You might think using nitrogen to preserve food is a little…nutty. But many food and nut packaging manufacturers rely on this clean, inert gas to package, preserve, and store perishable food items. Over the years, more and more food industries have begun relying on nitrogen generation systems for their N2 gas needs.
Why Use Nitrogen Gas for Nut Packaging?
Nuts, in particular, are often packaged with nitrogen to prevent issues such as oxidation and package collapse. Oxidation happens when oxygen reacts with other elements, altering the product and potentially causing spoiling or an undesirable taste. As for packaging collapse, it is exactly what it sounds like.
In case you didn’t already know, proper packaging is essential for protecting the product from damage and plays a key role in marketing and selling it. The way a product is packaged can influence how attracted consumers are to the item. This doesn’t just relate to color schemes and labeling—it also pertains to the package’s overall shape and whether the container appears “full.”
Other Benefits of Nitrogen for Food Packaging
In addition to using nitrogen for food and nut packaging, it also helps remove oxygen, which extends shelf life. Specific packaging applications include bulk packaging, consumer packaging, vacuum packs, fumigation purges, and more. When you buy nuts from the grocery store (stored, not fresh), nitrogen was likely used at some point in the packaging process. If nitrogen had not been used, you would quickly notice because the nuts would probably be spoiled, tasteless, or possess an odd texture or tint.
How to Apply N2 Gas During the Packaging Process
So, how do these facilities acquire the nitrogen gas necessary to properly package and preserve their products? While some facilities opt to buy nitrogen from gas companies, others are taking a more efficient approach by installing a nitrogen generator at the location of their processes.
Unlike being tied down to costly contracts with gas companies, which typically supply N2 gas in high-pressure cylinders, installing an on-site nitrogen generator allows you to draw nitrogen on demand from the air we breathe. This means no accidental run-outs during peak manufacturing times, no longer needing to store cumbersome cylinders, and no more expensive long-term commitments to gas companies. Best of all, facilities that switch to a nitrogen generator can achieve an ROI of up to 90% over bulk liquid nitrogen. And hey, who doesn’t like a healthy bottom line?