USPoultry holds successful 2024 Women's Leadership Conference

September 11, 2024 - In a series of impactful presentations, industry experts shared their wisdom on navigating leadership, stress management, team building and financial planning at the 2024 USPoutry's Women's Leadership Conference. The conference offered attendees a diverse lineup of speakers aimed at advancing career growth and development for women leaders in any industry, not just poultry and egg. The sessions provided a deep dive into essential leadership skills, equipping attendees with the tools necessary for success.

The panel, 'Leading While Living: How Do Leaders Do It All?' featured Dr Chris Fritts, Alicia Helle and Kerry Fohner, who shared insights on navigating leadership roles while managing personal challenges. Dr Fritts, Head of Global Vaccination Technologies and Services at Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA, highlighted overcoming early career barriers, including skepticism from colleagues. Helle, Senior Planning Manager at Cooper Farms, who transitioned from graphic design to management, emphasised the importance of confidence and managing imposter syndrome. Fohner, Senior Director, QA/FS Prepared Foods at Wayne-Sanderson Farms, discussed overcoming initial career hurdles and the need for balance between work and life. The panel also addressed issues such as the value of mentorship, flexibility and communication.

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Dr Tami West, a stress expert and motivational speaker, pointed out the significance of finding joy amidst turmoil and rethinking our perception of stress. West emphasised embracing opportunities, the power of mentoring and staying true to oneself, while challenging the notion that validation comes from suffering. She encouraged individuals to seek balance, recognising that everyone is at different stages in life and deserves support and self-care regardless of their struggles.

In her presentation on building trust within teams, Lisa Burdick, head of Human Resources at Pilgrim's, outlined the essential qualities of high-performing teams, remarking that trust is the most critical element. She stressed the importance of team building for improving retention, performance and showcasing individual skill sets. Underscoring that trust elevates team performance and cohesion, Burdick concluded her presentation with Simon Sinek's quote, "A team is not a group of people who work together. It is a group of people who trust each other."

Jennifer Trusty, Managing Director at BMO Wealth Management, highlighted critical financial considerations for women leaders, emphasising longevity, income disparity and widowhood, mentioning that on average, women live six years longer than men. She advised building a robust financial foundation by establishing an emergency fund, contributing regularly to retirement accounts and automating savings.

For more information, visit HERE.

The Global Miller
This blog is maintained by The Global Miller staff and is supported by the magazine Milling and Grain
which is published by Perendale Publishers Limited.

Solasta Bio completes $14 million Series A to accelerate nature-inspired crop protection

September 11, 2024 - Solasta Bio, a leading agri-biotech company specialising in the next generation of green insecticides, have completed an oversubscribed $14 million Series A funding round to accelerate the development of its unique peptide-based, nature-inspired bio insecticides - the first of their kind to be developed worldwide.

Shireen Davies, CEO co-founder, SOLASTA Bio

The investment round was led by Forbion via its BioEconomy fund strategy, with co-lead investment from agricultural strategies FMC Ventures (FMC Corporation) and Corteva Catalyst (Corteva Inc). Participation from existing investors included Cavallo Ventures (Wilbur-Ellis), Rubio Impact Ventures, Scottish Enterprise, UKi2S, SIS Ventures and University of Glasgow, brining the total raised to date to $19 million. In the contest of this round Joy Faucher from Forbion will join the company's board of directors.

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Series A funding follows a successful 2023 trial season in which Solasta Bio's unique insect control agents demonstrated efficacy on par or better than commercial standards across 20+ fields trials on multiple crops in Europe, the UK and US.

Established in 2021, Glasgow-based Solasta Bio has developed the world's first technology platform for creating insect control agents that are nature-inspired rather than selected from a synthetic chemistry library. As well as meeting the efficacy standards of current chemicals on the market, these environmentally friendly agents address a growing global need for effective crop protection by selectively targeting insect pests while protecting beneficial pollinators such as bees. Solasta Bio's platform can be mobilised for any pest of interest, across both crop and non-crop applications such as stored grain.

With the investment round secured, Solasta Bio will continue to advance its technology platform and pipeline of insect control agents, targeting a $27 billion annual market opportunity. In parallel, the business will continue to build out its US operations, having already established a base in North Carolina, expand its real-world field trials across key geographies, scale-up its biomanufacturing capabilities and further develop strategic opportunities including applications beyond crop use.

The company is targeting market entry as early as 2027 - at least half the time traditionally then by synthetic pest control products - demonstrating a significant advantage of the platform technology.

Solasta Bio is co-founded by CEO Shireen Davies and CSO Professor Julian Dow and brings together a leadership team of technical and agrochemical industry specialists including Daphne Preuss, Paula Pinto, David Armour and Rob Wylie.

With the urgent need to protect pollinators and wildlife, while boosting agricultural productivity, Solasta Bio aims to play a leading role in the transition towards sustainable crop protection. The global insecticides market is currently dominated by synthetic chemicals accounting for 94 percent of insect control solutions. While 75 percent of food crops and dependent on pollinator insects, other insects cause enormous social, health and economic damage accounting for at leat $70 billion in US crop losses alone. However, the insecticides market is under increasing pressure from widespread insect resistance, lack of species specificity, increasing regulatory controls and consumer preferences for non-chemical residues.

Shireen Davies PhD, FRSE, CEO and Co-Founder, Solasta Bio, commented:

"Solasta Bio has come a long way since we set out on this journey three years ago. Having established operations in the UK and US, we've now got an international team with outstanding competencies in technology and agribusinesses and, importantly, we have developed our unique technology platform to address grower pain points. The results of our field trials have been hugely encouraging, demonstrating high efficacy of biopeptides against target insect pests, as effective or better than standard insecticides. With Series A now secured, it's time for Solasta Bio to kick on to the next level and successfully hit our targets for commercialisation."

Joy Faucher, Partner at Forbion BioEconomy, commented:

"As traditional insect control agents struggle with resistance and impact to biodiversity, Solasta is poised to revolutionise the crop protection market at a critical time, wit a cost-effective, sustainable and high-efficacy alternative that can be adopted seamlessly by farmers. The team's deep expertise in insect neuropeptide modalities, their differentiated tech platform and proven real-world data provide a unique position to launch a series of first-in-class products that can redefine the agriculture industry."

Mark Brooks, Managing Director, FMC Ventures, commented:

"Solasta's nature-inspired approach to insect control is a game changer in crop protection. Their approach addresses the critical issue of insect resistance while also supporting the goal of preserving pollinators and biodiversity. We have been in contact with Solasta for a long time, assessing their potential to benefit crop protection. FMC Ventures is proud to co-lead this funding round and accelerate progress towards more sustainable inputs in crop protection."

