VPI renews its mixer with the new generation SOFRADEN

Client overview

VPI, a subsidiary of the Vicat group, is an industrial company with one of its sites located in Malataverne, in the Drôme region. It manufactures adhesives, joint compounds, and facade coatings in powder form.
The site operates 24 hours a day, producing approximately 130,000 tonnes per year.

Industrial Challenge

VPI needed to replace a 25-year-old mixer that had reached the end of its service life. Already operating a Sofraden mixer and wishing to renew this equipment, the company chose to continue its collaboration with a trusted partner and reliable equipment.

The identified constraints

Integration of the new mixer into a fully existing production process.

A very short project timeline, limited to two weeks, on a site running continuously.

A need for improvements in equipment safety, maintenance, and durability.

These challenges required a solution capable of integrating perfectly with the existing setup while meeting a tight project schedule.

Solution provided by Sofraden

Sofraden was selected for its recognized expertise in mixer design and for the trusted relationship already established with VPI. Several technical meetings made it possible to precisely define the company's needs and the desired improvements.

Together, VPI and Sofraden developed the exact model meeting the client's expectations: a horizontal paddle mixer with full discharge, featuring complete anti-abrasion lining inside the tank and high-speed lateral lump breaker motors.

To ensure successful integration into the existing environment, a complete 3D model of the site was created ahead of the project, making it possible to validate the layout of the new equipment before installation.

Customer Testimonial

“The installed mixer perfectly meets our needs. The project went very smoothly and on schedule, with production restarting as planned and very few remarks during the third-party inspection, which were quickly resolved. The system has been running for two and a half months without any problems, whether quality or safety related: we are very satisfied with the result.”
—Maintenance Manager at VPI

Sofraden's Methodology

Technical meetings to define the needs and areas for improvement (safety, maintenance, durability).
Custom design of the mixer and 3D modeling of the environment to validate integration.
Organization of the project into two teams (morning and evening) to meet the two-week deadline.
Partial opening of the cladding to allow the mixer to be lifted to the first floor of the plant.
Installation of temporary flooring to secure the hopper areas during the dismantling of the old equipment.
Special attention given to safety aspects and the wearing of PPE throughout the project
Installation and commissioning of the new mixer.

Results Achieved

Project completed within the allotted timeframe, despite a tight two-week schedule.
Production restarted in line with the planned schedule.
Mixer operating without any quality or safety incidents in the months that followed.
A fully satisfied client, continuing its long-term collaboration with Sofraden.