CASE STUDY | SUSTAINABILITY

Customer : AB InBev Product group : Industrial Hoses and Accessories Market : Food and pharma Application : Metal hose with silicon sleeve

ERIKS DEVELOPS HOSE WITH SILICON SLEEVE AND TRAY-CLAMP COUPLING Sustainable hose satisfies the highest hygienic standards and saves costs

CHALLENGE SOLUTION AB InBev used a Paguag hose with Following intensive research AB InBev formed couplings which are always amor- and ERIKS decided to retain the stainless tised within three months because of ex- steel hose with metal braiding. This is terior cleaning. The hose’s external sleeve because this hose is very flexible and is quickly started to crack and contained also resistant to cleaning agents. The hose bacteria-sensitive scale after cleaning. was fitted with a silicon sleeve. The sleeve Moreover, torsion occurred because the and a tray-clamp coupling to attach the filler heads were not located directly under hose correctly mean that the outside of the kegs. the hose is now also resistant to bacteri- al growth, making it suitable for sanitary AB InBev tried using a metal hose as environments. Moreover, the hose has a alternative, but this was also insufficient. longer life and therefore offers consider- Contamination reoccurred on the outside able cost savings. of the hose; this time because of the metal braiding. ERIKS was engaged to develop a To meet all hygiene regulations it was de- sustainable solution. The briefing included cided to connect two stainless steel hoses various strict guidelines in connection with to the filling machine, one for beer and hygiene standards. The hose should not one for carbon dioxide. CUSTOMER PROFILE get kinks and should be suitable for low AB InBev Nederland is part of the listed temperatures and chemical substances OTHER BENEFITS AB InBev, which has a portfolio of almost such as cleaning products. The hose must ▪▪Cost reduction 300 brands in more than 130 countries. also be fitted with a tray-clamp coupling. ▪▪Hose satisfies hygiene regulations even This makes it the world’s biggest brewery. more In the Netherlands, AB InBev sells strong ▪▪The chosen solution will now be used local and international brands such as on all filling machines. , Hertog Jan, Dommelsch, Beck’s, and Hoegaarden. ERIKS NV_CS0061_2010

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