Australian meat processor opts for unique Northern Irish sterilising technology

Canberra-based Monbeef, a major processor of beef for global markets, has ordered an innovative sterilising system for knives used in its abattoir. The Australian processor has ordered the Econoliser branded system from Airtech Distribution in Dundonald, near Belfast.

Econoliser uses state-of-the-art sensor and timer technology to enable meat processing plants to reduce both water and energy costs while also improving hygiene.

The innovative sterilising technology, which is already operating in meat plants in Northern Ireland and Great Britain, was developed Robin Adair, Airtech Distribution's managing director, an experienced industrial engineer, to ensure knives used by operatives in meat processing are always fully sterilised.

Mr Adair says: "The order from Monbeef is a tremendous boost for our technology and will help us as we seek to grow sales during 2015. It came from a referral for one of our clients in Northern Ireland to a contact with business links in Australia.

"Monbeef subsequently contacted us to provide equipment for evaluation, which proved successful and led to an order, our first outside the United Kingdom, for the new equipment.

"While we developed the system in 2013, much of last year was devoted to refining the system and developing associated equipment that processors require with guidance from leading meat processors in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. This included the development of a fully electric system. This success in Australia will be extremely important as we step up our international marketing activities."

Airtech's unique sterilising system offers meat processing plants an effective means of controlling water input and energy required to keep the temperature at an optimum level. Companies currently use vast amounts of water and heat in their processing operations.

Typically, knives are kept in a bath of water, with a constant feed of hot water to maintain both the temperature and to keep the water relatively clean.

Airtech's Econoliser system is akin to a temperature controlled shower. The steriliser uses the minimum amount of hot water and reduces water consumption by as much as 95 per cent and therefore offers significant savings in energy usage.

Mr Adair adds: "Swab tests have demonstrated that the new system is cleaner and safer because it virtually eliminates any residual bacteria that can be found in existing sterilisers when water is allowed to sit for lengthy periods. The system features an electric water heater inside the product for abattoirs which don't have a central boiler system for their existing sterilisers.

"Econoliser also enables abattoirs that are struggling to produce enough hot water consistently to turn down the temp of their boilers and just let the water heater built into the Econoliser heat the water up, they get 90+ degree water, each and every time. Doing this means that the water is being heated at the point of use and they only heat the water they use, which has huge energy saving implications."