Meech launches industry-first UL-certified ionising bar

Meech International has set a new benchmark for food and beverage safety with the launch of the Hyperion 314IPS, the first hygienic ionising bar of its kind to achieve the prestigious UL 62368-1 certification.

The announcement marks a significant shift for the sector, providing manufacturers with independent, globally recognised assurance that their static control equipment meets the highest safety standards. As hygiene scrutiny intensifies across the supply chain, the Hyperion 314IPS aims to bridge the gap between perceived cleanliness and actual process control.

Static electricity is often the hidden culprit behind production line failures. In high-speed environments, static can attract airborne dust, cause packaging film to cling, or lead to misaligned bottle seals. Meech’s new bar is engineered to tackle these issues head-on in three key areas:

• Bottle tamper seals: by neutralising charges behind the label delivery head, the bar ensures sleeves sit correctly before shrinking, preventing “clinging” or incorrect placement.

• Vertical form filling: static on packaging film often draws powders into the seal area, causing downtime. The 314IPS eliminates these charges to ensure airtight, reliable seals.

• Conveying and palletising: the bar prevents blow-moulded bottles from toppling or attracting debris on the conveyor belt by removing surface charge at the exit point.

“Even in facilities with extensive cleaning protocols, static charge can undermine hygiene by drawing dust onto products,” explains Richard Walker, product manager at Meech International. “That gap is becoming harder to ignore.”

The Hyperion 314IPS isn’t just electronically advanced; it is built for the rigours of a food factory. Constructed from smooth, fully sealed PTFE, the bar is designed without dirt traps and is compliant with FDA, EU food-contact, and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) guidelines.

With an IP67 rating, the unit is fully protected against dust and high-pressure water jets, making it ideal for facilities that require frequent wash-downs.

The UL 62368-1 certification is particularly vital for international manufacturers. It simplifies the approval process for facilities operating across different regions — especially in North America — where insurance and local authority requirements can vary.

“Customers can specify the Hyperion 314IPS for use across all global locations with confidence it meets international safety expectations,” adds Walker.

The bar integrates seamlessly with the existing Meech ecosystem, including the SmartControl Touch and BarMaster Programmer, allowing operators to monitor and optimise performance in real-time. For an industry under constant pressure to demonstrate cleaner, more efficient processes, Meech’s latest innovation offers a clear path to a more controlled production floor.