When it comes to keeping production running smoothly, every part plays a critical role, especially in hygienic environments like food and dairy processing. But when one major European dairy opted for a cheaper, non-genuine shaft seal for their Alfa Laval LKH pump, what looked like a small saving turned into a big failure.
🔎The result? The non-genuine seal lasted just 16 days, compared to two years of flawless performance with the original. Pump failure, downtime, lost productivity, and a painful lesson learned.
🔹This case study is a stark reminder: if it’s not genuine, it’s a gamble.
Are your teams spending hours manually cleaning IBCs?
Still struggling with inconsistent results, wasted water, or downtime?
It’s time to clean smarter, not harder, with ITSClean – the automated IBC cleaning system from ITS 💦
✅ Fast – Drastically cut cleaning times
✅ Efficient – Uses less water, chemicals, and energy
✅ Hygienic – Consistent, validated results every time
✅ Safe – Removes the risks of manual handling
Whether you’re in food & beverage, pharmaceutical or dairy, ITSClean is the hygienic cleaning solution your process has been waiting for.
Your IBCs deserve better. Your teams deserve better.
Let ITSClean handle the dirty work.
👉Get in touch with ITS today to see how we can streamline your cleaning process and give your team their time (and energy!) back. Contact us 📞01675 465191 📧Or email us at: sales@industrialtradingsolutions.com
Businesses that handle food and beverage, cosmetics, pet care, paint, chemicals, or household products – in fact, just about any wet product or liquid – are likely to benefit from product recovery or pigging, a pipe-clearance process that solves the problem of wasted residual products left in pipelines.
Pigging is now a fully automated technology that ensures the residues left inside pipes or tubes in industrial plants are recovered, rather than wasted, cutting waste and costs, and increasing productivity and profits.
💡Recovery pigging system: how it works
The pigging system consists of the ‘pig’, a small projectile which fits snugly inside the industrial pipes or tubes, the launching station (the launcher), and the receiving station (the pig catcher). There are several phases in a pigging system’s operation:
🔹Phase 1: The downstream and upstream sectioning valves are opened. The liquid product is transported through the pipework, while the pig is retained at the launching station by a blocking jack.
🔹Phase 2: The downstream sectioning valve is closed, and the pig is released into the pipe or tube using the positioning actuator. Compressed liquid or gas, depending on the specification of the system, is used to propel the pig through the line to the receiving station. All residue of the media that was transported through the pipe is recovered.
When the pig arrives at the receiving station, it is brought to a stop mechanically. The input of the propulsion liquid or gas at the launching station is discontinued.
🔹Phase 3: Before the pig is returned to the launching station, the downstream sectioning valve is closed, and the vent waste valve is opened. Using liquid or air, the pig is propelled backwards towards the launching station where it first started.
Once back at its launch position, the pig is locked into place by the actuator, which is moved into standby position, ready for the next cycle.
💭 Next steps: At ITS, we can help design and set up a pigging system for your business or supply the components you need to keep your existing system in good order. Our trained technical sales team can provide knowledgeable advice to help you get the most out of your recovery pigging system, to help cut waste, boost efficiency, and maximise profits. For more information, browse our website or get in touch to find out how we can help.
If you’re responsible for process optimisation or hygiene-critical production lines in the dairy, beverage, brewery, food processing, home and personal care, and pharmaceutical industries, then listen up because the Alfa Laval Burst Clean system is an innovation worth your attention.
What is Burst Clean?
Burst Clean is a valve cleaning enhancement designed for Alfa Laval Mixproof valves. It delivers short, high-intensity bursts of CIP fluid directly to the valve seat and upper / lower seat areas. This targeted approach ensures full coverage and thorough cleaning – even in challenging, high-viscosity product environments.
Why You Should Be Using Burst Clean Technology
Alfa Laval’s Burst Clean unit is used on Mixproof valves to independently lift the upper and lower seat areas.
Traditionally, seat lift valves used PLC timings that were programmed with a 5-second open and close timer. This was necessary because the signal from the valve head to the PLC needed time to sync.
Burst Clean eliminates this delay thanks to its purpose-built design. The software in the control head can open and close the seat lift with maximum turbulence, allowing short “bursts” that take less time than the traditional 5 seconds, depending on your specific system setup.
The result? Less time in operation means less water wasted during CIP (Clean-in-Place) processes.
