Mr. Sunil Natekar, Business Line Manager – Oil-Free Air, Compressor Technique, Atlas Copco (India) Private Limited
In an interaction with Food & Beverages Processing Magazine, Mr. Sunil Natekar, Business Line Manager – Oil-Free Air, Compressor Technique, Atlas Copco (India) Private Limited, shares insights into how oil-free compressed air, smart technologies and nitrogen generation solutions are helping food and beverage manufacturers improve food safety, efficiency and sustainability. He also discusses energy-efficient compressors, digital monitoring and connected systems, and how these technologies are shaping the future of food production.
Atlas Copco has been at the forefront of industrial innovation for over 150 years. Could you briefly introduce the Compressor Technique business and its role in supporting the food and beverage industry?
Atlas Copco’s Compressor Technique business focuses on offering reliable compressed air and industrial gas solutions that help manufacturers maintain safe, efficient and productive operations. In the food and beverage (F&B) sector, compressed air is often considered the fourth utility because it is used across critical processes such as ingredient conveying, fermentation, packaging, bottling, filling, cleaning and nitrogen generation.
Our role goes beyond supplying compressors. We work closely with customers to understand their production requirements and provide complete air and gas solutions that support product quality, operational reliability and energy efficiency. Food manufacturers work in an environment where contamination risks, downtime and rising energy costs can have a significant impact on business performance. This is where our expertise becomes valuable.
Atlas Copco has been a pioneer in oil-free air technology and was the first compressor manufacturer to achieve ISO 8573-1 Class 0 certification for oil-free air. Our portfolio includes compressors, dryers, filters, nitrogen generators, monitoring systems and service solutions designed specifically for industries where air quality is critical. By combining innovation, application knowledge, and a strong service network, we help F&B companies maintain high production standards while improving efficiency and reducing operating costs.
Compressed air plays a critical role in food processing and packaging operations. How are Atlas Copco’s oil-free compressor technologies helping manufacturers enhance product quality, safety, and operational efficiency?
In the food and beverage industry, compressed air regularly comes into direct or indirect contact with products. Even minor amounts of oil can degrade product quality, pose contamination hazards, and result in significant production losses. That is why many manufacturers are switching to oil-free compressed air technologies.
Atlas Copco’s oil-free compressors are designed to eliminate contamination risks at the source. As the first manufacturer to achieve ISO 8573-1 Class 0 certification, we provide compressed air with no detectable oil in the output stream. This gives food manufacturers confidence that their products remain protected throughout processing and packaging operations. Beyond product safety, oil-free technology also supports operational efficiency. Since there is no oil in the compression process, manufacturers can avoid costs associated with filter replacements, condensate treatment, and pressure drops caused by filtration systems. Our Variable Speed Drive (VSD) technology further improves efficiency by matching air output to actual demand, helping reduce energy consumption while maintaining stable production.
Cleaner air, improved process dependability, less maintenance needs, and more assurance regarding product quality and brand reputation are the outcomes for food manufacturers.
Food safety and regulatory compliance are top priorities for food manufacturers. How do your air and gas solutions help companies meet stringent hygiene and quality standards?
Food manufacturers undoubtedly operate under strict quality and safety requirements. Compliance is more than just meeting regulations, it is also about protecting consumers and maintaining brand trust. Compressed air quality plays a critical role in achieving these objectives.
Atlas Copco helps customers meet stringent standards through a complete portfolio of oil-free compressors, air treatment equipment, and gas generation systems. Our oil-free compressors are certified according to ISO 8573-1 Class 0, the highest air purity standard, ensuring that there is no risk of oil contamination from the compression process.
As mentioned earlier, Atlas Copco became the first compressor manufacturer to receive ISO 22000 certification for its oil-free production facility. This reflects our commitment to food safety management and provides customers with greater transparency and confidence in the equipment they use.
We also support customers with dryers, filtration systems, air quality expertise and application guidance to help them maintain compliance throughout their production process. Whether compressed air is used for conveying ingredients, packaging products, or generating nitrogen for food preservation, our solutions are designed to support safe, hygienic, and reliable operations.
Sustainability and energy efficiency are becoming key considerations across manufacturing sectors. How is Atlas Copco helping food and beverage companies reduce energy consumption and improve their environmental performance?
Atlas Copco focuses on helping customers reduce energy use through advanced compressor technologies, Variable Speed Drive systems, energy recovery solutions, and intelligent system design. Our VSD compressors automatically adjust output based on real-time air demand, avoiding unnecessary energy consumption associated with fixed-speed systems. We also offer energy recovery technologies that allow manufacturers to capture and reuse heat generated during the compression process. This recovered energy can be used in other production activities, reducing overall energy requirements.