Tom Greene, Senior Director and Global Leader, Corteva Catalyst, commented:

"Solasta is a critical player in the rapidly expanding market for nature-inspired crop health products - particularly in the peptide technology space. They are driving the type of sustainable innovation necessary to advance the next generation of biological and naturally inspired crop protection technologies, and Corteva Catalyst is pleased to stand alongside Solasta as a co-lead investor in this funding round."

For more information, visit HERE.

The Global Miller
This blog is maintained by The Global Miller staff and is supported by the magazine Milling and Grain
which is published by Perendale Publishers Limited.

DLG expands exhibition portfolio in North America with acquisition of Underhill Enterprise Inc

September 10, 2024 - DLG (German Agricultural Society) has announced that it has acquired, with immediate effect, the North American trade fair organiser Underhill Enterprise Inc (UEI) based in Ontario, Canada, and organiser of Canadian Dairy XPO (CDX), the leading exhibition for the Canadian dairy industry. An important part of DLG's international strategy for trade fairs, events, international networks and projects in agricultural and food sectors, the acquisition serves to strengthen DLG's offering to farming professionals in the North American market.

The North American trade fair business, UEI, acquired by the DLG will be integrated into 'DLG North America', a new DLG subsidiary based in Toronto, Canada, and set up in July 2024 to manage DLG's activities on the North American continent. The management team of UEI will now work for DLG North America, including its founder, Jordon Underhill. A key aim of the DLG, is to further knowledge among farmers primarily through international networking platforms like Canadian Dairy XPO, an essential part of the acquisition. 

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"The acquisition of UEI and the establishment of DLG North America are groundbreaking steps in our international strategy. We look forward to strengthening our commitment to farming professionals in North America and to further promoting the exchange of knowledge and innovation in the agricultural sector worldwide," says Jens Kremer, Managing Director of DLG International, responsible for DLG's international business development.

"With UEI and its founder Jordon Underhill, we are partnering with a true visionary a committed entrepreneur who, as a bovine farmer himself, knows the target groups extremely well. Jordon Underhill and his team have successfully developed the Canadian Dairy XPO, an annual exhibition he founded, into the most important industry, meeting place in Canada in just 10 years. We look forward to continuing this work with Jordon," added Kremer.

Together with the team of UEI and its founder Jordon Underhill, DLG North America aims to develop further the Canadian Dairy XPO (CDX) and to bridge the gap between North America and Europe. The DLG will be adding not only its agricultural know-how and international networks but also its exhibition expertise, drawing on its 30 agricultural trade fairs worldwide, including EuroTier, the world's leading trade fair for livestock technologies held in Germany. 

Canadian Dairy XPO (CDX) complements trade fair portfolio for animal husbandry technology

Showcasing technical dairy innovations, the Canadian Dairy XPO (CDX) is the leading trade fair for the Canadian dairy farming industry. CDX, which attracts 350 exhibitors and more than 17,000 visitors, will play a central role in DLG's global portfolio and act as a bridge between the North American market and other international agricultural markets.

"I am excited about this transition and how this will benefit Canadian dairy farmers. I have collaborated with the DLG since 2018 and have been impressed by DLG's international networks and its exhibition expertise, particularly as organiser of the world's leading trade fairs EuroTier for animal husbandry technology and livestock management and Agritechnica for agricultural machinery. DLG's international agriculture knowledge will enable CDX to offer its exhibitions and visitors the opportunity to connect even more closely with international markets and innovations. I'm extremely proud of the North American dairy industry and what it stands for," says Jordon Underhill.

DLG to launch new Dairy Exhibition in the US

With the experienced team of Underhill Inc and the new DLG leadership, a new trade fair and B2B platform for US dairy farmers, will be launched in 2025. Celebrating its premiere in Burlington, Vermont, USA in November next year, the new trade fair will present technical innovations from exhibitors and practical farming know-how from the DLG and professional partners.

Since 2010, the DLG has been active in several agricultural projects in North America with focus on trade fairs and events as well as exhibitor and visitor promotion for Agritechnica and EuroTier. Last year, the DLG opened a representative office in Saskatchewan, Canada.

For more information, visit HERE.

The Global Miller
This blog is maintained by The Global Miller staff and is supported by the magazine Milling and Grain
which is published by Perendale Publishers Limited.

Private-public partnerships are key to agrifood systems transformation

September 10, 2024 - The Food and Agriculture Organisations of the United Nations (FAO) is encouraging private-sector investments and private-public partnerships to make agrifood systems more efficient, more inclusive, more resilient and more sustainable, Director-General QU Dongyu told the Partnerships and Investment Forum in Tashkent.

The forum brought together representatives from the public and private sectors. Uzbekistan's Minister for Agriculture, Ibrokhim Abdurakhmanov, also delivered opening remarks as the meeting's host.

The underlying aim remains the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG1 (No Poverty), SDG2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG10 (Reduced Inequalities).

"This requires strong political will, concrete actions, targeted investments and strategic partnerships," Qu said in his opening remarks.

Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) such as Uzbekistan face particular challenges due to their geography, especially high transportation, logistics and infrastructure costs. By leveraging the strengths and resources of a wide range of partners, LLDCS can overcome structural constraints, enhance their agricultural productivity, and achieve economic growth. 

Governments and policymakers can assist private sector investments in agrifood systems by providing a supportive environment that is stable, predictable and inclusive.

"FAO, for its part, is working closely with a wide range of partners to mobilise private sector investment by attracting and channelling targeted investments based on science and evidence-based information showing where investment is needed the most and where it will have impact at scale," Qu said.

Examples of initiatives that FAO presented at the September 5-6, 2024, International Forum on Land Locked Developing Countries include its Hand-in-Hand Initiative, a country-owned and country-led initiative prioritising the most vulnerable countries, including LLDCs.

"October's Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum will see LLDCs present their investment plans to international financial institutions, the private sector and resource partners," Qu said.

Another instrument presented at the forum is the Public-private partnerships in the agrifood sector - referred to as Agri PPPS.

The benefits of Agri PPPs include pooling resources to reduce risks, while increasing productivity and economic growth. Agri PPPs are particularly relevant to LLDCs, where governments face limited resources and expertise.

FAO and the Investment Centre

The Director-General noted that 2024 is an important year for FAO as it marks the 60 Anniversary of the FAO Investment Centre's partnership with the World Bank.

By connecting members and financial partners, the FAO Investment Centre applies the knowledge and expertise of the Organisation to support an enabling environment for effective policy and investments.

