Atlas Copco Launches Integrated On-Site Nitrogen Generation System

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On September 22, Atlas Copco launched a new integrated on-site nitrogen generation system for modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) production during PPMA Show 2026 in Birmingham, UK. The system integrates the NGP+ pressure swing adsorption nitrogen generator, drying, filtration, purification, gas storage, and control equipment on a single skid-mounted platform. The complete unit is pre-assembled and tested at the factory before delivery, and can be directly connected to an existing compressed air system to produce food-grade nitrogen with a purity of 99%–99.9% on site.

The core of this launch is the integration of gas generation and post-treatment equipment that was previously configured separately into a single pre-engineered system. Food companies typically need to configure a nitrogen generator, drying equipment, filtration units, purification systems, and gas storage facilities separately, whereas the new system centrally installs these links on a unified base, reducing on-site equipment matching, piping connections, and commissioning work. Atlas Copco positions it for modified atmosphere packaging production lines, mainly serving food and beverage manufacturers.

The NGP+ used in the system adopts PSA pressure swing adsorption technology, using compressed air as the raw material to separate nitrogen. The equipment can adjust nitrogen purity according to the specific packaging process, producing the required gas within the range of 99% to 99.9%, avoiding additional energy consumption caused by uniformly using higher-purity nitrogen under all operating conditions. The on-site nitrogen generation mode also reduces the transportation, storage, and external supply links of liquid nitrogen or cylinder nitrogen, directly incorporating nitrogen supply into the factory's existing compressed air infrastructure.

The NGP 8+ also exhibited by Atlas Copco is the smallest model in the NGP+ 8-130 series and can be used independently as nitrogen generation equipment, with a maximum nitrogen purity of 99.999%. The equipment can continuously monitor the quality of inlet compressed air and confirm whether the output nitrogen reaches the set purity; its Variable Cycle Saver control technology can adjust the PSA cycle according to nitrogen demand and ambient temperature, achieving up to approximately 40% additional energy savings under low-load and low-temperature conditions.

In addition to the nitrogen generation unit, Atlas Copco also showcased compressed air treatment and process cooling equipment within the same production system this time. The TCX 4-90A industrial chiller integrates refrigeration, circulation pumps, water tanks, and temperature control functions, and can be used to keep cooling water temperature stable during production; the system can also monitor temperature, pressure, equipment status, and maintenance needs. For food packaging production lines, on-site nitrogen generation, compressed air, filtration, and process cooling can be configured as the same set of utility systems.

Atlas Copco's existing nitrogen skid product system already covers higher-pressure applications. Its high-pressure integrated nitrogen system can combine GA VSD+ air compressors, NGP+ nitrogen generators, nitrogen boosters, and gas storage equipment, providing a 40 bar direct-use gas version and a 300 bar cylinder storage version; the NGP+ product series on-site nitrogen generation purity range can reach 95%–99.999%, with flow coverage of approximately 2–2870 Nm³/h. The new system launched for MAP production further extends the integrated skid-mounted approach to food packaging scenarios.