{"id":24010,"date":"2026-05-14T07:00:47","date_gmt":"2026-05-14T07:00:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vakkimsa.com\/fr\/blog\/2026\/07\/22\/when-the-problem-isnt-the-formula-but-the-wrong-pump\/"},"modified":"2026-07-22T08:10:06","modified_gmt":"2026-07-22T08:10:06","slug":"when-the-problem-isnt-the-formula-but-the-wrong-pump","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vakkimsa.com\/fr\/blog\/2026\/05\/14\/when-the-problem-isnt-the-formula-but-the-wrong-pump\/","title":{"rendered":"When the problem isn&#8217;t the formula, but the wrong pump \ufeff"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">In sectors such as detergency, cosmetics or food, it is common to see how a correct formulation stops behaving as expected when it goes into production<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Xanthan gum is a key ingredient in many industrial processes: it provides \ud835\ude03\ud835\uddf6\ud835\ude00\ud835\uddf0\ud835\uddfc\ud835\ude00\ud835\uddf6\ud835\ude01\ud835\ude06, stability and precise rheological control. But it also has a characteristic that is often overlooked: it is extremely sensitive to how it is <strong>mechanically handled<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In sectors such as detergency, cosmetics or food, it is common to see how a correct formulation stops behaving as expected when it goes into production: the product arrives with less body, the texture changes or becomes <strong>unstable<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The invisible point <\/strong>is usually the fluid handling \u2014agitation and pumping\u2014 and whether the xanthan works as it should or becomes degraded before reaching the final process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The key question: is it really a formulation problem\u2026 or a process problem?<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">In many cases, what is happening has nothing to do with the recipe.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Everything seems correct: the mix has been done well, the parameters are adequate and the laboratory results are consistent. But when the product is transferred between equipment, its structure begins to degrade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Viscosity drops, texture changes and deviations appear that end up affecting the final quality of the detergent: inconsistencies in dosing, phase separation, changes in the appearance of the finished product.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The reason is frequently that the pumping system selected is not suitable for pseudoplastic fluids like xanthan..<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why xanthan is especially vulnerable to shear<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Xanthan gum is a microbial-origin polymer with a double-helix molecular structure that gives it its unique rheological properties. This structure is precisely what makes it so valuable in formulation\u2026 and so fragile when subjected to inadequate pumping. Its viscosity decreases as shear rate increases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This means that under aggressive pumping conditions, the fluid behaves deceptively \u2014it flows well at that moment\u2014 but once it stops, the molecular structure no longer fully recovers. If a centrifugal pump is used with xanthan solutions, the fluid is subjected to high speed and a high level of shear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If a centrifugal pump is used with xanthan solutions, the fluid is subjected to high velocity and a high level of shear. On some occasions, when not properly applied, it has been observed that this can have direct and measurable consequences:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2022 Degradation of the xanthan structure<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2022 Irreversible loss of viscosity<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2022 Changes in the rheological behaviour of the detergent<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2022 Process instability and variability in the final product<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Although it is difficult to break down the rheological properties of xanthan, it can sometimes happen. The result: the final product is no longer what was originally formulated. And this requires adjustments, corrections and, often, reprocessing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/vakkimsa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/07\/1778681702268-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-24007\" srcset=\"https:\/\/vakkimsa.com\/fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/07\/1778681702268-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/vakkimsa.com\/fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/07\/1778681702268-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/vakkimsa.com\/fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/07\/1778681702268-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/vakkimsa.com\/fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/07\/1778681702268.png 1488w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Progressive cavity pump makes the difference<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The Piton\u00ae helical pump is designed to protect the product throughout its journey<\/strong>. Its operating principle is based on progressive, controlled displacement, without unnecessary mechanical stress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In applications such as detergency, where hygiene and production capacity are decisive, our \ud835\ude00\ud835\uddee\ud835\uddfb\ud835\uddf6\ud835\ude01\ud835\uddee\ud835\uddff\ud835\ude06 range \u2014with models such as our \ud835\udddc\ud835\uddd4 \ud835\udde0\ud835\uddfc\ud835\uddfb\ud835\uddfc\ud835\uddef\ud835\uddf9\ud835\uddfc\ud835\uddf0\u2014 offers a specific response to the demands of the sector:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2022 Flow rates of up to 100,000 L\/H, adapted to high-volume lines<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2022 Compact design that takes up less floor space, making integration into existing or new installations easier<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/vakkimsa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/07\/1778682169981-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-24008\" srcset=\"https:\/\/vakkimsa.com\/fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/07\/1778682169981-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/vakkimsa.com\/fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/07\/1778682169981-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/vakkimsa.com\/fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/07\/1778682169981-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/vakkimsa.com\/fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/07\/1778682169981.png 1488w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What does this mean in practice?