Since its establishment, the Centre has increased the number and range of partners, and in July this year, FAO committed to two major partnership initiatives that are crucial to transforming agrifood systems in developing countries, including LLDCs. These are the G20 Global Alliance against Poverty and Hunger - for which the support mechanism will be hosted at FAO and in Brasilia; and the Global Partnership for the Vision and Adapted Crops and Soils initiative (VACS), which seeks to build resilient agrifood systems grounded in diverse, nutritious and climate-adapted crops grown in healthy, fertile soils. 

"FAO is committed to continuing working with all partners for better production, better nutrition, a better evironment and a better life, leaving no one behind - including in the LLDCs," Qu told the forum.

For more information, visit HERE.

The Global Miller
This blog is maintained by The Global Miller staff and is supported by the magazine Milling and Grain
which is published by Perendale Publishers Limited.

Minister for Africa pledges funding to accelerate growth in Africa agriculture sector

September 10, 2024 - Africa Minister Lord Collins has announced UK backing for a new investment facility that will accelerate the growth of Africa's food and agriculture sector.

During his keynote speech at the Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF) 2024, Lord Collins committed to providing £25 million for AgDevCo, a UK-based social impact investor dedicated to investing in African agribusinesses.

In the face of conflict and climate change, communities across Africa are grappling with high levels of hunger and malnutrition. In Sub-Saharan Africa, one in four and undernourished. Investing in Africa's food markets is a crucial means of working with farmers, helping those at the forefront of the climate crisis and moving towards a world free from poverty.

The UK's contribution is expected to yield an increase in income of £128 million for the farmers who benefit by 2036.

The Minister for Africa, Lord Collins of Highbury said:

"Improving food markets will have a game changing impact on individuals and families across Africa. Giving hard working farmers stable incomes, creating jobs for the youth and helping end malnutrition.

"Without access to funding, no matter the drive and ingenuity, too many businesses can't get off the ground.

"That's why I'm pleased to announce that the UK intends to back a new $50 million facility called AgDevCo Ventures. The UK will put in over half the funds, with AgDevCo collecting funds from other investors. AgDevCo's funding and expertise will enable early-stage African agribusinesses to grow and increase Africa's resilience to climate change."

This funding will support the creation of AgDevCo Ventures, which will channel early-stage investment into small and medium-sized enterprises working within Africa's agriculture sector. The UK government is contributing over half of the funds with matching contributions being raised from other investors, resulting in $50 million overall for the planned launch of AgDevCo Ventures in early 2025.

The new funding facility will work with small agricultural enterprises across Africa, with a particular focus on African owned and managed businesses.

Daniel Hulls, CEO of AgDevCo said:

"We are very grateful for the continued collaboration with the UK government.

"This funding will allow us to leverage third-party capital and go back to investing in small, early-stage businesses.

"We are very excited about developing a new AgDevCo Ventures portfolio, and expect it to be high impact, deliver jobs and increased rural incomes by building the next generation of African agri-SMEs."

There is evidence that small to medium-sized enterprises lack the financing options necessary to scale up. As a result, the UK is working alongside partners to pioneer new ways to finance agribusiness and mobilise other investors.

The demand for food and animal feed in Africa is projected to triple between 2010 and 2050, with the demand for food globally set to increase by 50 percent. UK investment will look to improve both African and global food and nutrition security by enabling enterprises in the agriculture sector to be better able to cater to the rising demand.

For more information, visit HERE.

The Global Miller
This blog is maintained by The Global Miller staff and is supported by the magazine Milling and Grain
which is published by Perendale Publishers Limited.

2024 Live Production, Welfare and Biosecurity Seminar to address bird welfare, biosecurity and production efficiencies

September 9, 2024 - The poultry industry has long faced various challenges and opportunities, but one issue that remains at the forefront is bird welfare. This year, the National Chicken Council, National Turkey Federation, United Egg Producers and US Poultry & Egg Association are joining forces again for the 2024 Live Production, Welfare and Biosecurity Seminar. Scheduled for October 3-4 at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Downtown in Nashville, Tennessee, this seminar aims to address these ongoing concerns.

"Production efficiencies, welfare and biosecurity best practices are ongoing priorities for those involved in live production. Attendees will come away with the latest information, resources, tools and best practices to make informed decisions on managing their operations and protecting the health and welfare of broilers, layers, turkeys and ducks," said Rusty Langle, Live Operations Manager at Peco Foods and Planning Committee Chair.

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The seminar will bring together industry managers, veterinarians and scientists to explore poultry sustainability. Key topics will include highly pathogenic avian influenza and other disease updates, water sanitation, disposal methods, alternative housing and more.

The agenda, crafted by a diverse program committee, including live production managers, poultry health professionals and university professors, is set to arm production managers and veterinarians with the necessary tools toward more efficient operations. The committee includes Will Dillard, Peco Foods Inc; Dr Claudia Dunkley, University of Georgia; Rusty Langle, Peco Foods Inc and Prorgam Committee Chair; Heidi Parnin, Culver Duck Farms Inc; Dr Casey Ritz, University of Georgia; Travis Strickland, Farbest Farms Inc; and Stephen Williams, Butterball LLC.

The Professional Animal Auditor Certification Organisation grants 10.5 CE credit hours for this seminar. To view the full agenda, register for the Live Production, Welfare and Biosecurity Seminar and reserve your hotel room, visit HERE.

The Global Miller
This blog is maintained by The Global Miller staff and is supported by the magazine Milling and Grain
which is published by Perendale Publishers Limited.

Croptunity wins INFINITY Champion Prize at Ingenuity Impact 2024 Awards

September 9, 2024 - Croptunity, an agritech startup dedicated to revolutionising sustainable farming through cutting-edge technology, has been awarded the INFINITY Champion Prize at the 2024 Ingenuity Impact Awards. By integrating AI-driven crop management tools with blockchain technology, Croptunity provides farmers with the tools they need to optimise their operations, enhance sustainability and increase profitability. The platform's innovative use of tokenisation and real-world asset (RWA) management positions it at the forefront of digital transformation in agriculture, addressing key challenges such as climate change and resource allocation.

The award, presented by the Inclusive Financial Technology Hub (INFINITY), recognises Croptunity's contributions to inclusive financial technology and its potential to transform the agricultural sector.

Croptunity, led by Nithin Jayaprakash, Justine Sebastian, Joel Jolly and Mathew Jose, stood out among competitive field of entrants for its unique approach to empowering farmers through technology.

"We are incredibly honoured to receive the INIFINITY Champion Prize at the Ingenuity Impact 2024 Awards," said Nithin Jayaprakash, Co-Founder of Croptunity. "This recognition validates our vision of harnessing the power of technology to create a more sustainable and inclusive future for agriculture. We believe that Croptunity can play a pivotal role in transforming the farming industry, not just in the UK but globally."

