The equipment used for filling and capping chemicals and agro-chemicals can also be used across a number of other industries including food, cosmetics, some pharmaceuticals and household. However, it is important to distinguish the different requirements needed for the chemical and agro-chemical industries, such the ability to fill containers with sometimes dangerous or corrosive liquids – meaning that these manufacturing facilities are looking for different attributes in their machinery.
Liquid Filling Process
The filling and capping process used is generally the same across all industries, starting with an auto infeed of the containers via an unscrambler or sorting table followed by liquid filling using a linear machine and finally closing with a capper. One of the key differences with Agro-chemicals is that they often need to be able fill a wide range of different sizes. Generally our customers are looking to fill containers from 1 litre up to 20 Litres (some even specify a requirement to go as small as 50ml). This means that the equipment needs to be easily adapted for a wide range of different sizes without incurring long changeover times. Some Agro-chemical operations require the ability to fill multi-products and we can offer equipment that simultaneously fills up to four different products. Learn more about liquid filling here
Safety with flammable products
Equipment for filling and capping chemicals often needs to be able to cope with corrosive products and can be constructed using high grade stainless steel or titanium nozzles. Sometimes the equipment has explosion protection and is ATEX compliant, so that the line can handle highly flammable products. In these circumstances special procedures and guidelines need to be followed to ensure the safety of the personnel and security of the production line.
Line adaptions for filling
Chemical and agro-chemical production lines may also choose from a range of adaptions specific for their requirements such as vapour extraction from the machine filling area or a nitrogen injection before filling, there is a long list of adaptions that can be made specific to requirements. A popular feature of filling machines is the ability to utilise both magnetic inductive and mass flow meter fillers for the filling process. This technology offers you very significant advantages in filling accuracy over the full filling range including reliability, low maintenance and both product and time savings on changeover.
Capping agro-chemicals
When it comes to the cappers for the chemical and agro-chemical markets they need to be able to handle a range of caps and closures including pumps, sprays and triggers, as well as tamper evident versions. Depending on the size and shape of the container different types of caps can be applied across a range of different speeds – from a single head, pick and place capper to a fully servo rotary. Ultimately this offers more choice for the end user and means the end product can be adapted depending on current customer demand. Learn more about capping here
Other industries using liquid filling
Other industries that use adaptions of similar equipment for low viscosity to high viscosity products include:
Food: Oil & vinegar, dressings, ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, honey, cocktail sauces etc.
Cosmetics: Shampoo, conditioner, hair gels, creams etc.
Chemicals: Plant protection products, petrochemical products, household cleaning products, solvents, fertilizers etc.
