Hoang Tam - Installation of BLENDING TANKS IN PROCESS for COCA-COLA SINGAPORE Project of Partner GEA PROCESS ENGINEERING 12/2019 is a clear testament to our capability in consulting, fabricating, and installing sanitary storage tanks meeting global quality standards. The successful completion of the sanitary piping and mechanical installation for one of the world's largest beverage corporations in Singapore is a milestone confirming the international reach and capability of this Vietnamese enterprise.
Partner GEA Process Engineering and the Strict Standards of Coca-Cola Singapore
GEA Process Engineering is one of the world's leading technology groups supplying equipment and process solutions for the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical industries. Becoming a direct installation partner for GEA in the Coca-Cola Singapore plant project required the contractor to pass extremely rigorous capability assessments in terms of technical expertise, occupational safety, and quality management processes.
The Coca-Cola Singapore plant operates under the strict standards of the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) and EHEDG (European Hygienic Engineering & Design Group). All equipment, piping, and tanks in direct contact with the product must ensure absolute cleanliness, with no dead legs to prevent bacterial build-up. GEA's trust in Hoang Tam in December 2019 proved the outstanding reputation of this Vietnamese brand on the international mechanical fabrication map.
The Blending Tanks In Process System - The Heart of the Beverage Production Line
In the beverage production process, mixing systems (Blending Tanks) play a crucial role in dosing and blending raw ingredients such as saturated syrup, flavorings, and water with high precision. The "In Process" blending tank system operates continuously and is connected directly to automatic dosing and CIP (Clean-in-Place) systems.
These blending tanks require specific technical parameters:
- Material of Construction: High-grade SUS 316L stainless steel is used for all parts in direct contact with the medium to prevent chemical corrosion from food acids.
- Surface Roughness: The internal surface of the tanks is mechanically polished and electrochemically treated to achieve a roughness of Ra < 0.4 µm, preventing microbial adhesion and maximizing the efficiency of the CIP cleaning process.
- Agitator System: Specially designed agitator blades ensure solution homogeneity without disrupting the binding structure of shear-sensitive ingredients.
- Temperature Control: The dimple jacket system features an optimized flow calculation to maintain precise temperatures throughout the blending process.
Project Execution and Installation by Hoang Tam in December 2019
1. Preparation and Pre-construction Technical Solutions
Immediately after receiving the technical specifications from GEA Process Engineering, Hoang Tam's engineering team detailed the technical drawings and established an optimal installation plan. Due to the limited workspace on-site in Singapore and extremely strict safety regulations, lifting and positioning plans for the tanks were meticulously calculated to the last centimeter.
Hoang Tam utilized 3D simulation technology to pre-model the installation space, resolving early-stage conflicts between the existing process piping and the new blending tank system. This solution minimized downtime for the Coca-Cola factory during the direct installation phase.
2. Auxiliary Equipment Fabrication and Workshop Pre-assembly
A portion of the support modules, stainless steel 304 operating platforms, and valve manifolds were pre-fabricated at Hoang Tam’s workshop in Binh Chanh, Ho Chi Minh City. This ensured strict weld quality control in a standardized workshop environment before packaging and shipping to Singapore.
All structural and sanitary welds were carried out by a team of internationally certified welders (ASME IX). Before leaving the factory, all equipment underwent rigorous quality checks, including non-destructive testing (NDT), hydrostatic pressure tests, and surface roughness measurements using specialized equipment.
3. On-site Installation and Sanitary Welding in Singapore
In December 2019, Hoang Tam's team of engineers and highly skilled technicians arrived at the Coca-Cola Singapore site. The biggest challenge on-site was performing hundreds of sanitary tube welds connecting the tanks to the existing raw material distribution system.
Hoang Tam utilized automated orbital welding technology combined with 99.999% pure Argon shielding gas to execute the sanitary pipe welds. This method ensured full weld penetration, a smooth internal surface, and no oxidation or welding slag—the main culprits behind contamination in beverage production.
Strict QA/QC Process meeting FDA Standards
To meet the stringent handover requirements of GEA and the owner Coca-Cola, every stage of the installation was strictly monitored and meticulously logged:
- Borescope Inspection: 100% of the internal sanitary welds inside the pipes and tanks were inspected using a high-resolution borescope camera to ensure zero surface defects.
- Pressure & Vacuum Testing: The tank and piping systems were pressure-tested with dry nitrogen to detect micro-leaks at joints and flanges.
- Surface Passivation: After completion, the entire blending tank system and piping were chemically treated to regenerate the protective chromium oxide layer, preventing rusting during future operations.
- Turnover Package (TOP): Hoang Tam provided a complete Turnover Package, including Mill Test Certificates (MTC), welder certificates, Weld Logs, Weld Maps, and calibration certificates for measuring instruments.
Project Success and a Milestone for Hoang Tam
The project was completed on schedule by the end of December 2019, delivering a stable and operational Blending Tanks system that met all quality indicators of GEA and Coca-Cola Singapore. This success not only brought immense pride to Hoang Tam's team but also unlocked major partnership opportunities with multinational corporations in the F&B and pharmaceutical sectors.
Professional project management and absolute occupational safety compliance in Singapore—one of Asia's most strictly regulated markets—proved that sanitary mechanical products manufactured by Vietnamese hands are fully capable of competing on the international market.
About Us – A Leading Industrial Stainless Steel Tank Solution Provider
Hoang Tam Company is highly specialized in technical consulting, solution design, fabrication, and installation of premium stainless steel equipment serving key industries: Food, Pharmaceuticals, Chemicals, and Beverages.
We own a modern fabrication workshop, advanced machinery, and a team of experienced engineers with hands-on expertise in major FDI projects. Hoang Tam is committed to delivering optimized technological solutions that meet the most stringent standards for food safety and industrial operational safety.
Customers seeking design consulting, custom fabrication, or installation of industrial tank systems and sanitary piping, please contact us directly for the most professional support.
Contact Information:
Hoang Tam
Address: Lot L1, Street 8, Le Minh Xuan Industrial Park, Tan Nhut Commune, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Hotline: +84933049069
Phone: +84933049069
Email: contact@hoangtamsse.com
Website: hoangtamsse.com
