrier prevents the permeation of gases, ensuring controlled exposure to oxygen