Food & Drink Process & Packaging Issue 13 2017 | Page 15

When clean isn’t clean enough production. The new anti-microbial conduit is manufactured from a thermoplastic that contains inert silver ions. These bind to bacteria, stopping cell function and preventing their reproduction. This kills the bacteria cells and helps to eliminate the risk of contamination. Recognising the importance of stringent health and safety standards in the food and beverage industry, ABB Adaptaflex has launched a new cable conduit system that integrates anti-microbial protection. Cable conduits in food processing plants can become a home for bacteria, representing a potential threat to both revenue and reputation. To combat this, manufacturers control levels of bugs such as salmonella, e-coli and listeria through regular wash- down to cleanse equipment and control bacteria populations. Some facilities experience wash-down operations up to five times per day. However, the heat, moisture and chemical exposure experienced during wash-down cleaning can lead to damage and water ingress into cable conduits. In turn, this can lead to the need for costly and time consuming replacement of wiring. Recognising an opportunity to help food and beverage manufacturers protect themselves against bugs and damage to wiring, ABB Adaptaflex worked in partnership with BioCote to develop a new type of cable conduit that protects both cable and food Meirion Buck, Senior Design and Technical Manager at ABB Adaptaflex said, “The science behind the anti-microbial cable conduit is fascinating. Testing shows that the Adaptaflex conduit decreases bacteria by up to 80 per cent in 15 minutes and 99 per cent in two hours, reducing risk of contamination.” www.adaptaflex.com — Enhancing cable protection Adaptaflex conduit system for food & beverage Given the volume of mechanical process equipment involved in the food and beverage industry combined with the shift towards increased automation through conveyor and feeder systems, there are often thousands of power and data cables that need to be protected. Adaptaflex Anti-microbial food and beverage conduit systems, are designed to protect complex processing equipment with sensitive electrical wiring systems, controls and automation. Tel. +44 (0) 333 999 9900 | www.adaptaflex.com FDPP - www.fdpp.co.uk 15