2022 is nearly over, 2023 is nearly here. HPS have had a great year and we’re really looking forward to seeing what 2023 brings. To round off 2022, we’ve collected this year’s favourite blog posts. Have a read and we’ll see you in the New Year!
10: How to reduce clean-in-place (CIP) and downtime in liquid processing
This was our 10th most popular blog post in 2022. It looks at how companies can reduce the downtime associated with CIP technology by implementing pigging technology.
Clean-in-place (CIP) technology is advantageous for companies. With CIP technology bacteria, chemicals, and biological residues can be removed without having to remove or dismantle the system.
This blog article looks at how manufacturers can reduce the amount of time they spend on CIP by commissioning an HPS pigging system. By reducing the amount of product in the line before CIP begins, the manufacturer will be able to reduce the amount of product that CIP technology must clear from the lines and begin production again faster.
9: How paint manufacturers can overcome raw material price hikes in 2021
The raw materials associated with paint manufacture have become increasingly expensive.
Here we consider the factors that influenced the price hikes of 2021, such as strong demand for materials, the sharp rise in oil prices (an increase of 58%), the shortage of containers and the associated rising costs of freight, and the additional non-tariff costs associated with the new UK customs arrangements with the EU.
Paint manufacturers have turned to increasing efficiency, optimising processes, alternative sourcing, and implementing cost reduction strategies to combat the still growing cost of paint production.
8: Beer Industry: Environmental Concerns and Regulations
A firm favourite, this article has been on our top ten lists since 2018.
The beer industry has been impacted by climate change and the decreasing availability of water and crops. The beer industry’s heavy reliance on water for production and cleaning mean that being able to conserve water is of great importance.
Additionally, breweries are now subject to greater regulations, such as having to comply with the Food Safety Modernisation Act (FSDM) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).
An HPS pigging system allows beer manufacturers to conserve greater quantities of water and eliminate the need for flushing throughout most of the brewing process.
7: How to prevent aeration during liquid processing
Ranking at number 5 in our 2019 round-up, this article has slipped two positions. It’s still an important article to read, especially if you work with liquid products that can foam during production or must not encounter air during processing.
Products that can’t encounter air during manufacturing pose a big risk to manufacturers if they do become aerated. Aeration can cause manufacturing to slow or stop, causing delays, and in severe cases the product may need to be discarded completely.
Fortunately for manufacturers, HPS have developed a double-pig pigging system that prevents aeration, causing less delays, stoppages, and waste.
6: Improving sustainability in the alcoholic beverages industry
In 2019 the alcoholic beverages industry was worth $512.2 billion. Researchers were predicting a 7% CAGR from 2021, with the
industry reaching $647.7 billion by 2023. This predicted trend was thrown off course by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sustainability remains at the forefront of the alcoholic beverages industry. It is embedded in corporate social responsibility ethics, and consumers are increasingly looking to buy products that are produced sustainably.
That’s why liquid product recovery (pigging) should be considered as an upgrade to current systems. And not only do they improve sustainability, but they also create significant financial savings!
5: How to clean a chocolate transfer pipe using product recovery (“pigging”)
The proper cleaning and maintenance of tanks and pipes is essential within the chocolate industry for ensuring product quality and maintaining company reputation.
Pigging is a time-saving and hygienic way to recover product. Pigging reduces the use of oil and butter in cleaning and circumvents the need for manufacturers to dismantle the tanks and pipework for cleaning. Additionally, the product that is pigged is perfectly usable, and can be sent on for further processing or packaged.
The HPS pig is made of FDA approved food-grade silicone polymer, making it a sanitary method of recovering product without having to allow the chocolate to solidify. The HPS pigging system can also be water jacketed, making it compatible with most manufacturing systems.
4: Sustainability challenges facing the cosmetics and personal care industry
Our most popular post in 2019, this article is still a high ranker in this year’s most popular blogs! Given the steady growth of the industry as well as the rise in consumer interest in environmentally friendly and chemical free products, its no surprise that manufacturers want to know how they can increase their sustainable practices.
The beauty industry is facing some challenges. The primary challenge is ‘greenwashing’ by companies that use the lack of regulation on marketing in the beauty industry to mislead consumers.
To legitimately increase sustainability, manufacturers should consider an HPS pigging system. It reduces water usage, product wastage, and chemical use in cleaning.
Read the blog to find out more about how your company can encourage sustainable practices in the beauty industry.
3: Facing challenges in the chocolate and confectionary industry
Another steady ranking post, this article has been in third place since 2019!
With inflation rising the cost of valuable raw materials such as cocoa butter, sugar, almonds, and vanilla have been increasing. From experience the chocolate industry knows that if the sale price of chocolate rises then shoppers will stop buying and demand will shrink. One way that manufacturers are combatting the cost of raw materials is by shrinking the size of chocolate bars. The Sugar Tax has also influenced the size at which manufacturers produce chocolate bars.
Pigging allows for up to 99.5% of product to be recovered from full pipelines, and because the HPS pig is sanitary this product can be further processed or packaged.
2: COVID-19 – the demand for hand sanitiser and increasing production capacity by pigging
The second most popular post of 2022 and it’s easy to know why. Although the world has returned to business, COVID-19 is still a very 
real thing. One of the many effects of COVID-19 was the rapid increase in demand for hand sanitiser.
At one point the demand for hand sanitiser rose by 1400%, and although demand has decreased the hand sanitiser industry is still predicted to surpass $3.6 billion by 2026. Many companies, including spirits manufacturers Bacardi and Radico Khaitan, began producing hand sanitiser to fulfil demand.
HPS pigging systems allow companies to recover up to 99.5% of product left in full pipelines and by utilising pigging systems companies were able to reach peak production capabilities.
And the number one blog post for 2022 is…
1: Raw price inflation still a problem for paint and coatings manufacturers in 2022
Paint and coatings manufacturers are faced with rising prices of raw materials: solvents, resins, and oil are all getting more expensive.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine, the upcoming recession, and the after-effects of COVID-19 are all contributing to the rising costs of raw materials for the paint and coatings industry. Oil prices have increased by approximately 70%, the highest they’ve been since 2014. Solvents are about 78% higher, although some have doubled and tripled cost per tonne.
With the help of an HPS pigging system, manufacturers will be able to offset the increasing costs of raw materials purchases by recovering usable product. Read the blog to find out more about the challenges faced by paints and coatings manufacturers.