The startup's innovate platform aligns with INFINITY's mission to catalyse the growth of university-inspired financial technology ventures, supported by Research England's Connecting Capability Fund.

Croptunity's victory at the Ingenuity Impact Awards marks a significant milestone in the startup's journey, setting the stage for further development and expansion. With the INFINITY Champion Prize, Croptunity plans to accelerate research into tokenisation, AI and IoT technologies, and scale its platform to address global challenges into sustainable agriculture.

For more information, visit HERE.

The Global Miller
This blog is maintained by The Global Miller staff and is supported by the magazine Milling and Grain
which is published by Perendale Publishers Limited.

Food processing: fast, reliable smoke detection for even the dustiest settings

September 6, 2024 - For food processors that use a dust collection system - the dustiest location in any plant - early smoke detection is critical to quickly suppress potential fires. The challenge is that voluminous dust and particulates from various powders, compounds and processes used in the industry can be confused with some by most traditional, passive, smoke detection systems, which can trigger ongoing alarms. Resolving these alarms often requires excessive troubleshooting and maintenance to keep the system functional. When this is the case, prevalent nuisance alarms may compromise safety.

Although virtually all food processing facilities deal with some level of dust, there is no more daunting environment that illustrates the need for advanced detection systems than inside a dust collection system. Fortunately, even within this dustiest of environments, aspirating smoke detection (ASD) technology can be an effective option.

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According to Khaleel Rehman, Director of Development for Honeywell's advanced detection fire team, advanced ASD systems can significantly reduce false alarms and maintenance while increasing safety by detecting smoke at the earliest possible stage via numerous sampling points. The process draws in air through durable piping and analyses it using sophisticated laser-based technology, imaging and photodiodes technology.

Continuous air sampling drawn from the protected area through the pipe network to the sensing unit provides the fastest possible smoke detection rates. In doing so, the system effectively distinguishes between actual smoke and dust or particulates to all but eliminate nuisance alarms. This core technology has been used for decades in sensitive applications such as cleanrooms and data centres where early smoke detection is critical.

Although these systems are quite flexible, many food processing plants use different powders, particulates and processes in varying volumes with unique facility layouts. It is important to consider engaging a partner that can design the system to fit a plant's specific needs.

Extreme dust: a smoke detection and maintenance challenge

One particular production process generates excess powder, which is directed to a dust collection system consisting of large-diameter ducting and paper-based filter media before clean air is vented outdoors.

The dust accumulates quickly and abundantly inside the ducting and can easily overwhelm the filters. This required excessive inspection and frequent maintenance to keep the system fully operational, according to Mike Angstadt, President of Palmetto, Florida-based Flagship Fire Inc, whose company was hired to improve the system's fire safety. The company provides special hazards fire suppression, control and detection solutions for unique, high value industrial assets.

Joseph Albert, Project Manager at Flagship Fire Inc notes, "When technicians would do routine maintenance every few months of sections of ducting, they would bang the sections with a rubber mallet to remove several inches of dust that accumulated inside of this duct work."

According to Angstadt, the dust laden, paper-based filter media would also periodically catch fire when ignited by a stray spark. The plant tase Flagship Fire to improve smoke detection and fire safety within the dust collection system.

"Even though the deflagration index of the dust is low enough that providing explosion protection is not required, the plant sought greater safety with early smoke detection and fire suppression inside the dust collection system," says Angstadt.

As a solution, Flagship Fire specified an ASD system called VESDA-E VEU by Honeywell, a global leader in fire and life safety products. The ASD system draws air samples in a continuous process through holes in durable industrial pipe mounted along the walls and ceiling. The VESDA-E VEU analyses the air in a flair detection chamber that uses a short wavelength laser, a CMOS imager and multiple photodiodes that can distinguish between smoke and dust, minimising false alarms. The system is cross zoned with thermal detectors inside the dust collection filter area.

"With this arrangement, plant operators can manually discharge the high-pressure, CO2 fire suppression agent as needed, or if an incident occurred after hours and no one was present, the plant's VESDA system, cross zoned with thermal device, will automatically discharge to suppress the fire," says Angstadt.

Some minor adjustments were also required to increase system reliability. Since the ASD system draws in air, it does not require direct airflow into the analyser. In fact, too much airflow could affect the results, so Flagship Fire angled the VESDA air sampling points away from the most voluminous air flow sources. 

According to Angstadt, the VESDA smoke detection system has performed well since the installation, in conjunction with the thermal device and automatic CO2 fire suppression system. This arrangement has not only minimised false alarms caused by particulates in the dust collection system but also helped improve plant safety by enabling smoke detection at the earliest possible stages of a fire.

Today, when food processors must reduce fire risk in a dust collection apparatus, advanced ASD systems are an effective early warning smoke detection tool that can substantially increase safety while reducing maintenance and nuisance alarms. 

For more information contact Dawn Wotapka, Director of External Communications at Honeywell, 715 Peachtree Street, N.E., Atlanta, GA 30308; email: dawn.wotapka@honeywell.com.

The Global Miller
This blog is maintained by The Global Miller staff and is supported by the magazine Milling and Grain
which is published by Perendale Publishers Limited.

Brenntag opens new facility for Animal Nutrition

September 5, 2024 - Brenntag, the global market leader in chemicals and ingredients distribution, today announced the opening of a new facility for Animal Nutrition solution products. The production includes Animal Nutrition products based on 'Neubacid Soft' technology, allowing feed producers to no longer have to compromise between safety and efficacy but helping animal performance and fitting in non-antibiotic diets.

The state-of-the-art facility was competed in July 2024 and started full-scale operations in September. The site in Mouscron is in a strategically valuable geographical location: logistically well connected - close to ports and highways - and close to the customers, in the heart of the region to be supplied. While mixing and blending capabilities have now been consolidated in Mouscron, the site in Grez-en-Bouére, France, will also continue to operate as a central storage hub for the French Animal Nutrition sector.

The Mouscron facility significantly enhances Brenntag's flexibility and capacity, leading to improved delivery capabilities and larger purchasing volumes - particularly advantageous in times of raw material shortages. The new facility has been built to the highest quality standards and has already received GMP+ certification, ensuring that all operational processes meet the stringent requirements of the Animal Nutrition industry.

"Our new state of the art Animal Nutrition facility allows us to fulfil the needs of our customers in France, BeNeLux, UK & Ireland and DACH region quantitatively and qualitatively and not only today, but also in the future," explains Wouter Vullings, Director Animal Nutrition EMEA at Brenntag. 

