NOVA NEWS:
We are now ready with a new editon of NovaNews and we hope you find the articles interesting.
You can read about the market situation, exhibitions, new products and chlorine foam, and not least a customer visit with our R&D.
Chlorine foam
Some likes the mother, others the daughter, and some just wants the cheap one :-)
The world, however, is not that simple. In this article, I aim to describe the differences between three of our chlorine foam products to make it easier to choose the right product:
Foam 136
Foam 2000 Cl
Foam Alu Cl
All three products are alkaline, which is natural since sodium hypochlorite (chlorine) is alkaline and produces poisonous gasses when mixed with acid.
If you have any ”stories/experiences with Novadan products” from your country that could be of interest to our other partners/ distributors, please share it with us by emailing details (and images) to hoy@novadan.dk
Or if you are anxious to know more about some topics, which you would like us to write about - again please contact hoy@novadan.dk
Each product has its own advantages:
Foam Alu Cl. This product MUST be used when cleaning materials sensitive to alkalinity, such as aluminium, as it is inhibited.
by Jens Ole Jennsen Sales Manager Food
Foam Alu Cl is excellent at making the surfaces shiny and cleans very effectively. Its cleaning properties are similar to Foam 136.
Foam 136. This is a highly effective and strong product but it cannot be used on aluminium or other alkaline-sensitive materials. Foam 136 is one of the most popular foam detergents on the market, known for its excellent fat-dissolving properties.
Foam 2000 Cl: This product is intermediate in strength between the other two. It is particular effective in industries dealing with fatty fish and poultry, as fatty substances saponify better when the soap contains KOH (Potassium Hydroxide).
In general, it is crucial to understand the customer’s needs and the specific task when choosing a chlorine alkaline foam. Recommending the cheapest option without considering these factors could lead to serious mistakes.
Market Update
Sustainability - on top of the agenda!
Sustainability is increasingly becoming a significant part of our daily lives..
At Novadan, we are committed to becoming a more sustainable company. Consequently, we continually intensify our efforts to achieve the goals set by both the global community and ourselves. We openly acknowledge that we are not yet where we want to be in some areas, but we are taking one step at a time and continuously improving.
Specifically, we have initiated several projects to reach our sustainable goals - goals that define a sustainable company.
Among other things, these initiatives include:
by Jens Bramsen Sales Director
• Since January 1st, 2024, we have exclusively used electricity generated by wind mills
• We maximise the reuse of packaging by either washing and reusing containers (ex. IBCs) or recycling packaging whereever possible. For years, we have been at the forefront of this development, working with returning large packaging and washing this.
• We are a member of VANA - a collective scheme for returnable packaging (Producer Responsibility), which will come into effect in 2025.
• Using FSC-certified cartons
• Utilizing recycled packaging materials for small packaging (with intensified efforts in 2025)
• Continuously phasing out unwanted substances in our products (ex. EDTA, LAS, QAC etc.)
• Optimizing energy consumption at our facilities
• Publishing an annual CSR report - read it HERE
• And many other positive initiatives
New CLP regulation
The EUs CLP Regulation (Classification, Labelling, and Packaging of substances and mixtures) have been revised, and new rules are on their way. Novadan has been preparing for these changes over the past few years, ensuring we are ready to meet the new classification- and labelling requirements. However, some products may still undergo changes compared to their current classification and labelling. Similarly, our labels will need to meet new design and layout requirements (eg. font size). Most importantly, we are fully aware of the regulation and are committed to complying with these guidelines.
Investment in New Technology - To the Benefit of Our Customers!
In 2024, Novadan invested several improvements in our production processes. These investments are aimed at preparing for the future and optimizing our environmental impact, eg. concerning waste water.
Specifically, in the beginning of 2024, a new robot was installed to serve our fully automated filling plant for 10 and 20-liter packaging. This new robot replaces the old one, utilizing the latest technology to optimize the filling process and better prepare us for the future. Additionally. we have initiated a project to optimize the waste water management, ensuring minimal waste water after each production batch. All these effort contribute to the benefit of our shared environment.
Regarding the market for raw materials.
In the fourth quarter, we have observed rising prices for several raw materials since the summer. This increase is due to various factors, such as higher energy prices, increased freight costs, and additional costs for raw materials complying with sustainable production standards both within and outside the EU. Additionally, inflation levels remain higher than before.
Looking ahead to 2025, we anticipate surcharges on freight due to the introduction of mileage charges in countries like Denmark, increased documentation requirements, and later on in 2025, the implementation of producer responsibility for packaging on European markets.
So, how does it look right now?
