Insider Media Limited

Malmesbury Syrups, a Wiltshire-based specialist food producer, has invested in disinfection technology from Microtek to make its products safe for consumers without using heat.

Managing director John Taylerson told Insider that the 'PurePulse' hi-intensity pulsed light system would pay for itself over time because the system uses only 5 per cent of the energy required for conventional heat treatment of liquid products.

PurePulse can also be used as a continuous part of the production line, doing away for the need for batch processing of Malmesbury’s products.

"It means production time is reduced by up to a half for any given production run," said Taylerson.

The company's products are also likely to taste better with the system in place, since heat treatment can affect delicate flavours, it was said.

"So far the system appears to be make the flavours better – more flavoursome and slightly stronger," added Taylerson.

Using a system without heat is also allowing the company to use lighter packaging that is notheat-resistant, it was added.

"This means more weight saving and access to markets where the easily recycled PET bottles are preferred, such as coffee shops," Taylerson said. "This improved access to new markets was part of the commercial attraction of the investment."

Malmesbury Syrups originally looked at an alternative to conventional heat treatment after attending a Defra-backed climate change event some years ago. It highlighted how the company would need to change its production methods, and from there it was a question of the company finding the right approach that also worked commercially.