For more information, visit HERE.

The Global Miller
This blog is maintained by The Global Miller staff and is supported by the magazine Milling and Grain
which is published by Perendale Publishers Limited.

Open innovation hits its stride at Novus

September 5, 2024 - Gaurav Shah recently joined Novus as the new Associate Director of Innovation and Business Development. He is responsible for routing Novus' innovation pipeline and strategy in the newly created role.

Gaurav Shah

"While we're working internally on new projects, services and solutions, we know there is a whole world of innovation beyond our labs," says Associate Vice President of Global Strategic Marketing, Technology and Innovation Abishek Shingote. "It's not enough for us to say we will be innovative; we have to do it. Gaurav's focus is on business development that will drive new growth and support our customers globally."

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At Novus, Shah is updating the company's innovation capabilities by leveraging its open innovation model.

"Something that can slow down innovation is being stuck in your competencies or feeling the need to fully own new competencies before developing something," Shah says. "With open innovation, the goal is to work closely with start-ups, universities, established companies and even customers that are already competent in what we want to do. We're joining forces with those partners to deliver value to the industry."

Understanding that new ideas, technology and services can come from many different places, Shah says Novus is looking for partnerships that match its strategic interests: animal nutrition and health feed additives that lead to better performance.

"Novus has a good track record of delivering disruptive technology - lie the first liquid methionine, the first bis-chelated trace minerals, and now embedding functional additives in corn kernels with INTERIUS technology," he says. "So, finding partners that can help us deliver something new through INTERIUS technology is certainly a goal."

Shah says for Novus innovation is not a "good to have" it's a "need to have" and that the new open innovation platform coupled with his efforts to connect the company to external partners will mean big things for customers and the feed additive industry in the years to come.

"The fact that we're investing in new and expanded technologies and that we've created a very clear structure to evaluate ideas and partnerships and bring products to market shows Novus is serious about innovation. We're ready to talk with others who are too."

Shah comes to the leader in intelligent nutrition after serving as business development manager for BioResource International Inc (BRI), and as a Global Director of the Feed Digestibility Category at Adisseo. His education includes a master's degree in microbial biotechnology from North Carolina State University (US) and a post-graduate degree in patent law and intellectual property.

For more information, visit HERE.

The Global Miller
This blog is maintained by The Global Miller staff and is supported by the magazine Milling and Grain
which is published by Perendale Publishers Limited.

Novus at WDE 2024: Feed cost savings and why you should treat your cow like a Camaro

September 4, 2024 - Dairy experts at Novus are hoping to repeat last year's standing-room-only crowd for two Knowledge Nook sessions at World Dairy Expo, October 1-4 in Madison, Wisconsin.

Dr Sarah Stocks

"Last year's paced room proved we have the experience and knowledge the industry is interested in," says Mark Moran, Novus Commercial Director for North America. "This year's topics are just as timely and will be just as timely and will be just as beneficial for session attendees."

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Find the Next Bump in Your Paycheck - October 2

Sarah Stocks, PhD, Novus Technical Services Manager will share how understanding a herd's 'income over feed costs' can help take the burn out of an unpredictable market and even provide a better payout.

"When farmers use every tool in their toolbox we see that they are ultimately saving money. This is especially true for farmers who use the right feed additives," she says. "Whether it's savings due to a reduction in feed intake or being able to plant fewer acres because they're feeding less forage, when you couple those changes with improved milk and component yield, that makes a difference in profitability."

Stocks will present 'Find the Next Bump in Your Paycheck' at 1:30pm on October 2 in the atrium of the Exhibition Hall at World Dairy Expo.

Sports Cars vs Farm Trucks: Maintaining Cows like the Top Performers They Are - October 3

Modern dairy cows are bred for maximum performance. So why do most farm personnel continue to treat these 'Camaros' like old pick-up trucks? During this session, Clemence Nash, PhD, Executive Technical Services Manager and COWS Program Lead, will share how improvements in genetics and nutrition have changed today's cows and what farmers and nutritionists need to do to truly optimise performance and get the most out of their cows.

"To put it bluntly, we're burning cows out rather than maintaining their performance," says Nash. "We have data from over 1500 farms in the US as part of our on-farm assessment called the COWS Program. The data tells us that while cow potential has improved greatly in the last 50 years, cow management often has now."

While facility management does make a difference in cow performance, Nash says being able to give cows the tune-ups they need and when they need them also makes a difference.

"Genetically, today's cows have great potential, but they don't handle speed bumps well," she says. "We've seen what transition management can do for a farm's success."

Nash will present her session 'Sports Cars vs Farm Trucks: Maintaining Cows like the Top Performers They Are', at 11:30am on Thursday, October 3 in the atrium of the Exhibition Hall.

Expo attendees can visit the Novus booth, #4317-4319 at the Alliant Energy Center Exhibition Hall, to speak with Drs Stocks and Nash, and other Novus dairy experts about how intelligent nutrition can help to get more from cows.

World Dairy Expo serves as a forum for dairy producers, companies, organisations and other dairy enthusiasts to come together to compete, and to exchange ideas, knowledge, technology and commerce.

For more information, visit HERE.

The Global Miller
This blog is maintained by The Global Miller staff and is supported by the magazine Milling and Grain
which is published by Perendale Publishers Limited.

New Fab Flour website launched: helping guide home bakers using key ingredient

September 4, 2024 - UK Flour Millers has unveiled its new redesign and revamped Fab Flour website this week, elevating the home baking experience for bakers across the country. The website features useful tools to bolster cooking at home.

UK Flour Millers is the trade association for flour millers across the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland. Its consumer-facing website, Fab Flour, has become established as a trusted resource for both home chefs and the wider food industry. The new website features a sleek, user-friendly design and introduces tools such as pre-set baking timers, easy conversion charts and an editable serving size calculator, making baking and cooking more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

"The new Fab Flour website it a vital tool for home bakers, with a variety of recipes that make cooking both fun and educational," said Alistair Gale, Chief Executive of UK Flour Millers. "Our goal with this major website refresh has been to enhance the home baking experience with an array of new features; we're making it easier for everyone to enjoy their time in the kitchen."

Focusing on the power of flour, Mr Gale remarked: "We also take the opportunity to highlight the critical role flour plays in our diets and daily lives. So great tasting recipes are easily at hand, along with easy to access essential flour facts and nutritional information."

The new Fab Flour website offers a seamless and intuitive experience, catering to both novice and seasoned home chefs. Its modern interface not only makes it easier to navigate but also enhances the user experience by offering streamlined access to recipes, tips and resources.