- Current Outlook and Q1, 2025 forecast.
• We are experiencing a stable supply of raw materials.
• General inflation rates in the markets remain high (~3-6%) which is above normal levels (incl. rising wages)
• The European Construction and Automotive industries are under pressure, with reduced production volumes. This can impact chemical prices as demand falls, leading some manufacturers to halt production for maintenance on their plant.
• The energy situation in Europe is more controlled compared to previous years. The European gas storage is around 90.7% which is 8.2% percentage points lower than last year.
• The on-going conflicts in and outside of Europe continue to result in turmoil and nervousness, and potentially affecting raw materials supplies, particularly due to freight issues from Asia via routes south of Africa).
EXPLOSIVE DECLARATIONS
We would like to inform you that it will soon be time to complete explosive declarations for customers purchasing products that are covered by this. Within the coming month, we will send these declarations to the relevant customers.
As an EU-based company, we are required to update these declarations annually. We kindly encourage everyone to sign the declaration - regardless of whether you have placed an order, to ensure it is ready for 2025.
In case of any questions, please take a look at our website: https://novadan.dk/novadan/explosives/
by
Jens Bramsen Sales Director
NEWER GIVE UP FINDING NEW BUSINESS
by Lars Daugaard Jensen Dairy and Food Technologist
A few years back, a Novadan consultant found a relatively large pilot plant facility, that worked on a concept of letting Black soldier fly larvae grow in food waste materials.
The larvae grow up and are processed at a time where the neutrinos is approx. 55% protein and relatively high in oil.
The material is processed as we know from fish flour where you get oil - in this case “sexy” insect oil and a flour product with lots of protein for animals and pets.
Today the plant has developed from being a pilot plant to a very large plant, the larvae is grown in boxes that has to be cleaned in a large crate washer. The plant has various CIP installations and will going forward be business that is significant.
So here we are in world that turns none digestible waste into nutritional protein and fat. Next step will be as an ingredient in food applications, and on top of this we do have a new interesting customer.
Status of our change to a new ERP system
by Peter Torp IT Administrator
In September 2024, we made the switch to the new Navision 2009. It may be wrong to call it new, but it is so new that we get many new features compared to the old Version 2.60.
The implementation went smoothly with a downtime of only 1 hour. We went from a native database to a SQL database and from an RDP client connection to a local client installation.
The old servers that were used to run the old Navision have been replaced with new modern and more secure servers. We are now able to install features and updates that will help us improve efficiency and save time.
A workflow for e.g. invoices and purchase orders, will be one of the things that will be implemented in the near future.
Novadan is happy to inform about the installation of four electric vehicle chargers for both staff and customers. This investment underscores our commitment to sustainability and providing convenient charging solutions for those in need.
We hope this initiative will support our staff and customers and encourage the use of eco-friendly transportation.
Installation of electric vehicle chargers at Novadan
FoodTech exhibition
- an international exhition for the food processing industry
At the beginning of October, Novadan participated at the FoodTech exhibition, the leading exhibition in Scandinavia for food technologies.
Our goal at the exhibition was to forge new relationships and strenghten the existing network.
At the same time, the International Food Contest (IFC), the largest event in the Scandinavian food processing industry, was also taking place.
Again this year, we were delighted to welcome numerous visitors, including current and potential customers. Visitors came from the Netherlands, France, Norway, Iceland, Faroe Islands, Sweden, Lithuania, Saudi Arabia etc. and also many of our current existing and potential Danish customers.
Our main focus at the exhibition was on membrane cleaning, CIP, and crate washing.
by Jens Ole Jensen Sales Manager Food
”By the way, did you know that some of the largest manufacturers of crate washing machines consider Novadan to be the leading supplier of cleaning products and solutions for crate washing?”
Novadan was located in the hall that was the setting around IFC, making it easy to connect with potential customers.
The most fantastic aspect of exhibitions is - in my opinion - that many visitors come with colleagues which opens up opportunities for dialogue that might otherwise be difficult.
The video shows how busy we were at the stand. / Jens Ole
October
1-3., 2024
NEW EU APPROVALS FOR NOVADAN
Finally, we have obtained our complete EU Biocidal approval for our lactic acid-based teat dip/teat spray range. For many years, we have been able to sell the products legally in eleven different countries through the “old” national approvals. The process of getting these new EU Biocides through the system has taken 5-6 years, even though the EU’s own deadline was set to 3 years. Internally in the company, we thank Tine L. Thomsen for her persistent and systematic efforts for Novadan in this area.
This breakthrough means that we/Novadan can now legally market all our lactic acid-based udder hygiene products in all EU countries, plus Norway and Switzerland.”
