The Global Miller: September 2017

September 28, 2017

29/09/2017: Strategic alliance between interpack, Ipack-Ima and UCIMA signed

Under the terms of the agreements, interpack and Ipack-Ima will reciprocally support their packaging trade fairs held in Düsseldorf and Milan whilst UCIMA will provide support to the international events of Messe Düsseldorf organized as part of interpack alliance

The aim of the partnership is to offer a reference network to companies in the packaging branch and related processing industries.

The partners have now signed respective agreements defining the details of their partnership, first announced at interpack 2017.

The cooperation with Ipack-Ima includes communication measures like websites, mailings, brochures, press meetings or information booths for the reciprocal support of interpack in Düsseldorf and Ipack-Ima in Milan.

“Ipack-Ima is one of the most important trade shows in Europe and can boast a leadership position in a number of sectors such as Pasta or Milling,” said Bernd Jablonowski, Global Portfolio Director Processing and Packaging at Messe Düsseldorf.

“Ipack-Ima’s partnership with interpack and with the interpack alliance, which has operating bases in the main world markets, will increase the visibility of our show while giving exhibitors and visitors new opportunities to meet and create added value. Companies now need continuous innovation and for this reason Ipack-Ima exhibitors will showcase new technologies at their booths”, commented Ipack-Ima Chairman Riccardo Cavanna.

The focus of the cooperation with the Italian packaging machinery manufacturers’ association, UCIMA, is on its exclusive support of the international packaging and processing exhibitions of interpack alliance in China, India, Iran and Russia.

“Through this important agreement, our companies will benefit from a network of exhibitions where they can promote their technologies in key markets for Italian technologies,” said UCIMA’s Chairman Enrico Aureli.

“At the same time, our presence will help to strengthen interpack alliance, making its exhibitions increasingly attractive to global professionals”, he added.

“The German and Italian packaging machinery manufacturers are the worldwide leaders. Through the cooperation we bundle that power to the benefit of our customers”, agreed Mr Jablonowski.

UCIMA will solicit visitors and also organize the Official Italian Group Participations at the interpack alliance trade fairs in China (swop), India (pacprocess India, food pex India, indiapack), Iran (pacprocess Tehran) and Russia (upakovka) while Honegger Gaspare Srl., the long-term foreign representative of Messe Düsseldorf for Italy, will be in charge of organizing the participations of individual Italian exhibitors.

Visit the Interpack website, HERE.

Visit the IPACK IMA website, HERE.

Visit the UCIMA website, 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.

For additional daily news from milling around the world: global-milling.com

29/09/2017: Course on FGIS grain inspections

Learn about the US grain inspection and marketing system and how it affects your business in GEAPS 522: Grain Inspection Orientation

This online course from the GEAPS/K-State Distance Education Program teaches the basic principles of grain inspection, including a history of grain inspections and an overview of general inspection techniques.

By the end of this course, you should have a solid understanding of grain inspection legislation and laws.

This course is one of four courses required for the Specialist Credential in Grain Quality Management.

Three additional courses are also available in October.

For more information on the Distance Education Program, credentials or other courses, visit the program website, HERE.

Registration details
Course Dates: Oct. 30-Dec. 1
Registration Closes: Oct. 24
Cost: $685 members; $895 non-members 2017 Schedule

For more information contact Katya Morrell on (763) 999-4300 or visit the GEAPS website HERE.

29/09/2017: SternMaid opens a second plant

Commissioning of a new production facility for retail products

On 16 September, SternMaid officially opened its second production plant in Wittenburg

With the new plant, the contract manufacturer for food ingredients and supplements in powder form has increased its annual production capacity to 50,000 tonnes. The new complex, covering an area of 5,000 m² opposite Plant one, will in future be used for the manufacture of all retail products.

Sternmaid plant opening
Image credit: Sternmaid

The company has invested a total of some 15 million EUR in its construction and created 50 new jobs. SternMaid now employs a staff of nearly 300. SternMaid officially opened the new plant in the presence of Rolf Christiansen, Head Administrator of the district of Ludwigslust-Parchim, Wittenburg’s mayor Dr Margret Seemann and some 750 guests.

