An innovative engineering company that is designing game-changing industrial equipment for food manufacturing plants is set to embark on an ambitious UK and European growth drive after being awarded full patent approval for one of its products. FEG Global’s ‘LGC Scrubber’ is changing the way food manufacturing and processing companies operate by removing odour and oil emissions from frying, cooking, coating or seasoning processes - an issue which may otherwise cost firms millions of pounds in legal claims if environmental health standards are not met, and complaints are upheld.

Unwanted odours and mist particles are a huge consideration for global food manufacturers, especially those located close to residential communities and/or producing high volumes of products 24/7. Furthermore, residues left in filtration equipment and ductwork from food manufacturing processes can also increase the risk of fire within any factory setting, meaning that higher insurance premiums can also become a significant cost factor.

The LGC Scrubber, a high efficiency, low maintenance, modular design installation, is unique as the patented design includes a combined particulate wet scrubber and gas scrubber that removes both oil mist and odour compounds. With highly advanced filtration, mist elimination, recirculation and hygiene features, it can also help firms contribute to the circular economy and open up potential new revenue streams if reusing or selling on the waste material as biofuel once processed.

The UK company, which has offices in the Northeast, Midlands, Glasgow and Belgium, is now planning to drive sales of the LGC Scrubber across Europe, in particular targeting companies that have high temperature frying and cooking requirements from seafood, meat and poultry production to ready meals and snack foods.

Chris Williams, Managing Director of FEG Global, explained, “Being awarded the design patent is a huge step forward for FEG Global, especially in relation to supporting food manufacturers, both here in the UK and in Europe by delivering a fit-for-purpose, market-focused solution. We can help solve a significant problem for the industry, regardless of what end-product they are making, as well as help reduce any health and safety risk, with one modular install. “

Often companies think of odour detection and oil emissions as an afterthought and only when it becomes problematic such as when a complaint is made, or the Environment Agency is engaged.

For manufacturers omitting odours from food production plants, this scenario is becoming more and more common as the need for new housing means that many new developments are built closer to industrial areas. “We’re therefore working with multiple companies who are now looking to install the LGC Scrubber within their existing factory layout, and because of its modular design, we can create a bespoke solution that sits comfortably within any production facility. “We’re delighted to be awarded patent approval and as a UK business, this could see huge growth for the company both domestically as well as overseas.” Whitby Seafoods, a major UK food manufacturer and producer of world-famous Whitby Scampi, has benefitted from the LGC Scrubber having installed the equipment at its main production facility.

Operating in a high temperature environment and with more than 3,000 tonnes of scampi going through the site’s fryers each year, the need for equipment that removes all odours as well as integrates within an existing factory setting, was crucial. Chris Dickinson, Head of Engineering at Whitby Seafoods, added, “As a responsible local employer and a high-volume food manufacturer operating seven days a week with production five days a week, it is paramount for our site to meet (and exceed) the required industry standards especially in relation to our environmental responsibilities. “We have worked closely with FEG Global to commission, design and install the LGC Scrubber to manage and eliminate high levels of oils and odour coming from our production lines. This has been a seamless process, and we now have a singular unit that does exactly that, ensuring we are a good neighbour too.”

FEG Global is a specialist design engineering company delivering cross-sector CAPEX project management and environmental technology services. Founded in 2004, the firm operates worldwide across the food and beverage, pharmaceutical, paper and pulp, nuclear, chemical and automotive sectors.

https://www.feg-global.com/industrial-designs-for-euro-growth-as-north-east-firm-given-patent-approval/