With the personal care liquid sector facing mounting pressure from rising costs and ambitious sustainability targets, many manufacturers are re-evaluating how they handle liquid processing.
Instead of relying on outdated transfer methods, a growing number of producers are adopting advanced liquid product recovery (a type of pigging) and liquid routing technologies to recover valuable product from pipelines, reduce waste, and streamline production.
The Shift to Advanced Technologies
Peter Elgar, Executive Chairman at HPS Product Recovery Solutions, has witnessed this shift firsthand. “There’s a real sense of urgency in the industry,” he commented.
“Manufacturers are looking for practical ways to cut costs and improve their environmental performance without disrupting existing operations.”
Improving Efficiency with Pigging
Advanced Liquid Product Recovery Technology uses a specialist device to recover nearly all residual product from pipelines.
This innovation is at the forefront of the industry’s transformation.
By pushing out leftover product from pipelines, pigging not only minimises waste but also shortens cleaning times and reduces the need for water and chemicals.
This translates directly into faster changeovers, higher yields, and a smaller environmental footprint.
Real-World Benefits
Elgar also highlights the significant benefits of HPS Technology:
“At one of our recent installations, sanitisation time was reduced from 2-3 hours to just 15 minutes, washout times were cut by 83%, and waste was reduced by 93%. These results demonstrate how the right technology can significantly improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact.”
Efficient Liquid Routing Systems
Alongside pigging, liquid transfer routing systems such as the HPS Automatrix Valve Manifold and Rotomatrix Manifold are enabling manufacturers to direct liquids precisely where they are needed.
These systems, whether automated or manual, help prevent cross-contamination, minimise human error, and reduce the chances of sending product to the wrong destination. They are also frequently used in combination with HPS Pigging Technology to maximise product recovery.
As Elgar explains, “These routing manifolds reduce costly errors, improve safety, optimise space, and enable seamless changeovers, keeping production accurate and efficient.”
Rising Demand for Smarter Solutions
The rise in demand for these solutions makes sense.
According to HPS, interest in advanced pigging and routing technologies has been steadily rising as more companies that process liquids seek to boost profitability while meeting increasingly strict environmental standards.
“Even small changes, like introducing pigging to a single product line, can deliver major returns very quickly” says Elgar.
“And because these systems integrate with existing infrastructure, manufacturers don’t need to overhaul their entire process to see the benefits.”
By embracing these innovations, personal care liquid manufacturers are not just keeping pace with industry challenges, they’re setting new benchmarks for efficiency and sustainability.
As Elgar puts it, “It’s about working smarter, not harder – squeezing out every last bit of productivity and making every drop count.”
To learn more about HPS technology, click here to download their free guide from the website.