As Torsten Wywiol, SternMaid’s managing director, commented, “The modern production plant reflects our aim of consistently offering our customers tailor-made, cost-effective and high-quality solutions in the fields of food and food supplements. By building this second plant we are increasing our overall capacity and putting ourselves in an even better position to meet the needs of our retail customers. In keeping with our motto ‘Blending is our mission’, we will continue to be able to meet the demand for powder mixtures in full.”

The new plant is made up of about 2,500 m² for warehousing, 2,000 m² for production and 500 m² for technical equipment and is directly adjacent to the manufacturer’s existing factory. Space has also been left for further extensions. As far as possible the two plants will work independently of each other.

Plant one will in future focus on all products intended for further industrial processing, whereas Plant two will manufacture all retail products. For this reason, all the small-pack filling lines will gradually be moved into the new production plant by the end of October 2017.

The floor space thus released will be converted into blending and filling areas for industrial products. Separation of the two types of production will ease the logistic situation on the site, which has been made difficult by the increasing volume of goods handled.

Every day, up to 200 tonnes of ingredients for the food industry are shipped from SternMaid and exported to over 100 countries around the world.

As the production location, Wittenburg is an important part of the Stern-Wywiol Gruppe alongside the Head Office in Hamburg and the research facility in Ahrensburg.

Visit the Sternamid website, HERE.

29/09/2017: The future of the EU, UK and USA flour milling sectors

by Rhiannon White, Managing Editor, Milling and Grain

A view from: The President of the European Flour Millers Brexit, consumer trends and authenticity

As Brexit continues to dominate the British and European political stage, Bernard Valluis, President of the European Flour Millers says, “Within our Association, we believe that today’s priority is the continuation of the current trade flows for flour and flour-based products without tariffs on both sides.”

The European Flour Millers association is a federation of 29 countries, 24 from the European Union and five associate members including Turkey, the world’s leading flour exporter.

“We process 45 million tonnes of grains every year, have direct employment for 45,000 people and we are producing 35 million tonnes of flour and probably 600 different kinds of flour”, he added.

The EU is a highly regulated environment for flour millers with a heavy focus on health and food safety. This includes date marking and monitoring of nutrition and health claims, agricultural policy, competition rules, more transparency in the internal market and finally improving sustainability, energy efficiency and waste.

Mr Valluis commented, “The EU is also the leader for the wheat production market with between 140 and 150 million tonnes produced in 2017-18, followed by China (128.3 tonnes), India (95.5 tonnes) and then Russia (67 tonnes).”

Brexit
Most striking are the statistics that reflect the staunch and intertwined relationship held between the EU and UK wheat, flour and bakery markets. “In 2015-16, the UK exported 2.2 million tonnes of wheat to the EU-27, mainly to The Netherlands, Spain and Portugal, whilst the EU-27 normally exports around 0.6 tonnes to the UK.

“The UK exports around 220,000 tonnes of flour per year to the EU-27, mainly to the Republic of Ireland with a value of €95 million. Whilst the UK also exports around 270,000 tonnes of bakery products per year to the EU-27; half of which goes to the Republic of Ireland, with a value of €650m.”

Despite the overwhelming interdependence between the EU and UK markets as they stand, if tariffs were to be introduced following a trade deal, it would be difficult to foresee how the current symbiosis could be sustained.

Rest of the world
“Turkey is the leader for the wheat flour market, exporting five million tonnes per year to 140 destinations. The main destination for its flour exports is Iraq, followed by the Middle East and Africa while it is declining for East Asia,” Mr Valluis added.

Consumer trends and challenges
He says that consumers today are paying close attention to wasted losses, health and origin. “Some want gluten-free only products, so no wheat at all, which is a real concern for the new generation of consumption standards to make sure in the future we are not going to face a very large drop in consumption.”

