PROBLEM
Water is one of Lion’s most crucial ingredients – whether it’s rain to grow fruit, fresh produce or feed for cows, or as a direct ingredient in its products.
Lion’s processing plant in Smithfield in New South Wales produces a range of fresh and long-life orange juices. Like all juice producers, Lion’s reputation is built around the purity of their product, emphasising the fact that it is healthy and natural.
Water filtration and disinfection is an essential step in juice production because it extends the shelf-life of the product and prevents outbreaks of water-borne pathogens, which can make consumers sick and can place the company at risk of damaging recalls and product liability.
The plant’s ageing water filtration and Granulated Activated Carbon (GAC) de-chlorination plant was nearing the end of its life and had begun to leak, wasting precious water and threatening nearby electrical infrastructure.
Lion knew if the equipment failed, the cost to the business in lost production, damaged infrastructure and potential product spoilage or recall would be unacceptable. It also recognised it could make significant savings long-term by using water more efficiently.
In late 2017, it engaged Waterform Technologies to perform a detailed site audit to make recommendations about the best water saving solutions for its business.
