The Australian food and beverage manufacturing sector thrives on efficiency, precision, and reliability. In this demanding landscape, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) supplied by ELGAS emerges as a versatile and dependable energy solution. From powering commercial kitchens with instant and controllable heat crucial for consistent cooking quality, to fuelling essential processes like steam generation for sterilisation and hot water for sanitation, LPG plays a vital role in maintaining productivity and hygiene standards. Its adaptability extends to powering packaging and processing equipment, ensuring smooth operations across the production line.
Beyond its direct applications in food preparation and processing, LPG offers significant advantages. Its higher energy content compared to natural gas means less fuel is needed to achieve the same results, potentially reducing operational costs. Furthermore, ELGAS offers carbon-neutral LPG options, aligning with the growing emphasis on sustainability within the industry. This commitment not only aids in corporate responsibility but can also be a key differentiator in a competitive market.
We invite you to discover the benefits of ELGAS LPG firsthand at the Australian Manufacturing Week, from May 6th to 9th, 2025, at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Join us to explore how our tailored LPG solutions can enhance your food and beverage manufacturing operations and contribute to a more efficient and sustainable future.
LPG Solution Fuels Tongala Nutrition’s Success
Facing a disconnected natural gas supply and imminent deadlines, Tongala Nutrition turned to ELGAS for a fast and dependable energy solution. Within weeks, ELGAS had installed a comprehensive LPG system, allowing the food manufacturer to begin producing UHT milk for domestic and international markets. Steve Townsend, Plant Manager, highlights the critical role of ELGAS’s prompt action and reliable service in ensuring the company’s survival.
In late 2023 Tongala Nutrition purchased a dormant former Nestle site at Tongala, a small rural town 225 kilometres north of Melbourne, with plans to reopen as a food and beverage manufacturer focussed on producing UHT milk for the domestic market, but with global export aspirations. “Of all the services connected to the site, natural gas was the only one disconnected,” Steve says of when the start-up company took over the site.
Attempts to reconnect natural gas proved futile – both in cost and lost time. “For the timeframe we needed to get gas running, it wasn’t going to work,” says Steve. “And it was going to be more expensive. So, we approached ELGAS, and they jumped on board.”
ELGAS Sales, Technical and National Maintenance teams immediately worked with Tongala Nutrition and quickly executed the installation. “They managed to fit a system and get us running within weeks. It’s been working well ever since.” With two large boilers on-site, LPG was the only cost-effective option for Tongala Nutrition. “It’s the best bang for the buck for the energy we get,” says Steve. “We’re a start-up and ELGAS has from its National Technical Team, and ongoing maintenance through its National Maintenance Team. given us such good support. In our first 12 months, we didn’t know what our volumes would be and how often we’d need gas. We only pay for what we use, which is a great part of it.”
Its telemetry system enables ELGAS to remotely monitor all LPG tanks at Tongala. This allows for improved service scheduling for timely refills, better understanding of gas usage patterns, and enhanced reliability of service with fewer disruptions. Steve, a Tongala local, added that the town’s revival with Tongala Nutrition re-opening the site was hinged on ELGAS stepping in with a reliable, safe, and cost-efficient local energy supply. “We had supply contracts with major retailers,” Steve explains. “If ELGAS hadn’t supported us with this project, we wouldn’t have been able to meet those contracts. It was as critical as that.”
ELGAS and Energy Safe Victoria have supported Tongala Nutrition’s journey “all the way with regulations and procedures we must have on site. And ELGAS has provided safety training and documentation to support that”. Steve expects Tongala Nutrition’s LPG requirements will grow. “The beauty about the ELGAS system is that we can grow by adding LPG tanks on site as we need. Easy.”