Precision Cold Blending Facility for Mint Oil Production in India
Callisons, a leading mint company in the world, decided to use India's plentiful mint resources to increase its production footprint. The company decided to build a new facility in Pune to cold blend premium mint oils for use in food and cosmetics because raw mint oil is widely produced throughout India.
The Challenge
Callisons needed a partner who could provide a comprehensive, technically sound solution that covered design, manufacturing, installation, and commissioning. They needed more than just equipment. During the blending process, the system also needed to protect the sensitive qualities of mint oil.
The facility also required hygienic transfer systems such as Inoxpa sanitary pumps to maintain product purity during production.
The Solution
INOXPA, a process equipment specialist, produced a completely customized project that was designed for accuracy, hygienic practices, and efficiency.
A semi-automatic PLC-controlled operation that was directly connected to the filling line was comprised of stainless-steel blending vessels, agitators, centrifugal pumps, pneumatic butterfly valves, sampling systems, and flow control components. The project followed hygiene and process standards commonly used in advanced water treatment plant India and high purity water system applications.
Key Installation Highlights
- Multiple AISI 304 stainless steel tanks (1,100L to 16,000L capacity)
- Hygienic agitators and HYGINOX centrifugal pumps for controlled transfer
- Centralised flow diversion system connecting tanks to filling
- Semi-automatic PLC control for consistent process management
Smart Features That Stand Out
- Air-purge CIP system with specialised liquid spraying — ensuring cleaning without water contamination
- 9-inch touchscreen interface with diagnostics, cycle selection, and digital/analogue input monitoring
The Result
The Pune facility now makes it possible to precisely blend mint oils that are sourced from all over the world, guaranteeing consistent quality and bringing production closer to the source of raw materials. The project serves as an example of how customized engineering and
automation can boost productivity, preserve product quality, and facilitate the production of flavors worldwide. The project also highlights the growing role of automated water treatment solution technologies and hygienic process engineering in Indian manufacturing facilities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Why is cold blending important in mint oil production?
A1: Cold blending helps preserve the natural aroma, flavour, and quality of mint oil by preventing heat damage during processing, which is especially important for food, cosmetic, and oral care applications.
Q2: What role do hygienic pumps play in the blending process?
A2: Hygienic pumps, such as Inoxpa sanitary pumps, ensure smooth, contamination-free transfer of mint oil between tanks and processing lines, helping maintain product purity and uphold high hygiene standards.
Q3: How does PLC automation improve mint oil blending operations?
A3: PLC automation helps control blending parameters accurately and maintains process consistency across batches, and it also reduces manual intervention, improves production efficiency, etc.
Q4: Why are CIP systems used in mint oil processing facilities?
A4: CIP (Clean-in-Place) systems allow equipment cleaning without dismantling the setup, and in mint oil production, this helps maintain hygiene standards while reducing contamination risks and production downtime.