LACTIC ACID
by Hans Erik Nielsen Market Manager, Agriculture
Development of a new hoof product
After a long period of time, we are excited to introduce Power Hoof Gel. As the name suggests, this product is gel-based.
At Novadan, we extend our thanks to Developer Frank Sode and to Helle & Hanne in our laboratory for their dedicated efforts.
Power Hoof Gel is highly nurturing and healing, making it an optimal solution for use with bandages and treating hoof damages in general.
Starting in early 2025, the product will be brought to market in a convenient 1 liter package, making it easy to handle and apply to hooves.
by Hans Erik Nielsen Market Manager, Agriculture
Customer visit with our R&D
On Thursday, Dec 5th. our R&D- department visited Svensk Retursystem i Helsingborg, Sweden.
The purpose of the visit was to gain a mutual understanding of their daily routines, tasks, and how challenges occur and are addressed at Svensk Retursystem.
Our R&D had prepared some tests to be conducted on-sitethey were successfully completed. We are now able to test our own labels in the laboratory.
At Svensk Retursystem, we received a thorough tour of the plant in Helsingborg. This facility houses two of the largest crate washing machines built by Brüel. They are reportedly the two largest crate washers in the world. Svensk Retursystem washes appr. 250 million boxes annually across their four large washing facilities in Sweden.
In addition to the tour, we had a meeting with the management of Svensk Retursystem. A meeting where all the washing parameters were discussed. Novadan and Svensk Retursystem have collaborated for nearly 15 years, during which we have developed at cleaning detergent specifically for the box type where removing glue and label residues is a challenge.
Today, we can condidently say that we achieve a high level of label and glue removal, but we must not become complacent. This is why we continually innovate, and during the meeting, we agreed on the focus for the coming years.
As responsible for sales, it is a pleasure to bring such an engaged R&D team on a customer visit - even if it means travelling 600 km.
Svenska Retursystem, SRS, is the smart circular system for the Swedish food industry.
Our mission is to make the supply chain for food and beverage more efficient and better for the environment. The basic idea is that the industry’s distribution should take place with durable crates and pallets that can be used over and over again.
Our R&D Team and Sales Manager Sweden Anders Karlsson.
by Jens Ole Jensen
Manager
Novadan at EuroTier 2024! - thanks for visiting!
In week 46, November 2024, Novadan participated in the EuroTier exhibition in Hanover, Germany with a stand.
Through out the week, 3-5 “Novadanes” were present at the stand to engage with visitors. We were pleased to welcome many visitors and have meetings with well-known and current customers. As usual, we also met many new and potential customers from a wide range of nations.
Our records show us a large number of visitors from Europe, as well as from Canada, SouthAmerica, the Far East, the Middle East, and Africa.
Although it is demanding to stand at the booth
for an entire week, we can once again conclude that partipating in this large exhibition is both rewarding and inspiring.
Currently, we are following up on a large number of potential partners, and we hope some of them will become “well-known and current customers” by the next EuroTier Exhibition in November 2026.
A huge thank you to all of you who visited us, and we wish all our customers and partners a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
OPTIMIZATION OF WASTE WATER
The Wastewater Optimization Project is nearly complete, and we have been operating with the finished facility since week 45.
There is great satisfaction among the employees operating the G3 line. It has become much easier to make a product changeover in production as the process is now automatized, providing a clear overview of which intermediate tank is being emptied.
During the shutdown in week 45, maintenance was performed on the line, and all redundant equipment that is no longer in use, was removed, making it easier to oversee the line.
It is now faster to make a product switch without having to install hoses to and from the main pipe. Another significant factor is that large amounts of products no longer end up in the wastewater, and we now have data on how much we discharge to the municipality.
The increased uptime of the facility should result in more produced 10L and 20L cans per week.
If you are visiting our premises in Kolding, feel free to visit the line; I am sure they would be happy to show it to you.
by Michael Birch HSE, Engineering and Operations Lead
GulFood 2024
Our new distributor for Saudi Arabia decided together with Lagaforce to invest in a stand on GulFood 2024 held in Dubai. Novadan was focused as well on getting a good start, and I was invited to be on the stand to support Rezayat.
by Lars Daugaard Jensen Dairy and Food Technologist
We had many visitors and received serious interest for our products in Saudi Arabia and other markets.
Be aware:
Closing days Christmas 2024
Closing days are the following:
December 23., 2024 to Janary 1., 2025 (both days included)
We will use this opportunity to wish all of our customers a merry Christmas with your loved ones and a Happy New Year. We look forward to a continuously good cooperation in 2025.