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Hitachi technology for safer, more efficient food production.
When a leading confectionery manufacturer set out to modernize its compressor room, the brief was clear: deliver energy efficiency, process safety, and compressed air entirely free of contamination.
Compressed air is a cornerstone of industrial processes, and in the food sector its quality is essential to guarantee the safety and purity of the finished product. For more than fifty years, Hitachi has designed and built oil-free screw compressors — an accumulated expertise that translates into consistently reliable machines and stable performance over time.
A necessary transition to more advanced technology
The production site in question was running on ageing lubricated compressors, with high maintenance costs and inefficient energy management. Just as critical, the quality of the compressed air was less stable than required — a serious concern for a food plant, where air must be free of contaminants, including trace residues of lubricant.
After a careful evaluation of the available alternatives, the customer chose a solution engineered around their new production requirements. The combination of Hitachi's Sullair oil-free technology and the technical expertise of the distributor — specialists in compressed-air systems — made it possible to build an installation that improved reliability while optimizing energy consumption.
The modernised compressor room — engineered ducting channels clean, temperature-controlled air through the installation.
Why oil-free matters in the food industry
Compressed air is an essential element of food processing, but the importance of its quality is often underestimated. A plant running lubricated compressors carries the risk of residues that could compromise product safety, while also demanding more frequent maintenance and additional filtration stages to separate oil particles.
Oil-free compressors remove this risk entirely, delivering clean, safe air that complies with the strictest standards. This technology is particularly valuable in applications such as:
Pneumatic conveying
Handling of sensitive ingredients such as flour and cocoa without any risk of contamination.
Packaging
Sealing and wrapping of finished products without oil traces in the air stream.
Industrial automation
Operation of food-processing machinery in sterile, controlled production environments.
Beyond safety, a variable-speed oil-free system significantly reduces energy waste — an increasingly decisive factor for manufacturers pursuing sustainability goals and tighter cost control.
“In a food plant, air is not a utility. It is an ingredient. Its purity is as important as that of every other element that reaches the production line.”
What changed on the plant floor
The move to oil-free, variable-speed technology delivered tangible improvements across six dimensions — from product safety to environmental performance.
Zero oil contamination
Air certified to ISO 8573-1 Class 0 eliminates any risk of lubricant residue reaching the product or the production environment.
Superior energy efficiency
The variable-speed drive adjusts consumption to real production demand, cutting waste and lowering operating costs across the duty cycle.
Reduced maintenance
The Oil Mist Remover (OMR) keeps the gearbox clean and protected, reducing wear and extending compressor life.
Moisture defence
The Motorised Isolation Valve (MIV) prevents moisture backflow when the compressor is off, safeguarding air quality.
Lower environmental footprint
Zero oil combined with optimised energy consumption reduces environmental impact and limits CO₂ emissions.
Built for HACCP
Every design choice — materials, sealing, air-path architecture — is aligned with the hygiene requirements of modern food manufacturing.
Multiple units configured for redundancy and load-following — with room to scale as production demand evolves. Sullair DSP compressors for every production need
Hitachi's Sullair DSP series is engineered to deliver maximum reliability and compressed-air purity in environments subject to strict hygiene requirements. The range covers power outputs from 22 kW to 240 kW, in both fixed- and variable-speed configurations, with air or water cooling to match any production context.
The unit installed at the customer's plant
The DSP55V is a variable-speed, air-cooled configuration capable of delivering up to 9.3 m³/min at 7 bar. The airflow is modulated precisely to real plant demand, improving energy efficiency and operational stability across every shift.
DSP technology is distinguished by an advanced airend, developed to ensure durability and corrosion resistance. Among the engineering choices that define the platform:
PTFE-free coating
Proprietary surface treatment that improves wear resistance and delivers consistent performance over time.
Stainless-steel rotors
Higher operating efficiency and resistance to elevated temperatures.
Extended service intervals
An optimised design that reduces technical interventions and lowers lifetime management costs.
Hitachi permanent-magnet motor
Engineered in-house to deliver best-in-class energy efficiency.
The right compressed-air solution is decisive for efficiency, savings and product safety.
Every business has its own compressed-air requirements, and choosing the right solution is decisive for operational efficiency, energy savings, and product safety. With Hitachi's advanced technology, the customer has commissioned a compressed-air system aligned with the highest quality standards, optimising production processes while raising the sustainability profile of the plant.
