Strengthening Liquipac Production at Morrinsville

IXOM has increased production capability at its Morrinsville Liquipac plant with the installation of a new centrifuge, strengthening the site's operational reliability and increasing production capacity by approximately 30%.

The investment supports IXOM's ability to meet customer demand for Liquipac, a coagulant used in water treatment processes across New Zealand, while reinforcing the long-term sustainability of operations at the Morrinsville site.

Investing for the Future

The project was driven by the age of the site's existing centrifuges, which had reached a point where both maintenance and sourcing replacement parts were becoming increasingly challenging.

As a critical part of the Liquipac manufacturing process, centrifuges are used to separate insoluble material from the final product. During production, material enters the centrifuge where high-speed rotation separates solids from the liquid product. The liquid then moves to storage before being dispatched to customers, while the separated solids are repurposed for use in soil-aid products.

With the site's existing centrifuges approaching the end of their service life, IXOM identified an opportunity to invest in new technology that would not only replace ageing equipment but also increase production capability and support future customer demand.

"At IXOM we continue to invest in the infrastructure required to unpin our manufacturing capacity in NZ, to deliver security of supply of critical treatment products that directly support our customers, including essential service providers like the water industry"

Increasing Capacity and Reliability

The new centrifuge delivers approximately 30% additional production capacity for the Liquipac plant, providing greater flexibility to respond to changing customer requirements throughout the year.

Liquipac plays an important role in water treatment, helping customers manage water quality and meet operational requirements. Demand can fluctuate across seasons and in response to changing conditions, making reliable supply an important consideration for water treatment operators.

The increased capability at Morrinsville helps IXOM respond to customer demand quickly and efficiently while maintaining consistent production planning across its broader customer base. The investment also improves operational reliability by reducing dependence on ageing equipment and providing greater resilience across the production process.

Delivering a Complex Project

To accommodate the upgrade, IXOM constructed a new structure within the plant and completed a range of supporting site improvements before the centrifuge could be installed and commissioned. The project was delivered alongside ongoing daily plant operations, requiring careful planning and coordination to maintain production while construction and installation activities took place.

The successful delivery of the project was made possible through the combined efforts of IXOM employees, local trades, contractors and project teams who worked together to complete the upgrade safely and efficiently.

Supporting New Zealand's Water Sector

The investment reflects IXOM's ongoing commitment to maintaining and improving local manufacturing capability that supports essential services across New Zealand.

By increasing production capacity, improving reliability and modernising critical infrastructure, the Morrinsville upgrade positions the Liquipac plant to continue meeting customer requirements well into the future.

Acknowledging Gavin Maxwell's Contribution

The completion of this project also provides an opportunity to recognise the people behind investments of this scale.

The team would like to acknowledge the significant contribution of Gavin Maxwell, who managed the project and worked closely with colleagues, contractors and site teams throughout its delivery. Gavin passed away before this article was published, and his leadership, dedication and commitment were instrumental in bringing the project to completion.

His contribution to the Morrinsville site and the lasting impact of this investment are greatly valued by those who had the privilege of working alongside him.