Key Benefits:
✔️ Up to 90% reduction in water and cleaning media used per CIP cycle
✔️ Reduced CIP time thanks to efficient, fast-acting bursts
✔️ Ensures full hygienic compliance even in tight cleaning schedules
✔️ Minimises product contamination risks by maintaining seal integrity
✔️ Integrates seamlessly into existing CIP setups and automation systems
Engineering Insight:
The Burst Clean system uses pulsed spray and pressure waves to dislodge product residues more effectively than standard cleaning flows. It can be precisely timed and automated, allowing less frequent but more effective cleaning bursts, ultimately reducing total cleaning fluid volume, drain loading, and chemical consumption.
💡Whether you’re looking to meet stricter sustainability goals, improve CIP turnaround, or simply lower operational costs, Burst Clean is a practical upgrade with a fast ROI.
Contact ITS to discuss how Burst Clean could integrate with your current Alfa Laval valve setup. 01675 465191 / sales@industrialtradingsolutions.com
When it comes to processing products as rich and delicate as chocolate and coffee, every detail matters — from flavour preservation to cleanliness, temperature control and product integrity.
That’s where KMH pipe systems step in as a game-changer.
🔹Why KMH Systems Work for Chocolate & Coffee Applications:
KMH pipe systems are designed with hygienic flow at their core, making them ideal for the demands of modern food and beverage production. Whether it’s processing dry refined cocoa powders, instant coffee, or transporting coffee beans or grounds at precise temperatures with minimal breakage or contamination, KMH’s solutions keep your process smooth, clean, and compliant.
🔹Benefits You Can Taste (and Trust):
Hygienic by Design: Seamless construction and food-grade materials reduce the risk of bacterial growth – critical in chocolate processing where sugars and fats can cling.
Temperature Control: Ideal for maintaining the delicate temperature profiles chocolate requires to remain workable and avoid bloom.
Gentle Product Handling: Ensures beans or grounds maintain integrity and aroma during transport and processing.
Durable & Efficient: Built for high performance with low maintenance – a long-term investment for continuous improvement.
Whether you’re refining the perfect dark blend or creating artisan chocolates, KMH pipe systems deliver the flow efficiency, hygiene, and reliability your process needs.
When it comes to accurate, reliable, and hygienic weighing solutions, Eilersen Load Cells stand out from the crowd.
Using patented capacitive technology, these load cells offer:
🔹High precision – even in tough industrial environments
🔹Robust, overload-protected design
🔹Easy installation – with no need for complicated mounting kits
🔹Hygienic and maintenance-free – perfect for food, pharma & beverage sectors
🔹Digital signal for easy integration and diagnostics
Whether you’re upgrading your existing system or starting from scratch, choosing Eilersen means investing in performance and peace of mind.
💡Available now from Industrial Trading Solutions Ltd. – get in touch to find the perfect solution for your process. 01675 465191 / sales@industrialtradingsolutions.com
We’re making preventive maintenance even more cost-effective with this exclusive ITS Lite offer!
Purchase five or more of our Alfa Laval Butterfly Valve Service Kits through ITS Lite, and you’ll receive up to 5% off – automatically applied at checkout.
✅Save Instantly When You Buy 5 or More – No Code Needed!
✅Just sign up, log in, add to your basket, and watch the pounds roll-off in your order summary.
✅No extra steps
These genuine Alfa Laval Service Kits are compact, high-quality kits containing everything you need for common repairs and preventive maintenance, including high-quality certified seals and O-rings, all with full traceability.
💡Perfect for:
• Scheduled service maintenance
• Minimising downtime
• Supporting hygienic and compliant operations
Shop smarter and save instantly – available exclusively on ITS Lite.
We were thrilled to welcome the Alfa Laval team to our HQ recently, where we were officially presented with our brand new Master Distributor signage – hand-delivered by the fantastic team: Leonardo Morabito, Karina Kwan, Michael Weber, Sarah LykkePedersen, and Shawn Zhang.
This visit was more than just a sign drop-off – it was a powerful meeting of minds. Together, we:
🔹 Reviewed our current performance and achievements
🔹 Explored Alfa Laval’s upcoming training plans for distributors
🔹 Shared ideas around marketing strategy and collaboration
🔹 Took a deep dive into the ITS 3-year business growth plan
The partnership between ITS and Alfa Laval continues to go from strength to strength, and we’re excited about what the future holds. This signage isn’t just a badge – it’s a reflection of our shared commitment to quality, innovation, and excellence in the hygienic flow market.