Fab Flour's website redesign focuses on making baking more accessible, helping users quickly find the information they need, while exploring new culinary possibilities. This enhanced functionality, along with retaining and reorganising the fantastic facts about flour that have been a staple of the organisation since 1956, positions Fab Flour as an indispensable resource for anyone interested in baking and education, whether they're looking to perfect a classic recipe or try something new.

The importance of flour cannot be overstated - it is an ingredient that provides 20 percent of people's daily energy intake, 30 percent of the calcium, fibre and iron consumed, and is found in approximately 30 percent of all foods in UK supermarkets. Every day, flour is used to make 12 million loaves of bread, 5 million packets of biscuits, 4.5 million cakes and buns, and 2 million pizzas, and recipes for these foods and others can be found on Fab Flour's new website. 

With the launch of Fab Flour's new, modern website, both consumers and the industry can benefit from better access to resources and recipes. They will also gain greater awareness of the essential role flour plays in daily life.

For more information, visit HERE.

The Global Miller
This blog is maintained by The Global Miller staff and is supported by the magazine Milling and Grain
which is published by Perendale Publishers Limited.

Esau & Hueber joins Bühler

September 4, 2024 - Swiss technology group Bühler has announced the acquisition of Esau & Hueber, a German company specialising in individual solutions in hygienic process and fermentation technology in the beverage, food, pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors. The acquisition enhances Bühler's malting, brewery and sustainable protein businesses, expanding the company's expertise and capacity in these areas while multiplying the reach of Esau & Hueber's technology across Bühler's global network.

Johannes Wick, CEO of Grains & Food at Bühler

"This acquisition aligns perfectly with our long-term strategic objectives," said Johannes Wick, CEO of Grains & Food business at Bühler. "By leveraging Esau & Hueber's strengths in brewery and sustainable protein areas, we can provide superior solutions to our customers in these sectors." This strategic acquisition is set to fill technological gaps and strengthen Bühler's position as an industry innovator.

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Esau & Hueber is an independently managed manufacturer with 42 employees and supports its clients in all project phases. It designs and builds high-tech facilities and develops advanced processing technology. Esau & Hueber holds strong expertise in yeast and fermentation management, as well as automation. Esau & Hueber will continue to operate from its home in Schrobenhausen.

Bühler Group is a global leading technology company in the fields of food, feed and mobility. Among its areas of expertise, it provides customers worldwide with cutting-edge solutions in malting and brewing. Its technology covers the entire process, from raw material processing to producing the finest malt and beer. Additionally, Bühler's technology can monitor product quality with advanced sensors and automate the production process with digital services.

"We are delighted to welcome Esau & Hueber to Bühler. The acquisition presents a unique opportunity to integrate Esau & Hueber capabilities and better meet the evolving needs of our global customers," said Ian Roberts, CTO at Bühler. "We see many opportunities to multiply their technology with the global reach of our business."

Johannes Schulz-Hess, shareholder of Esau & Hueber, stated: "I am thrilled for the Esau & Hueber team. The recent successful developments within the company and its capabilities are now opening up entirely new dimensions and opportunities through the association with Bühler. This step will also greatly benefit our customers and create new market potential."

The integration of Esau & Hueber will commence immediately, with specialised teams from both companies working closely to ensure a seamless integration process.

For more information, visit HERE.

The Global Miller
This blog is maintained by The Global Miller staff and is supported by the magazine Milling and Grain
which is published by Perendale Publishers Limited.

Top-class international technical program at EuroTier 2024

September 3, 2024 - The high level of visitor and exhibitor interest in EuroTier 2024 continues. In mid-August, the world's leading trade fair for professional animal husbandry and livestock management recorded its 2100 exhibitor registration. Taking place in Hanover, Germany, from November 12-15, 2024, the trade fair will be offering its visitors a comprehensive exhibitor and technical program on 220,000m² of exhibition space. Companies and organisations from 55 countries will be presenting solutions for livestock farming and renewable energy for farms.

With 2100 exhibitors across 13 halls on around 220,000m² of exhibition space and a top-class international technical program. EuroTier will once again be the highlight of the international livestock sector in November. Under this year's main theme of 'We innovate animal farming', exhibitors will showcase the innovative approaches and strategies that can be applied to increase efficiency, sustainability and animal welfare. The EnergyDecentral venue, a specialised trade fair for decentralised energy supply will take place in parallel with EuroTier, presenting renewable energy solutions, like biogas and agrivoltaics.

You may also be interested in:

• Focus on automatic feed pusher for cattle housing at EuroTier 2024
• EuroTier 2024: Conference program for livestock farmers and veterinarians

DLG spotlight on focus topics in the industry

The DLG Spotlights address the current topics that move the industry. Visitors will have access to a comprehensive range of topics, from AI in poultry housing and no-docking in pigs to a dedicated area for agrifood start-ups.

• The DLG Spotlight 'Pig farming without tail docking' aims to highlight solutions from the industry and discuss best practice examples from different countries. The aim of the DLG spotlight is to raise further awareness of the issue.
• The TopTierTreff (Hall 11) (English: Top genetics venue) is a must for national and international cattle breeders. Leading German and international breeding companies and organisations from the dairy and beef cattle sector will be presenting their breeding live animals. Professional farming visitors can inspect national and international sheep and goat breeds.
• The DLG Spotlight 'Ai in poultry farming' aims to highlight the practical possibilities that lie in the advancing developments of automation and digitalisation in poultry farming. Illustrating best-practice examples, the Spotlight takes place on a dedicated area where start-ups and established companies will present their AI-based solutions for poultry farming, from in-ovo sex determination to animal welfare and health monitoring.
• Other highlights include the 'Solar Transition' spotlight at EnergyDecentral 2024, which is taking place at the same time, and the 'Inhouse Farming' spotlight with a focus on alternative proteins.
• The 'agrifood start-ups' area presents innovative industry solutions from young companies and is a networking area for start-ups and investors.

Expert Stages: Covering topics for livestock species: cattle, pigs and poultry

Once again 'Expert Stages', each dedicated to a livestock species topic, will take place at EuroTier 2024. The 'Expert Stage Poultry' will focus on innovations and trends in poultry farming, breeding, animal health, feeding as well as sales and marketing. The 'Pig Expert Stage' offers visitors a compact overview of the latest developments in breeding, feeding, husbandry and environmental solutions for animal housing. The two stages at the DLG stand, Hall 13, Stand E 58, features a variety of topics: The expert sessions on 'Direct farm sales and on-farm slaughter' will cover topics such as mobile slaughter, legal framework conditions, sales and marketing strategies and economic aspects of direct farm sales. EuroTier will be devoting additional attention to horses this year. On each of the four days, two specialist presentations on the Expert Stage of the DLG stand in Hall 13 are dedicated to horse farms. Topics include the design of runs, weather protection, feed production, feeding and manure utilisation. On Wednesday, November 13, the DLG and FN (Fédération Nationale, German Equestrian Federation) will jointly organise a 'Horse Theme Day'.

