When AAK, an international plant‑based oils and fats producer, experienced ongoing costs, supply chain challenges, and limited control with their need for liquid nitrogen, the Atlas Compressed Air Division was there to help!
INSUFFICIENCY IN THE PLANT
AAK specializes in plant-based oils and fats, creating value-adding ingredients used in chocolate, confectionery, bakery, dairy, plant-based foods, special nutrition, foodservice, and personal care products. Efficiency and reliability are critical in high-volume food production. For AAK, nitrogen is an essential utility.
However, their reliance on bulk liquid nitrogen created ongoing issues: rising costs, inconsistent delivery schedules, and limited control over purity and flow. These challenges not only introduced operational inefficiencies but also posed risks to product quality and uptime - prompting the need for a more stable, cost-effective nitrogen solution.
CHALLENGES FACED
- Rising Delivery Costs– Bulk nitrogen came with frequent delivery fees and rising supplier rates that added up quickly.
- Downtime Risk – Production faced delays any time nitrogen deliveries were late or disrupted by supply chain issues.
- Limited Control – Relying on external supply meant AAK couldn’t fully manage nitrogen purity, flow rates, or availability.
- Vulnerability - Supply shortages, resulting in reduced priority status during peak demand periods.
THE SOLUTION
To eliminate supply risks and rising delivery costs, AAK partnered with Atlas Machine & Supply’s Compressed Air Division to implement a fully integrated onsite compressed air to nitrogen generation station, with liquid backup, specifically for AAK's requirements.
The system was tailored to match AAK’s specific flow and purity requirements, providing a steady, high-purity nitrogen supply directly at the point of use. With built-in redundancy and remote monitoring capabilities, the solution ensured uninterrupted operation, improved safety, and long-term cost savings, without relying on external bulk deliveries.
KEY FEATURES
- Remote Monitoring – Continuous oversight of purity, flow, and system health with graphing and SMS notifications.
- Automatic Climate Controls – Maintaining operating conditions of units with aux heat and automated venting systems PLC-based.
- Nitrogen Generation – Advanced membrane and PSA technology delivering high-purity nitrogen on demand.
- Preventive Maintenance Plan - Scheduled service ensuring optimal system performance.
IMPLEMENTATION
At the core of AAK’s system is Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) technology, which pulls nitrogen directly from ambient air to meet the purity standards required for food-safe packaging. By removing the need for cryogenic storage and regular deliveries, AAK streamlined its production and gained greater control over a critical part of its process.
KEY OUTCOMES
- Cost Savings - By generating nitrogen onsite, AAK eliminated recurring costs tied to bulk deliveries, such as rental fees, transportation charges, and evaporation losses. On-demand production also reduced waste and improved overall cost efficiency.
- Eliminated Delivery Uncertainty - With no need for external deliveries, AAK removed the risk of supply delays due to weather, logistics issues, or supplier disruptions—ensuring uninterrupted operations.
- Increased Operational Control - Onsite generation gave AAK full control over nitrogen purity and flow rates, allowing them to fine-tune output to match production needs and maintain consistent product quality.
- On-Site Nitrogen - The new system provides a steady, high-purity nitrogen supply exactly when needed—improving uptime, reducing storage needs, and supporting a more streamlined production process.
CONCLUSION
By engineering a turnkey onsite nitrogen generation solution, Atlas Machine & Supply helped AAK regain control over a critical production component, at significantly lower costs, and insulating their operations from external supply chain risks. This project demonstrates how onsite nitrogen generation can transform operational reliability and financial performance for manufacturers.
TRUSTED PARTNERS
At Atlas Machine and Supply, we understand that no two operations are the same - and that’s exactly why we don’t offer one-size-fits-all solutions. With decades of experience in industrial compressed air and nitrogen generating systems, our team brings the expertise, tools, and resources needed to design, build, and maintain custom-engineered solutions that fit the specific needs of each facility we serve.
Atlas works closely with you to evaluate your current processes, identify inefficiencies, and implement systems that drive long-term savings and reliability.
From concept to installation and beyond, we’re committed to being a true partner - helping companies reduce costs, minimize downtime, and operate more sustainably. The success of this facility is just one example of how we empower our customers to take control of their operations with smart, forward-thinking solutions.
