Case Study
Dry Powder Blending Co. Improves Hygiene & Efficiency by Standardising to BFM®
Food Powders
Allicio Nutrition Ltd Transforms Plant and saves
Allicio Nutrition Ltd, a UK-based dry powder blending company, produces around 120 tonnes of nutritional products every week across seven processing lines. With a diverse product mix that includes allergenic ingredients, the site faced challenges around cleaning, changeovers, and dust control.
Working with our UK Authorised Distributor, ProSpare, Allicio have standardised their flexible connectors using the BFM® fitting system, improving both efficiency and hygiene throughout their plant.
The Challenge
Like many powder processing facilities, Allicio relied on a wide mix of flexible connectors in varying shapes, sizes, and materials across their seven processing lines. These lines handle a diverse range of products — including dairy-based allergens — so thorough cleaning between product runs was critical to prevent cross-contamination.
Each full clean required disconnecting multiple jubilee-clipped connectors, which was both time-consuming and inefficient. On bulk lines, two operators could spend up to four hours just removing or replacing connectors.
The poor sealing performance of jubilee clips also led to dust leakage and product loss, requiring the team to regularly add an extra 2% of product to every batch to compensate. These factors combined to extend cleaning times, increase downtime, and create dustier working conditions for staff.
The BFM® Solution
When Allicio approached ProSpare in 2017, their goal was to make cleaning faster, safer, and more consistent. ProSpare recommended the BFM® fitting system, comprising the unique BLUEBAND™ flexible connector and precision-formed spigots that snap together to create a 100% dust-tight, tool-free seal.
Over the last eight years, more than 25 connection points across the plant have been upgraded to BFM® fitting. The results have been significant.
There are no product leaks where BFM® is installed, significantly reducing overall plant cleaning time. Less dust means staff no longer need to wear masks, and BFM® is far easier and quicker to changeover, further reducing cleaning time. Also, because there’s no leaks, they no longer need to add extra product into the batch.
Benefits Achieved
The fast, simple internal snap-fit of the BFM® fitting means connectors can be changed at least 75% faster than previously.
No product leakage has contributed to a much healthier, safer environment to work in and the team no longer needing to wear masks.
In one instance, the Seeflex 040E connector has lasted over six years, adding to the ROI that the company is seeing with increased productivity.
The internal fit of the BFM® fitting has ensured there are no leaks so the product stays inside the process and the plant is much cleaner.
What the client said about BFM®
“BFM® fitting has improved health and safety on site. At one point, our staff were required to wear masks due to dust levels. BFM® has directly contributed to masks no longer being required”
- Safety, Health & Environment Coordinator
Case Study provided courtesy of BFM® Distributor ProSpare Limited (United Kingdom)
Our most popular connector that can be used in virtually all applications. Made from clear ether-based thermoplastic polyurethane alloy.
The Flexi-Connector is made from an ether-based polyurethane with a 316 stainless steel wire coil. Ideal for bag feeders, filling heads or bulk bag...
Getting Started with BFM® fitting
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