Several sessions on selected cattle topics are on the program at the DLG stand and on the other stages. The two Expert Stages 'Inhouse Farming' and 'EnergyDecentral' complement the comprehensive range of presentations and discussions.

Digitalisation and automation in agriculture: FarmRobotix and Barn Robot Event

In line with this year's main theme 'We innovate animal farming', the innovation platform of the global livestock industry is dedicated to the advancing automation in livestock housing. With 'FarmRobotix', the DLG has created a new platform for robotics, digitalisation, automation and AI in agriculture. The aim is to provide a forum for know-how transfer and networking. At EuroTier 2024, FarmRobotix consists of a combination of exhibition and technical program as well as live demonstrations.

The 'Barn Robot Event' is dedicated to the topic of automatic feed pushing in dairy barns. Robots will be in practical use at a dedicated area in Hall 13. During the live demonstrations, visitors will experience first-hand how automatic feed pushers can support dairy farmers in their work. Demonstrations with commentary will run twice a day, in German in the morning and in English in the afternoon.

Agrifood start-ups - shape the future of agriculture

At this year's EuroTier, 28 start-ups will be presenting innovations as part of the agrifood start-up program. The main stand of the start-up area is located in Hall 24, with a satellite stand in Hall 17 focusing on poultry production. Hailing from 12 different countries, the startups consist of early stage start-ups with new prototypes to late stage start-ups that are currently expanding their market presence with established products. In addition, the registered start-ups cover the entire spectrum of livestock technologies and services, from genetics to software for monitoring animal welfare using sensors and artificial intelligence (AI), and from aquaculture and vertical farming to decentralised energy systems.

On Thursday, November 14, the start-ups will be able to present and pitch at an event at the Inhouse Farming Expert Stage. Visitors can also look forward to a panel discussion and a keynote speech on the animal agriculture technology and innovation ecosystem as well as an exciting networking event as part of the Start-up Showcase event.

Wide range of congresses and conferences

EuroTier will bring together livestock farmers, the agribusiness and experts for networking and professional exchange. Together with the DLG's partner organisations, EuroTier 2024 will once again offer various conferences and evening events:

• International Cattle & Pig Event on November 11, 2024
• International Poultry Conference on November 11, 2024
• Inhouse Farming Event on November 11, 2024
• Animal Health Event on November 14, 2024
• International Conference Ukraine/Moldova on November 13, 2024

At the International Cattle & Pig Event, which will take place on November 11, 2024, from 6pm in the Convention Center, Room 2, Dr Jim Pillen, the current Governor of Nebraska and founder and owner of Pillen Family Farms Inc (USA), will be one of the keynote speakers. Available in the ticket store from September, the tickets can be purchased for €49.

EuroTier app: always up to date

The new EuroTier app is the must-have for all visitors to EuroTier 2024 and is the perfect complement to a visit to the trade fair. The app enables exhibitor and product searches and delivers additional background information as well as a site plan and an up-to-date calendar of events. With the help of the match-making tool, visitors can efficiently identify exhibitors that match their interests as well as network with contacts and other users, write messages and make appointments. The admission ticket to EuroTier can be conveniently uploaded in the app and accessed at any time. The EuroTier app can be downloaded for free.

Award-winning innovations - inspiring people

As part of EuroTier, the DLG will be presenting three leading international awards for innovative animal husbandry technology: The 'Innovation Award EuroTier' recognises innovations ready for practical farm use and underlines the importance of modern technical solutions for livestock practical farm use and underlines the importance of modern technical solutions for livestock farming. The 'Animal Welfare Award', a distinction of the EuroTier Innovation Awards, recognises products and services that meet the requirements for higher animal welfare standards and improved animal health to a particularly high degree. Pioneering work and concepts for sustainable animal husbandry and decentralised energy production are honoured with the 'DLG-Agrifuture Concept Winner Award', evaluated by an international jury. The international 'Women in Ag Award' honour inspiring women from agriculture, agribusiness, education, technology and research. The best channels from YouTube, TikTok, Facebook and Instagram will receive the 'DLG Agri Influencer Award'.

Optimal complement: EnergyDecentral and Inhouse Farming

The EnergyDecentral trade fair and the Inhouse Farming - Feed & Food show both tae place in parallel with EuroTier. Covering the entire value chain of sustainable energy production, including resources, energy production and smart energy, EnergyDecentral has already established itself as the leading platform for decentralised energy supply. The new Inhouse Farming - Feed & Food Show will be the global B2B venue for agricultural and food systems of the future. Closely networked with agricultural practice, the Inhouse Farming - Feed & Food Show offers specialist information, perspectives, innovations and business - from feed to food. Both offerings represent an optimal extension of the specialist range of topics at EuroTier.

For more information, visit HERE.

The Global Miller
This blog is maintained by The Global Miller staff and is supported by the magazine Milling and Grain
which is published by Perendale Publishers Limited.

Taras Vysotsky discussed cooperation in the agricultural sector with his Hungarian counterpart Istvan Nadezhda

September 3, 2024 - Acting Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine Taras Vysotskyi met with a delegation of the Hungarian Ministry of Agriculture headed by Minister Instván Nájem. The meeting was also attended by Deputy Minister Markiyan Dmytrasevych.

This is the first visit of a delegation from the Hungarian Ministry of Agriculture to Ukraine since the beginning of the war with Russia.

The parties discussed cooperation, the situation in Ukraine's agricultural sector, as well as plans and next steps for cooperation in agriculture between Ukraine and Hungary.

"We are very grateful for Hungary's support and assistance. In particular, for the opportunity to export agricultural products through European routes of solidarity after the war with Russia. I am convinced that only in dialogue can we find a common vision of cooperation and resolve issues," said Taras Vysotskyi.

He emphasised the need to discuss all steps with farmers so that decisions on the direction of the agricultural sector are agreed upon and supported by society.

Taras Vysotsky said that this year, due to weather factors, the harvest of grains and oilseeds is expected to be 15 percent lower compared to 2023. At the same time, he said, the harvest will be more than needed for domestic consumption, and Ukraine continues to be an export-oriented country. He also stressed that 87 percent of Ukrainian agricultural products are currently supplied by sea.