Thanks again to the Alfa Laval team for the visit, the insights, and the continued support!
📸See one of our favourites on our LinkedIn page here – & say hello to Badger, the ITS Office Dog for the Day! 🐶 #PawPatrol
Let us know your favourite highlights in the comments…
Across the business, June’s Journey has taken us through moments of achievement, new experiences, support, and continued growth. It’s all captured in the ITS Flow Time Newsletter – June 2025 Edition: https://tinyurl.com/3cusytvj
Give it a read and let’s do this again next month! 👋😃
Is your hygienic processing environment in need of an upgrade?
Our ITS Servicing & Maintenance team were recently called out on site to visit a customer for a full walk-through and inspection. Two of our expert engineers scoped out the line and identified areas where processing issues were impacting performance.
💡ITS Solution: Our servicing team recommended key upgrades to support smoother operations. We’re now conducting bi-annual inspections on the customer’s hygienic processing equipment to help prevent breakdowns and minimise downtime.
🔍 Why this matters to us: At ITS, we believe in preventing problems before they start. By taking a proactive approach, we are committed to supporting our customers in maintaining smooth operations, with reliable, efficient systems, reduced risk of emergency repairs and ensuring long-term reliability across processing environments.
🔹You don’t have to wait for a breakdown to take action. Use ITS Servicing & Maintenance to keep your line running at its best, and take our advice on when to replace ageing equipment: https://www.industrialtradingsolutions.com/its-servicing/
Struggling with the uniform mixing of starches, gums, or thickeners? Say hello to VISCOVAK — the powerful in-line mixer from Vak Kimsa, available through ITS, your trusted partner in hygienic flow equipment.
Designed specifically for handling high-viscosity and texturising solids, VISCOVAK makes light work of even the most demanding formulations.
💡What makes VISCOVAK stand out?
✔️ High-performance homogenisation for solids like:
Xanthan gum
Pectin
Agar
Carrageenan
Cellulose
Starches and flours
✔️ Ideal for thick and creamy products – like baby food, sauces, dairy-based items, and personal care products.
✔️ Superior consistency and texture – every time.
Whether you’re working in the food industry or cosmetics manufacturing, VISCOVAK delivers results where traditional agitators can fall short. It’s about smarter, cleaner, and more efficient mixing.
🔧 Integrated seamlessly into your process line
🔬 Engineered for hygiene-critical applications
📈 Boosts product quality and production efficiency
🌟 Ready to enhance your mixing performance?
Get in touch with the ITS team today – we’ll help you find the right VISCOVAK setup for your process. 01675 465191 / sales@industrialtradingsolutions.com
We’re pleased to announce that Industrial Trading Solutions Ltd has successfully renewed our SafeContractor accreditation for another year.
💪Proud to be a safe and reliable partner:
SafeContractor is a Health and Safety accreditation for contractors in the UK. This accreditation reflects our ongoing commitment to maintaining high standards and good health and safety policies across all areas of our business.🔍Find us on the SafeContractor portal:
Being listed on the SafeContractor portal means customers can easily verify that ITS conforms to required Health & Safety regulations – which allows us to confidently carry out on-site servicing of equipment and support.
Remember – When you purchase any Alfa Laval Hygienic Pump from ITS, you’re eligible for a FREE first annual pump service. 👉 Click here for more info:🔗 https://www.industrialtradingsolutions.com/?p=8594
In the world of aquaculture and fisheries, water is more than just a habitat—it’s a lifeline. Ensuring that water remains clean, oxygenated, and free from harmful contaminants is critical to maintaining healthy fish stocks, protecting delicate ecosystems, and delivering high-quality products to consumers.
HiFlux specialises in high-performance filtration solutions designed to remove impurities, protect sensitive equipment, and keep water flowing efficiently—whether it’s for recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), hatcheries, or fish processing plants.
Key Benefits in Fisheries:
✅Protecting Pumps and Equipment: HiFlux strainers prevent particles and debris from clogging or damaging pumps, valves, and heat exchangers.
✅Maintaining Water Quality: Effective filtration helps maintain optimal conditions for fish growth and welfare.
