In April 2016, the carbon dioxide division food safety management systems in the ammonia water shop, liquid carbon dioxide shop and reservoir refill shop at Acron (Veliky Novgorod) passed a recertification audit under ISО 22000, ISO/TS 22002-1 and additional FSSC 22000 requirements.
The main purpose of this recertification is to eliminate any factors that could affect product quality and to ensure product safety for end consumers. Tatyana Kvartaleva, lead auditor from certifying body DNV GL, visited the ammonia water shop, carbon dioxide shop and reservoir refill shop at Acron (Veliky Novgorod) to investigate how the requirements for the management system are met at each stage of production. There were no fault-findings, and Acron’s compliance with the international standards of food safety was recertified. Recertification allows Acron to sell carbon dioxide to food producers for another three years. The audit report will be submitted for approval to DNV GL, which will issue an international certificate of Acron’s compliance with food safety standards for carbon dioxide production.
“I liked the production facility very much. I spent several days there and have no doubt that Acron is committed to increasing its effectiveness,” Kvartaleva said. “I appreciate that people know their duties, professional training is ongoing and Acron’s employees are open to everything new. Despite the fact that liquid carbon dioxide production is just a small segment, the Company demonstrates its commitment to and compliance with all complex obligations set forth by the food safety standards.
“I see order, precision, self-discipline and good structuring. The Company’s personnel have excellent qualifications. I would like to single out the teamwork of Acron’s specialists for praise”. Food production facilities that use carbon dioxide to make carbonated beverages are the main consumers of Acron’s carbon dioxide; however, Acron is working to enter other carbon dioxide markets. Major clients purchase 80% of Acron’s total CO2 supply, and smaller volumes of this product are delivered to metalworking companies and shipyards in Russia’s Northwest region. A commercial greenhouse in Veliky Novgorod uses Acron’s carbon dioxide to increase its yields, and pellets of dry ice produced from carbon dioxide are used for food refrigeration, surface cleaning and other purposes. The design capacity of Acron’s carbon dioxide unit is 15,000 tonnes per annum. During the winter season, a maximum of 1,500 tonnes of this product are delivered to consumers per month, while monthly deliveries increase to an average of 1,700 – 2,000 tonnes from May through September.