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2714Smooth, continuous fluid movement<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2714 Low shear level, preserving the xanthan structure<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2714 Conservation of the product&#8217;s rheological properties<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2714 Stable flow rate, independent of viscosity<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2714 Good suction, even with dense or loaded fluids<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This keeps the product&#8217;s properties fully intact from formulation through to the final filling or dosing point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why choose a positive displacement pump for detergent formulation with xanthan?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the detergency industry, xanthan is used as a thickening and stabilising agent in liquid detergents, fabric softeners, surface cleaners and gel cleaning products. In all these cases, <strong>rheological consistency is critical<\/strong>: the consumer expects a homogeneous product with the right viscosity and predictable dosing behaviour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Where a helical pump is typically used in these processes:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2022 Transfer of hydrated xanthan solutions to mixing tanks<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2022 Precise dosing of the thickening base in continuous production lines<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2022 Recirculation of viscous blends with surfactants, colorants or fragrances<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2022 Feeding filling lines where product consistency is critical<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What it brings to the production process:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2714Preserves the xanthan structure and therefore the final viscosity of the detergent<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2714Maintains a constant flow rate, even when the formulation changes from batch to batch<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2714Enables precise and repeatable dosing<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2714Better handles formulations loaded with particles or suspended solids<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2714Reduces batch-to-batch variability and improves process traceability<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Greater stability in detergent production: a progressive cavity pump eliminates xanthan degradation, reduces variability and optimises the process.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Optimisation is often found where least expected<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When we talk about industrial optimisation, we often think of major formulation changes or new ingredients. But many times, the key lies in a much more discreet point: <strong>how the product moves within the plant.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A suitable pumping system can completely transform process behaviour:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2022 Reduces variability between production runs<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2022 Avoids quality losses due to xanthan degradation<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2022 Minimises reprocessing and out-of-spec batches<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2022 Optimises energy consumption<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2022 Improves overall process control and finished product consistency<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In short, it turns a problem into <strong>an opportunity for continuous improvement<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because in the world of formulation and process, what matters is not only how the product is formulated\u2026 \ud835\uddef\ud835\ude02\ud835\ude01 \ud835\uddf5\ud835\uddfc\ud835\ude04 \ud835\uddf6\ud835\ude01 \ud835\uddf6\ud835\ude00 \ud835\uddf5\ud835\uddee\ud835\uddfb\ud835\uddf1\ud835\uddf9\ud835\uddf2\ud835\uddf1 \ud835\uddee\ud835\ude01 \ud835\uddf2\ud835\ude03\ud835\uddf2\ud835\uddff\ud835\ude06 \ud835\ude00\ud835\ude01\ud835\uddf2\ud835\uddfd \ud835\uddfc\ud835\uddf3 \ud835\ude01\ud835\uddf5\ud835\uddf2 \ud835\uddfd\ud835\uddff\ud835\uddfc\ud835\uddf0\ud835\uddf2\ud835\ude00\ud835\ude00.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you want to learn more about our <strong>Piton\u00ae Helical Pumps, <\/strong>please <a href=\"https:\/\/vakkimsa\/en\/contactar\/\"><strong>contact us<\/strong><\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"http:\/\/vakkimsa.com\/\"><strong>vakkimsa.com<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In many cases, what is happening has nothing to do with the recipe.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":24009,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"editor_notices":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[102],"tags":[100,104,94,96,107,108],"class_list":["post-24010","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-article","tag-highshear","tag-highviscosity","tag-pitonpumps","tag-pumpselection","tag-shearrate","tag-xanthan"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vakkimsa.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24010","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vakkimsa.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vakkimsa.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vakkimsa.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vakkimsa.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24010"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/vakkimsa.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24010\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24011,"href":"https:\/\/vakkimsa.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24010\/revisions\/24011"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vakkimsa.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/24009"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vakkimsa.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24010"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vakkimsa.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24010"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vakkimsa.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24010"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}