“From the point of view of the miller, tomorrow’s challenges include long shelf life, storage, dosage and recipes. From the point of view of the consumer, the challenges are freshness, authenticity, the origin and organic nature of the product.”

He concluded by saying, “The new challenges for our sector also include digitalisation and ‘B2C’ relationships with the consumer.”

To keep updated on the progress being made, be sure to register for The European Flour Millers conference on ‘Semolina & Pasta Manufacturers’, taking place in Prague on May 24-26, 2018.

Read the full article, HERE.

Symaga company profile

Symaga Silos is a Spanish family-owned business with an international scope, specialised in designing, manufacturing and marketing of galvanised steel silos for grain storage.

With more than 30 years of experience, exceeding 6,000 installations and more than 24 million m³ of grain storage built in more than 120 countries.

Symaga is multinational family owned company able to provide technical response to the requirements of each individual project, after-sales services and able to speak in different languages as the company export rate is superior to 90 percent.

The company is dynamic, skilled, and perfect for a long-term relationship.

Now, more than ever, Symaga is your reliable storage solution.

Visit the company website HERE.

September 27, 2017

28/09/2017: A major milestone, Dr Eckel Animal Nutrition expands Asia business

A dignified setting with prominent political, business and society guests in attendance, Dr Eckel opened its international headquarters (IHQ) in Bangkok on 18 September

The feed-additive specialist celebrated the official company inauguration of Dr Eckel Animal Nutrition (Thailand) Co., Ltd. and its move to the new offices.

The business and political guests, notably the German ambassador Peter Prügel, were impressed by the company’s product and service portfolio, as well as its corporate objectives.

“We are pleased that German companies are expanding globally, significantly shaping and successfully participating in the rapid developments in Asia, in agriculture, for example,” said Peter Prügel, German ambassador to Bangkok.

The company will focus on the Asian markets. “Asia is becoming particularly important for our company, given the tremendous growth in animal nutrition,” explained Dr Antje Eckel.

From left to right: Dr Andreas Lewke (Director Asia, Dr Eckel),
Peter Prügel (German Ambassador in Thailand), Sonklin Ploymee
(Executive Director, Investment Marketing Bureau / Member of Board
of Investment), Dr Antje Eckel (CEO Dr Eckel), and Dr Roland Wein
(Executive Director, German-Thai Chamber of Commerce)
Image credit: Dr Eckel

“We have served the Asian feed industry from a representative office in Bangkok for years, and now we will significantly increase our exposure through our IHQ and our German–Thai subsidiary. We appreciate the assistance of the Thai Board of Investment. We will invest our expertise and effort in developing the Asian market, which has significant growth potential,” the managing director added.

Dr Eckel already has close ties to many well-known animal-feed manufacturers and corporations in Asia. “We want to improve our local customer service and considerably intensify our consultancy efforts,” said director for Asia Dr Andreas Lewke, referring to the international growth strategy.

“There’s an increase in demand for our animal-nutrition products, particularly our innovative products that combine efficiency and safety, and promote animal welfare,” added Mr Lewke.

This is a milestone in the progressive internationalisation of Dr Eckel, established almost 25 years ago and one of the leading German experts in healthy, efficient and responsible animal nutrition.

Visit the Dr Eckel website, HERE.

28/09/2017: BIOMIN strengthens commitment to Mexican market, enters transition phase with INUSA

Innovative feed additive producer Biomin has announced plans to strengthen its commitment to the Mexican poultry and livestock sectors in the near future, including the strategic decision to open a local business unit

Building on a quarter-century of success
Biomin products first became commercially available in Mexico in 1992 through local distributor INUSA Mexico, beginning with the mycotoxin-deactivating Mycofix®. The product offering expanded over the years to include a full suite of Biomin gut performance management solutions: Digestarom®, PoultryStar® and Biotronic®.

From left to right: Jose Buitron, Erich Erber, Ricardo Pereira
Image credit: Biomin

“We sincerely thank the INUSA team for the work they have done in promoting cutting-edge Biomin products to customers throughout Mexico over the past 25 years,” stated Ricardo Pereira, Managing Director for Biomin Latin America.