✅Reducing Maintenance Downtime: Automatic self-cleaning filters reduce the need for manual intervention and costly shutdowns.
✅Corrosion-Resistant Materials: Ideal for marine and saltwater environments, HiFlux filters are built for durability and long-term reliability.
Whether you’re managing a trout farm in the Scottish Highlands or operating a large-scale salmon facility in Norway, HiFlux Filtration offers peace of mind that your water systems are protected and performing.
In hygienic environments where air quality and control are critical, the infrastructure behind your air expulsion and supply systems matters just as much as the valves and filters themselves.
That’s why KMH Kamman Metallbau’s stainless steel ducting solutions are trusted by engineers across the food, beverage, dairy, and pharmaceutical industries.
🔧Why choose KMH ducting for air systems?
✔️High-grade stainless-steel construction – durable, corrosion-resistant, and ideal for hygienic zones
✔️Precision-welded, dead-leg-free design – supports cleanroom compliance and reduces contamination risks
✔️Modular and adaptable – allows easy installation and custom configuration for both supply and exhaust air systems
✔️Seamless integration with sterile filters, air valves
✔️Reduced turbulence and pressure loss – for energy-efficient air handling
Whether managing overpressure systems, ensuring aseptic air supply, or enabling controlled air expulsion, KMH ducting supports smooth, hygienic and safe airflow throughout your process facility.
📦Now available through Industrial Trading Solutions Ltd., with full support on specification, layout design, and integration with KMH’s broader air management range.
Meet Bob from Anderson-Negele, as he walks us through how the ITM-4 turbidity sensor can help identify problems in your chilled water monitoring system — before they turn into costly downtime.
Whether you’re dealing with plate heat exchanger failures, product contamination, or inefficient CIP, the ITM-4 offers real-time visibility into water clarity, helping you maintain hygienic standards and system integrity.
When it comes to the fisheries and marine processing industry, you need equipment that can handle challenging media like fish waste, emulsions, and high-viscosity fish oils — all while maintaining hygiene, reliability, and efficiency.
At Industrial Trading Solutions Ltd., we offer a range of Alfa Laval pump technologies perfectly suited for this environment:
🔹 Alfa Laval LKH Centrifugal Pumps
Ideal for gentle, efficient transfer of low-viscosity liquids like fish stickwater and broth, with hygienic design, low energy consumption, and easy CIP integration.
🔹 Alfa Laval LKH Evap (high inlet pressure variant)
Engineered for evaporation duties in fishmeal and fish oil processing, handling demanding pressure conditions without compromising flow or hygiene.
🔹 Alfa Laval Rotary Lobe Pumps
A go-to solution for viscous or shear-sensitive media like crude fish oils, emulsified by-products, and protein-rich slurries. Their low-shear design ensures product integrity and reliable transfer in harsh marine environments.
✅ Hygienic design
✅ Easy to clean and maintain
✅ Robust construction for corrosive and high-load applications
✅ Proven performance in both onshore and offshore installations
Whether you’re looking to upgrade your pump systems for better efficiency or expand your fish oil recovery line, we’re here to help you specify the right Alfa Laval solution.
📩 Talk to the team at ITS to learn more about pump selection, sizing, and integration into your marine or seafood process.
We were thrilled to welcome Alfa Laval to ITS for an in-house training session, which provided our team with a deep dive into two of their latest innovations — the Single Seat Pressure Relief Valve and the Leakage Detection Butterfly Valve.
Huge thanks to Paw Kramer and Karina Kwan for delivering a comprehensive and engaging refresher. The session combined presentations, practical hands-on learning, technical comparisons, and an open Q&A, giving our team the confidence to support customers with expert insight and advice.
At ITS, we’re committed to staying ahead of the curve in hygienic flow solutions — and sessions like this are key to ensuring our knowledge stays as sharp as our service.
In industries where hygiene is critical — such as food & beverage, pharmaceutical, dairy, and personal care — the materials used in manufacturing and processing equipment must meet stringent standards. At the heart of hygienic process equipment is stainless steel, chosen for its durability, corrosion resistance, and ease of cleaning.
But not all stainless steels are created equal. Understanding the different grades of stainless steel — and why they matter — is essential for specifying the right material for your application.
🔍What Makes Stainless Steel “Hygienic”?
