Our expertise
The choice of sterilization or pasteurization process is a decisive step in the drafting of your specifications.
At Steritech, we design tailor-made autoclaves and continuous solutions capable of operating with different heat treatment processes (water spray, air-steam, bi-process, immersion) to meet the specific constraints of each project, packaging and product.
In this article, discover the main selection criteria, the impact of the different processes and the key points for optimizing your industrial performance.
Why is the choice of process so important?
An autoclave is more than just a sterilization chamber: it’s a system whose process determines the balance between microbiological safety, product integrity and industrial performance.
A poorly adapted process can lead to :
- packaging deformations ;
- over-consumption of water and energy;
- unnecessarily long cycles;
- lower productivity;
- the appearance of bottlenecks limiting the site’s overall production capacity;
- or even quality non-conformities;
Conversely, a well-chosen process optimizes cycle times, preserves product quality and ensures smoother production flows.
Criteria to consider before choosing
The right process rarely depends on a single factor. It results from a combination of technical and industrial constraints:
- Type of product : solid, liquid, viscous, fragile ;
- Type of packaging : rigid, flexible, vacuum-packed ;
- Viscosity and density : influences heat penetration ;
- Production rate : cycle volumes and frequency ;
- Energy constraints : sobriety or cost reduction objectives ;
- Quality requirements : processing homogeneity, reproducibility ;
- Specific industrial constraints : cleaning, maintenance, line integration ;
Which process for which need ?
The table below provides a simplified overview of the most common correspondences between industrial needs and sterilization and pasteurization processes.
| Our customers’ main needs | Often the preferred method |
| Compatible with a wide variety of products and packaging Fragile and delicate products (e.g. baby food) | Spray |
| Products that need to be brought up to temperature quickly (e.g. animal feed) | Air-vapor |
| Heat treatment of various product ranges Future diversification of production Products in compact packaging | Bi-process (spray & air-steam) |
| Specific applications Fragile products requiring immersion | Immersion |
Non-exhaustive list
The choice of a process must not only respond to an immediate problem. It must also enable us to anticipate :
- product range developments ;
- packaging changes ;
- future energy requirements ;
- regulatory developments ;
This is where we come in.
Our Food-processing Engineer draws on a solid knowledge of processing and sterilization techniques, as well as on the experience gained from working with a wide range of clients. This dual expertise enables us to help you make the right choice for your products, your industrial organization and your specific constraints.
Impact of the process on water and energy consumption
The choice of process has a direct impact on plant consumption.
Some processes, such as water spray, air-steam and bi-processing, make it possible to :
- reduce the volume of water used;
- optimize heat exchange;
- reduce temperature rise and fall times;
A solution like WatterloWour system for recovering and recycling water and energy, takes energy efficiency even further. Cycle optimization thus becomes a major driver of industrial performance.
Why carry out tests to choose your process?
Even with a good theoretical understanding, the actual behavior of a product in an autoclave can vary.
The tests make it possible to :
- validate product/process compatibility ;
- observe packaging behavior;
- compare the effects of several processes on your products;
- adjust cycle parameters ;
- secure the transition to production ;
This is an essential step in reducing industrial risks. Our Food-processing Engineer will support you throughout the testing process in our laboratory, so that together we can validate the process best suited to your needs.
How can Steritech help you choose your process?
Every project is unique. Steritech’s role is to analyze your industrial constraints to define the process best suited to your field reality.
Thanks to our tailor-made approach, we can support you in :
- analysis of your products and packaging;
- process selection ;
- carrying out tests ;
- optimizing energy performance;
- integration into your production line;
All the above-mentioned processes can be integrated into our various ranges of machines, both batch and continuous.
Rather than a single process applied to every project, our mastery of several technologies enables us to offer you a solution that is truly adapted to your constraints.
