Dutch sugar producer Suiker Unie packs the products in its extensive range of dry and liquid sugar varieties in Foodcert IBCs and drums from Schütz to ensure maximum safety throughout the entire supply chain.
„Safety, cleanliness and quality are the pillars that support our company - from beet cultivation in the countryside to the packaged sugar on the supermarket shelf,“ says Wim Peltenburg, QSHE Coordinator at Suiker Unie. The internationally active sugar producer has its origins in the merger of cooperatively organised sugar factories in the Netherlands at the beginning of the 20th century.
The company now has five factories. Beet is processed into granulated sugar in Dinteloord, Vierverlaten and Anklam. The speciality factory in Puttershoek produces caster sugar, icing sugar and sugar cubes for end consumers and industry. The site in Roosendaal produces liquid sugar products such as syrups. The different varieties are intended for customers in the Netherlands, but are also exported to Germany, Belgium, France, Italy and England.
Depending on the nature of the product, the Dutch also transport their sugar in Foodcert models from Schütz. „We pack around ten products from our entire range in 1,000-litre IBCs from this line, as they meet our highest standards in terms of food safety and hygiene,“ explains Wim Peltenburg. Another argument in favour of the market leader's transport packaging: the sugar manufacturer's syrups have a high density. The packaging must be designed for this, as an IBC filled with it can quickly reach a weight of 1,400 kilograms. Schütz manufactures the right IBCs for this. They are approved for filling goods with a physical density of up to 1.9. To increase stability, these containers are also fitted with corner protectors.
The Dutch Sugar Union is also seeing an increase in public interest in food and its production:
„Our products are intended for the food and even the pharmaceutical industry. Standards for these industries are intervening earlier and earlier in the supply chain. That's why the packaging material is now also being scrutinised very closely.“
Certified security - for customers and suppliers
In order to meet current standards and future requirements today, Suiker Unie numerous audits undergone. The factories have multiple certifications. In particular, the IFS (German standard for food) and BRC certification (English equivalent) make an important contribution to the company in terms of food safety and quality. The factories also have an established HACCP system (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points).
In 2012, the company was certified according to the industry standard FSSC 22000 (Food Safety System Certification). Quality assurance is not limited to the company's own processes. The Beet farmers as suppliers and providers of bulk materials, technical equipment, packaging materials and services are also included. This is precisely why the sugar producer relies on IBCs from Schütz.
In the same year as its customer, the global player from the Westerwald also started the complex certification process (FSSC 22000, based on ISO 22000 in conjunction with ISO/TS 22002-4) at its production sites worldwide. This was the decisive basis for the Foodcert line. These IBCs offer full safety in three respects: with regard to the material used, the product and the manufacturing process. They not only fulfil the requirements of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European directives, but also take into account additional factors to minimise risk. This means that the packaging meets the significantly increased safety requirements in the food sector.
Both companies are orientated towards the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), which recognises this system certification. The GFSI is the world's largest non-profit organisation for improving food safety. It was founded in 2000 by food producers and retailers to establish international standards. The area of influence of the GFSI and its „Guidance Document“ now includes Europe, the USA, South America, China and India.
Seamless traceability
Schütz manufactures the Foodcert packaging just-in-time on the basis of customised individual orders: the IBC inner containers are transferred to final assembly and installed immediately after the blow moulding process. Each production step and each component can be clearly assigned to the corresponding packaging and is also completely silicone-free. Identification via a Barcode system enables seamless traceability - right down to the Batch and process level. Schütz also assigns individual identification numbers for articles or packaging materials on request. This is in line with Suiker Unie's internal processes: the company uses an automatic tracking & tracing system to trace raw materials and end products at every single stage of production.
Preventive manufacturing
Maximum safety requirements demand elaborate Preventive programmes: Like Suiker Unie, Schütz has therefore implemented numerous measures as part of the HACCP concept. These apply to the buildings, the systems and the entire production environment. These include detailed hygiene regulations for employees and cleaning plans for the workstations. There are also measures to avoid foreign bodies or dust, regular microbiological testing of process water and blown air, protection when handling waste, as well as glass and knife management. Maintenance regulations and checks of the machines, systematic pest control on the entire factory premises, specifications for the controlled use of all working materials, especially chemicals, and a secure incoming goods department complete the package.
Finished Foodcert IBCs are loaded and dispatched directly indoors without storage. Pre-produced components such as screw caps, outlet taps or bung plugs are also hygienically packaged and stored separately. If shipping is to take place at a later date, the containers are stored in special closed rooms. Plastic bonnets offer additional protection as an option. All of these precautions together contribute significantly to maintaining the quality of the contents.
