Analyzing the Growing Preference for Nitrogen Generators from Food Packaging and Pharmaceutical Industries

Highlights:

• Introduction
• Applicability and advantages of nitrogen generators
• Innovative product launches by top players in the landscape

Nitrogen, the most abundant element in the atmosphere, is widely used in different end-use industries like food packaging, oil & gas extraction, electronics manufacturing, pharmaceutical, etc. The main reason behind this widespread demand is its inert, non-reactive nature. In the food packaging industry, for instance, nitrogen gas is used to control the oxygen levels in food packets. Continuous exposure to oxygen can degrade the quality of perishable foods like meat, vegetables, dairy products, fruits, etc. Similarly, nitrogen gas is used to increase the shelf life of drugs and medications and for cryopreservation of other body samples like blood, sperm, etc. In the chemical manufacturing sector, too, it is widely used to control fire and avoid explosions by preventing oxygen from reaching dangerous levels. To address this huge demand for nitrogen, on-site nitrogen generators are installed in these industries for effective and efficient production of the gas.

Nitrogen generators help address the demands of different end-use industries

Traditionally, manufacturing industries made use of nitrogen cylinders to meet the demands of their operations. However, over the years, two types of nitrogen generation technologies have been developed, viz., pressure swing adsorption (PSA) and membrane separation to ensure a pure supply of this inert gas. PSA technology is generally used for critical applications such as healthcare and pharmaceutical manufacturing wherein pure nitrogen is required.  On the other hand, membrane nitrogen generators are used in industries including, mining, oil and gas exploration, etc., where the main aim is to reduce the oxygen concentration.

Compared to nitrogen cylinders, generators are a cost-efficient option as the expenses related to purchasing, delivery, and storage are done away with. While the initial investments are high in the case of generators, the overall operational charges are much lower. Also, the expenditure on maintenance and repair is much less. Thus, in the long run, the input costs associated with nitrogen generation go down, thereby increasing the profitability of the company.

Secondly, nitrogen generators ensure a continuous supply of gas which is extremely important for certain industries like pharmaceutical manufacturing. Also, installing generators in an industrial setting protects the company from external supply chain problems that might have affected its production capabilities. The dangers associated with transporting hazardous materials are also reduced due to on-site generation capabilities.

Another important reason behind the growing adoption of on-site generators is that the level of purity of nitrogen can be customized easily. While membrane technology provides a purity level of 95-99.5%, the pressure swing adsorption technique offers 99.99% pure nitrogen. Depending upon the need, industries and laboratories can maintain the highest standards of accuracy by adjusting the degree of purity. Additionally, the carbon footprint associated with the production, storage, and disposal of nitrogen gas cylinders is very high which impacts the environment negatively. On the other hand, on-site generation has proven to be a much more sustainable and environment-friendly nitrogen production option.

Ingenious products by PEAK and Atlas Copco creating new avenues of growth in the industry

The nitrogen generators industry is an extremely dynamic one wherein multiple multinational giants are looking to strengthen their position in the industry. To gain an advantage over their peers, these companies have invested heavily in R&D activities to develop innovative on-site generation techniques. In June 2023, PEAK, a gas generator manufacturing company, announced the launch of Horizen 24, an energy-efficient N2 generator. The product, which has been specifically designed for laboratory usage, has a two-stage active safeguard mechanism that prevents moisture from getting mixed in the gas stream. Furthermore, the brushless compressors used in the generator reduce the power consumption by around 50%.

In April 2024, Atlas Copco, a multinational manufacturing company, announced the expansion of its product portfolio with the launch of a new series of portable nitrogen membrane generators. The new series comprises of four models, viz., NM 1000-25, NM 3000-25, NM 500-25, and NM 2000-25. Designed for applications in the oil & gas exploration and mining industries, the advanced membrane technology helps bring down the energy consumption of the generator drastically. The product launch is expected to help the company cater to the demands of its customer base comprehensively in the coming period.

In summary, the surging demand for nitrogen in different end-use industries such as food packaging, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and oil & gas exploration has increased the applicability of nitrogen generators drastically. Over the years, both types of on-site generation technologies, pressure swing adsorption (PSA) or membrane separation, have become popular. The cost-efficiency and flexibility offered by these technologies have made them a preferred choice over traditional nitrogen cylinders.

For tips and recommendations on how to capitalize on the opportunities present in the industry, feel free to contact us.

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