McCain Foods has introduced a new pulsed electric field (PEF) generator to its Smithton, Tasmania plant. The $1.8 million project uses McCain’s proprietary technology and has reduced the site’s energy and water usage.
The company had previously burned wood to generate steam, which is used in the pre-treatment process for McCain’s products.
The latest upgrade helps to pulse uncut potatoes with an electric field rather than being steamed, and further minimises the amount of oil being absorbed when the potatoes are cooked.
Installing the PEF has resulted in increased efficiency and reduced wastage by reducting water usage at the Smithton plant by around 100,000 litres per day so far this year. It will also save the plant around 276 tonnes of CO2 emissions and 33,000 gigajoules of energy a year.
McCain Foods Smithton plant manager Gordon Gillies said it was fundamental to the company’s growth strategy to install the new technology, as well as an opportunity to set new benchmarks in the industry around environmental practice.
“We’re excited to implement this cutting-edge technology at Smithton due to the working capabilities and environmental benefits it incorporates,” said Gillies.
“This contributes to McCain’s global commitment to reducing CO2 emissions from out plants by 50 per cent by 2030.”
The proprietary technology was developed at the company’s Timaru, New Zealand plant late last year as a region-first, now followed by the installation at Smithton.
McCain’s Smithton plant completed a $37 million upgrade during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, while simultaneously running its production.
