A world leading supplier of lactic acid, emulsifiers, functional enzyme
blends, minerals, vitamins, and algae ingredients with nearly $1B in
annual sales saw a surge in consumer demand for their lactic acid and
derivative products. The supplier quickly realized that the most efficient
way to increase their capacity to produce lactic acid was to invest in the
expansion of their existing facility. However, the risks to this investment
were high. In the 60 years since the lactic acid plant was first built, it
had never undergone an expansion of this magnitude.
With clients in the pharmaceutical, chemical, food, and personal care
industries with high requirements for hygiene and sanitation, the
supplier knew it was also imperative that the facility be engineered to
meet the highest standards for hygienic design. They therefore turned
to the hygienic design and cGMP experts at EAD for a turnkey solution.
With an EPC contract in place, EAD guaranteed that our design will
not only ensure the supplier’s facility can produce enough lactic acid to
meet their stated production goals, but also that we will complete the
work to meet the critical path project timing and budget requirements.
EAD’s open book transparency model gives our client the confidence
and peace of mind that their multi-million-dollar investment is in good
hands.
EAD offered multiple options to deliver faster than the client expected
on this fast-track project. EAD has already leveraged the skills of our inhouse
project managers, process and mechanical engineers, structural
engineers, electrical engineers, and construction managers to provide
detailed engineering and construction packages. EAD’s process
engineering team provided everything from process flow diagrams and
general arrangement plans to mass and heat balance calculations.
During the pre-construction phase of the project, EAD was contracted
to perform the site civil, structural, and electrical underground portions
of the project.
The scope included demolition work, underground piping, and the
installation of steel piling, a concrete foundation, and electrical
grounding loops.
EAD also put in place measures to ensure the facility could continue
normal production during the construction period. For example,
critical piping tie-ins were completed over a three-day plant shutdown
period to ensure that the plant could continue production during the
planned installation of new piping systems.
Utilizing our vendor qualification methodologies and existing vendor
networks, EAD also helped our client locate and qualify vendors for
their project that best fit their quality and budget requirements. As
part of the EPC contract, EAD will erect more than 350 tons of steel,
set new equipment, and install over 3.5 miles of process piping with
valves and instrumentation.
The lactic acid supplier has expressed confidence in the ability and
experience of the EAD team to take their large-scale project from the
FEL-3 stage all the way through to construction. Our clients know that
with EAD as their advisor and partner, they can avoid costly mistakes,
increase efficiencies, and reduce risk in the projects that matter the
most.
Client: Leading Lactic Acid Producer
Location: Global
Market(s) Served: Pharmaceutical / Bio-processing
Services:
- Engineering
- PM & CM Project Support
Project Highlights:
EAD delivered a turnkey
solution and executed a
major plant expansion to
increase our client’s lactic
acid production capacity
Contained the construction
area to ensure hygienic
plant operations could
continue throughout the
project period
Awarded EPC contract as a
result of EAD’s open book
transparency model and
dedication to stakeholder
success
Leveraged exiting vendor
network and EAD vendor
qualification processes
to provide client with
qualified vendors that
met all budget and client
specific requirements