The Acting Minister also noted that the Ukrainian agricultural sector is actively adapting to EU rules and regulations at the legislative level.

In turn, István Nagy noted that intensive dialogue between the agriculture ministries of the countries, especially in the last two years, has helped to resolve many issues related to the export and transit of Ukrainian agricultural products. According to him, the situation with agricultural exports to the EU is currently stabilising. He also expressed his readiness to continue to assist Ukraine. István Nagy stressed that Hungary wants to see Ukraine succeed and have good neighbourly relations between the two countries.

The Hungarian minister invited Taras Vysotsky to visit Budapest and meet with local farmers. In addition, to take part in a meeting of the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council (Agrifish) to be held in Brussels in October.

The ministers agreed to maintain an active dialogue.

The Global Miller
This blog is maintained by The Global Miller staff and is supported by the magazine Milling and Grain
which is published by Perendale Publishers Limited.

Weighing solutions for potentially explosive atmospheres

September 3, 2024 - In the chemical, pharmaceutical, cosmetics and food industries, there is often an invisible danger in the air. Gases and dusts are constant companions which, in combination with a single ignition spark, can trigger a catastrophe. However, the Ex weighing solutions from Minebea Intec, a leading manufacturer of weighing and inspection technologies, ensures safe and efficient work in this hazardous atmosphere.

The IF flat-bed scale was developed for use close to the floor in harsh industrial environments. It is a high-quality, flexible and mobile weighing station and is used in the production process wherever reliable measurement results and hygienic solutions are required. Picture credits: Minebea Intec

In industrial production facilities where chemicals are used, conditions often prevail where flammable gases such as methane, propane or hydrogen are present in the air. These gases can be ignited by a tiny spark and lead to a catastrophic explosion that can endanger human life and production structures. Dust particles that can accumulate in the air are also extremely dangerous. Powdery substances in particular, such as flour, can spread in the air and react explosively on contact with an ignition source.

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Potentially explosive atmospheres are divided into zones depending on the probability of an explosive atmosphere occurring and the explosive substances present. In zone 0 or 20, there is a constant danger due to high concentrations of gases, dusts, vapours or mists. Zone 1 or 21 has a probable but not constant hazard in the vicinity of zone 0. In zone 2 or 22, there is a rare and short-term hazard at a greater distance from the source. This classification is based on international standards such as the ATEX directive for Europe and IECEx certification for the rest of the world. Zones 0, 1 and 2 refer to gases and, in contrast, zones 20, 21 and 22 apply to dust. "Given these potentially lethal hazards, it is vital that all equipment and instruments used in these potentially explosive environments meet the strictest safety standards," says Lena-Marie Fornika, Global Product Manager at Minebea Intec. "We offer weighing technologies that are certified for each of these areas."

Certified Ex weighing solutions without compromising on precision and efficiency

The company offers a wide range of load cells, industrial scales and weighing indicators that have been specially developed for use in hazardous areas. These products not only offer the highest levels of safety, but also precision and efficiency, which are essential for industrial applications. "In hazardous environments, choosing the right weighing and control technology is crucial to ensure maximum productivity and accuracy," says Lena-Marie Fornika. "We support our customers throughout the entire planning process and offer them tailor-made solutions that meet their Ex requirements."

Industrial scales in focus: Ensuring ATEX compliance for a leading aerospace company

The floor and bench scales Combics and Midrics as well as the IF floor scale from Minebea Intec offer many advantages for hazardous areas. Certified to ATEX, IECEx and FM, these scales ensure compliance with Ex requirements. They offer high accuracy, a user-friendly interface and various weighing units. The industrial scales in the Midrics series offer similar benefits, but in a more compact design. They are also approved for use in hazardous areas and offer high accuracy and reliability. The IF floor scales are ideal for applications with heavy loads and are even suitable for use is Zone 2/22. Overall, these scales offer the ideal combination of safety, precision and user-friendliness for use in hazardous areas.

The example of Avio, a leading Italian manufacturer of aerospace fuels, illustrates exactly how customers can benefit from these Ex-certified industrial scales. The company needed to adapt its equipment to the ATEX directives after internal audits revealed that the current instruments no longer complied with the updated regulations. Avio sought quotes from various suppliers and then chose an ATEX Zone 1 weighing solutions from Minebea Intec. The company provided a complete solution, including ATEX-certified equipment and customised software. The solution comprised two Combics weighing platforms with resolutions of 15,000d and 30,000d and weighing ranges of 3000kg/200g and 60kg/2g, a Maxxis 5 programmable weighing controller and PR 5110 remote displays. Minebea Intec's engineering support team developed a software solution for recipe management and also installed a control cabinet with intrinsically safe interfaces for secure data transmission. The solution not only complied with health and safety guidelines, but also optimised the efficiency of Avio's dosing system.

Weighing indicator Midrics 1 Ec is the latest addition to the Ex portfolio

Minebea Intec is constantly expanding its range of Ex solutions. For example, the company recently launched the Midrics 1 Ex weighing indicator. "With the Midrics 1 Ex weighing indicator, we offer a state-of-the-art solution for visualising weighing results in hazardous areas," says Lena-Marie Fornika. "Users benefit not only from the affordable price, but above all from the reliability and intuitive operation of the product."

The intrinsically safe weighing indicator Midrics 1 Ex is suitable for a wide range of applications such as counting, inspection or pre-packaging control.

Best practice: SABIC and Ex-certified compression load cells

Another customer example demonstrates the performance of the Ex-certified load cells. SABIC, a leading Saudi Arabian petrochemical company, was looking for reliable weighing systems for dosing hoppers and the replacement of defective components in granulate hoppers. Minebea Intec was chosen for its experience, accuracy and adherence to strict safety standards. The company installed three S PR 6241 compression load cells for outdoor use in accordance with the ATEX directive. The load cells enabled a transmission range of 500m. The company also supplied four PR 6201 precision compression load cells and PR 6143 compact kits, all ATEX-certified, for the defective granulate containers. This successful partnership established the company as an official supplier to SABIC and demonstrates the company's ability to provide customised solutions that meet the highest safety standards.

Ex solutions when danger is in the air

All of the companies products for potentially explosive atmospheres comply with the strictest international standards such as ATEX, IECEx and FM. in a world where the risk of explosion is in the air, choosing the right technology is crucial. The company offers holistic weighing solutions that not only ensure the highest levels of safety, but also precision and efficiency. Lena-Marie Fornika: "Our products are more than just devices - they are partners for safety and success in hazardous areas."

For more information, visit HERE.

The Global Miller
This blog is maintained by The Global Miller staff and is supported by the magazine Milling and Grain
which is published by Perendale Publishers Limited.