Water at the Heart of a Demanding Production Process
Glacière Narbonnaise
Glacière Narbonnaise secures the quality of its ingredient water, improves water and energy efficiency, and reduces the environmental impact of its facilities.
Food & Beverage Industry
Food Safety, Industrial Performance and Environmental Responsibility
For more than 130 years, Glacière Narbonnaise has been producing ice products. Its new facility in Lézignan specializes in the production of ice cubes and flake ice. As water is the primary ingredient in its products, water quality is a key concern for the company.
Certified to FSSC 22000, both Glacière Narbonnaise sites meet stringent food safety requirements. Water quality management must not only ensure safe products, but also deliver water that is free from taste and odor while maintaining consistent characteristics right up to the point of use.
Water also plays a critical role in the operation of industrial equipment. The cooling towers used to condense the natural refrigerant must be protected against microbiological risks, scaling and corrosion, while complying with environmental regulations related to discharge into the natural environment.
As part of the construction of its new facility, Glacière Narbonnaise partnered with BWT to design a solution capable of meeting two objectives: ensuring water quality suitable for food production while optimizing water and energy consumption.
Watch Our Customer Testimonial
Discover how BWT supports Glacière Narbonnaise in managing its ingredient water and cooling tower treatment, from system design through to long-term operational support.
The Challenge
Managing Water Throughout the Entire Production Process
To produce approximately 15,000 tonnes of ice cubes, Glacière Narbonnaise uses nearly 23,000 m³ of water. Around 70% of this volume is incorporated directly into the final products, while the remainder supports industrial utility requirements.
The project therefore involved two complementary challenges.
Ensuring High-Quality Ingredient Water
As water becomes a direct component of the ice cubes and flake ice, it must provide outstanding organoleptic quality and controlled microbiological quality right up to the point of use. The installation must also comply with regulations governing materials in contact with food products.
Securing Cooling Tower Operation
The four cooling towers require treatment solutions that prevent fouling, corrosion and Legionella risks. Particular attention must also be paid to blowdown water quality, as it is discharged into the natural environment.
The selected solutions therefore needed to combine food safety, regulatory compliance, equipment performance and reduced environmental impact.
The Solutions
A Comprehensive Water Treatment Approach
BWT designed tailored solutions for every water application on site, from ingredient water production to cooling tower treatment.
Controlled Ingredient Water with BWT Sigma Ingredient Water
To meet Glacière Narbonnaise's quality requirements, BWT selected the BWT Sigma Ingredient Water reverse osmosis system, specifically designed for the most demanding food and beverage applications. Compliant with Regulation (EC) 1935/2004, the system features a hygienic stainless-steel design in accordance with EHEDG guidelines.
The treatment process also includes chemical-free pre-treatment upstream of the reverse osmosis unit. With a production capacity of 5 m³/h, the installation achieves an 85% recovery rate and delivers water that is free from taste and odor, making it ideally suited for use as an ingredient in ice production.
A More Sustainable Cooling Tower Treatment Solution
To protect the cooling towers against fouling and corrosion, BWT implemented a solution based on its alternative chemistry portfolio, using chemicals formulated with biodegradable active ingredients.
Microbiological control is ensured by BWT ECO-UV. This advanced oxidation technology combines the action of UV-C light with hydrogen peroxide. It treats the water while reducing reliance on conventional chemical treatments and minimizing the environmental impact of discharge water.
Together, these technologies address the site's technical requirements, sanitary safety objectives and environmental discharge constraints.
Support from Design to Daily Operation
BWT's involvement began during the system sizing phase. Its teams managed design studies, equipment manufacturing at the BWT Saint-Denis facilities, on-site delivery and commissioning by qualified technicians. This end-to-end project management ensures water quality that meets the customer's expectations with complete peace of mind.
A technical assistance contract now provides ongoing support for the installations. BWT teams carry out regular site visits, support maintenance operations and assist Glacière Narbonnaise in meeting regulatory requirements for its four cooling towers.
Customer testimonial
Find out how we support our customers in their industrial water treatment.
"Today, we work with BWT with complete confidence. It is a win-win partnership that reassures me from a technical perspective through the availability of their teams and helps ensure consistent production at our facility," says Romain L., Technical Manager – Glacière Narbonnaise.
"Our partnership with BWT stands out through its ability to combine technical performance, quality excellence and environmental commitment," adds Frédéric B., Chief Executive Officer – Glacière Narbonnaise.