Stainless steel is favoured in hygienic environments for three key reasons:
Corrosion resistance – Prevents contamination and maintains surface integrity
Strength and durability – Withstands high pressure, temperature, and aggressive cleaning cycles (CIP/SIP)
The secret to these properties lies in it’s chemical composition — and this varies significantly across different stainless steel grades.
🧪Common Stainless Steel Grades in Hygienic Applications
1. 304 Stainless Steel (1.4301)
Composition: ~18% Chromium, 8–10.5% Nickel
Applications: General food processing, light-duty applications
Pros: Affordable, widely available, good corrosion resistance
Limitations: Less resistant to chlorides and strong acids; not ideal for aggressive CIP chemicals or salty environments
2. 316 Stainless Steel (1.4401 / 1.4404)
Composition: Similar to 304, but with 2–3% Molybdenum
Applications: Dairy, brewery, pharmaceutical, biotech, and high-acid food environments
Pros: Superior corrosion resistance (especially to chlorides and acidic environments), ideal for repeated CIP/SIP cycles
Note: 1.4404 includes low carbon content (316L), reducing the risk of intergranular corrosion during welding
3. 316Ti (1.4571)
Composition: 316 with Titanium added
Applications: High-temperature and welded components
Pros: Titanium stabilisation improves weldability and resistance to carbide precipitation, increasing lifespan in certain process environments
⚠️Choosing the Right Grade: Why It Matters
Using the wrong stainless steel grade in a hygienic environment can lead to:
Surface pitting or corrosion
Microbial contamination risks
Reduced equipment lifespan
Non-compliance with hygienic standards (EHEDG, FDA, 3-A, etc.)
For example, 304 may be suitable for dry food handling or ambient-temperature equipment, but in dairy or pharma settings where aggressive cleaning agents are used, 316L is often the standard.
✅ What to Consider When Specifying Stainless Steel:
What media is in contact with the surface? (Acidic, salty, alkaline?)
What temperatures and cleaning agents will be used?
Is welding involved, and if so, what finish is required?
What industry regulations apply? (EHEDG, FDA, 3-A, etc.)
🔹Working with experienced suppliers — like Industrial Trading Solutions Ltd. — ensures your equipment meets both hygienic design requirements and material performance expectations.
🔩 Beyond the Metal – Surface Finish Matters Too
In hygienic environments, it’s not just about the steel grade — it’s also about surface finish. A smooth, polished surface (typically ≤ Ra 0.8 µm) minimises biofilm build-up and makes cleaning more effective. Some applications may even require electropolishing to achieve ultra-smooth finishes and passivation.
🌍 Future-Proofing Your Process Equipment
As regulatory standards evolve and sustainability becomes a greater focus, investing in the right stainless steel grade can reduce lifetime costs, minimise downtime, and ensure compliance and safety for years to come.
Whether you’re upgrading an existing process line or designing a new one, make sure your material selection reflects the demands of your process environment.
📩Need guidance on hygienic materials or component selection? Speak to the team at Industrial Trading Solutions Ltd. – we supply a full range of EHEDG-compliant valves, fittings, pumps, and process equipment in certified stainless steel grades to suit every application.
Each Eilersen system includes integrated load cell diagnostics, enabling real-time monitoring of:
✔️ Individual load cell performance
✔️ Load status
✔️ Early alerts for potential issues
While Eilersen digital load cells are virtually maintenance-free, if attention is ever needed, the system will proactively notify users, allowing for fast, easy, and targeted troubleshooting — without unnecessary downtime.
Intelligent weighing starts with smart sensors. Ready to optimise your system?
Last week, we had the pleasure of welcoming Cortney Hinton to Industrial Trading Solutions Ltd. For her school work experience.
During her placement, Cortney gained valuable insight into the world of business, with a full overview of how ITS operates. Over her time with us, she had the opportunity to gain hands-on experience across key departments, including marketing, sales, and the warehouse.
She worked on an ad campaign and product photoshoot – took on the role of event coordinator assistant, helping with catering and refreshments. Additionally, she participated in servicing and maintenance training, tried her hand at article writing, and managed various general admin and sales duties. This experience provided her with a well-rounded view of the different roles that keep our business running smoothly.
We were thrilled to support Cortney on her journey and show her the exciting opportunities a career in this industry can offer.
Thank you for being a part of the team, Cortney! 👏