From sustainability perspective, Atlas Copco helps food and beverage companies reduce their overall environmental footprint while supporting ESG and lower carbon emissions.
a. Lower Carbon Emissions
Energy consumption is one of the largest contributors to a food manufacturer’s carbon footprint. Atlas Copco’s high-efficiency compressors and VSD+ technology reduce electricity usage by matching compressed air production to actual demand.
b. Circular Energy Use Through Heat Recovery
Rather than allowing compressor-generated heat to be wasted, Atlas Copco’s energy recovery systems capture and reuse it for process heating, hot water generation, and facility heating. This creates a more circular energy model and reduces dependence on fossil-fuel-based heating systems
c. Reduced Food Waste and Resource Loss
Class 0 oil-free compressed air eliminates the risk of oil contamination in food products. By ensuring product integrity and compliance with food safety standards, manufacturers can reduce product rejection, waste, and the associated environmental burden of discarded food.
d. Improved Operational Sustainability
Digital monitoring platforms such as SMARTLINK provide visibility into energy consumption, system efficiency, and air leaks. This enables continuous optimization, helping plants consume fewer resources while maximizing equipment life and reducing unnecessary maintenance-related waste.
Sustainable production of ice-cream
Thanks to our colleagues in Finland who shared this fantastic customer story!
In the movie you can see how a ZR 160 VSD+ FF combined with an Optimizer 4.0 help Froneri manufacture over 100.000 ice creams on a daily basis. The key reasons for choosing Atlas Copco were energy efficiency, reliability and prompt after sales support. Our equipment has helped them with their goal of reducing their energy consumption. Because ice cream doesn’t like global warming, and neither do we.
The video is also available on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kA_uaoeL3ow
Digitalisation is transforming industrial operations. What role do smart monitoring, automation, and connected air management systems play in optimizing compressor performance and plant productivity?
Digitalisation is changing the way manufacturers manage utilities, and compressed air systems are no exception. Today, customers expect greater visibility into their operations and actionable insights that help improve performance. Atlas Copco’s connected solutions allow manufacturers to monitor compressor performance, energy consumption, operating conditions, and maintenance requirements in real time. Through platforms such as SMARTLINK, customers gain access to valuable operational data that helps them identify inefficiencies, anticipate maintenance needs, and prevent unplanned downtime. Automation also plays an important role in ensuring that compressed air systems operate at optimum efficiency. Intelligent controls can balance air demand, coordinate multiple compressors, and maintain consistent performance across the production facility. This not only improves reliability but also reduces energy waste.
For F&B manufacturers, where production continuity is essential, predictive maintenance and remote monitoring provide an additional layer of operational confidence. Instead of reacting to issues after they occur, manufacturers can make informed decisions based on real-time data, helping improve uptime, reduce maintenance costs and enhance overall plant productivity.
Nitrogen generation systems are gaining traction across food processing and packaging applications. What advantages do on-site nitrogen generation solutions offer compared to conventional supply methods?
Nitrogen plays an increasingly important role in food processing and packaging because it helps preserve freshness, extend shelf life, and protect product quality. Traditionally, manufacturers relied on delivered nitrogen cylinders or bulk liquid nitrogen supplies. However, many of them are now shifting towards on-site nitrogen generation.
The biggest advantage of on-site generation is reliability. Manufacturers can produce nitrogen whenever they need it without depending on external deliveries or managing inventory levels. This helps eliminate supply disruptions and provides greater operational flexibility.
On-site systems also offer significant cost benefits. By generating nitrogen from compressed air, companies avoid recurring transportation, rental, and handling expenses associated with conventional supply methods.
From a food safety perspective, on-site generation provides a consistent and controlled source of nitrogen for packaging and storage applications. Since the gas is produced directly at the facility, manufacturers gain better control over purity levels and supply conditions.
Looking ahead, what are Atlas Copco’s key priorities for innovation and growth, and how do you see the future of compressed air and gas technologies shaping the food and beverage manufacturing sector?
Atlas Copco’s key innovation and growth priorities center on energy efficiency, IoT-driven connectivity, and strict contamination control. For the F&B sector, the future lies in deploying 100% oil-free technologies and automated, on-site nitrogen generation to achieve zero-risk production and strict sustainability targets.
Our focus is on helping food and beverage manufacturers produce more with less— less energy, less waste, and lower emissions. Through innovations in energy-efficient compressors (VSD+ inbuilt HOC Dryers), smart connected technologies (Central Controllers, SMARTLink), oil-free air systems (Triple Class 0 Air Quality) and sustainable gas solutions, we see compressed air evolving from a supporting utility into a critical enabler of operational excellence and sustainability.