“Thanks to those efforts, the concept of mycotoxin risk management has firmly taken hold in the Mexican market.”

Local Biomin presence planned
A key component of the strategic push includes a local Biomin business unit based in Guadalajara, Mexico. “We look forward to working more closely with current and future Biomin customers throughout Mexico to achieve successful outcomes,” stated Mr Pereira.

“By directly serving clients, we will be able to offer a more customised set of products and services that respond to specific needs,” he added.

Jose Buitron will lead the Biomin activities throughout the country. “I am confident that Jose, with more than 20 years of animal health and nutrition industry experience, can bring the competitive advantages that Biomin offers –a strong global R&D program, innovative products, technical knowledge sharing and value-adding services— to livestock and poultry businesses in Mexico,” commented Mr Pereira.

A local presence will also allow Biomin to build and enhance important relationships with key opinion leaders and research organisations.

Through its R&D activities, Biomin has a global network of 200 research organisations.

Transition period for existing customers
For existing customers, a transition period has already begun. “During the transition period, Biomin and INUSA colleagues will work together as a team to ensure a seamless handover, continued service and delivery to customers,” explained Mr Buitron.

In the initial phase, INUSA representatives will be customers’ first contact point for products and technical questions. “We’re grateful to be able to take the reins of a genuine value proposition for our clients and partners,” added Mr Buitron. “We will continue to communicate closely with clients as the transition unfolds through regular updates.”

Visit the Biomin website, HERE.

28/09/2017: Chief Industries appoints new President/General Manager for agri-division

Internal promotion aligns organisation for future growth

Chief Industries announced Monday, September 18, 2017 that Mike Lewis has accepted the position of President/General Manager for the Agri Division of Chief Industries, Inc.

Mike Lewis
Chief Agri President/General Manager
Image credit: Chief Industries

Mike started his career with Chief Agri more than seventeen years ago as a Controller for the division, which led to his most recent position as Vice President of Operations.

Mike has the experience, knowledge and cando spirit to provide the guidance required for continued success and growth in the agricultural industry. Mike’s leadership will extend to all campuses of Chief Agri, which includes Kearney, Nebraska, Grand Island, Nebraska, Maldon Essex England and Rousies, France.

After the promotion was announced, DJ Eihusen, CEO/President of Chief Industries said, “We are quite excited to see Mike take on this new role at Chief Agri. He has worn many hats during his seventeen years at Chief, and we believe he is well suited for the opportunities that lie ahead. His experience in the industry, along with his appreciation and interest for all stakeholders, should prove valuable.”

When asked about his new appointment, Mr Lewis commented, “I feel very fortunate to have been given this opportunity. Chief has a long history and strong presence in the ag industry and I look forward to contributing to the ongoing success of Chief Agri.”

About Chief Industries
Chief Agri originated in 1961 and has grown to offer a full line of grain and commodity storage, aeration and material handling products throughout the world. Chief Agri is a division of Chief Industries, Inc. Established in 1954, Chief Industries, Inc. is a diversified organisation providing a balanced range of products and services through its many divisions and subsidiaries.

Visit the Chief Industries website, HERE.

28/09/2017: Great success stories for our industry

by Chris Jackson, Export Manager UK TAG

Last month I wrote that here in the UK our harvest was well under way, I should not have tempted fate as Mother Nature has taken a hand and our country has seen almost daily rainfall in the southwest - torrential summer storms causing structural damage

Chris Jackson

For the rest of us, a delay to harvest is not all bad news, for the farmers with arable crops where harvest has been in part completed fieldwork has been undertaken ready for the next crops.

Of course in this country where grass production is very important for our cattle and sheep industries that mostly rely on livestock grazing for high welfare production, there has been after a dry start to the growing season.

With light early crops there is a boost in growth allowing for conservation for the coming winter.

There is no other industry in the world that faces the daily challenges of framing and none so vital to survival.

Of course our scientists and geneticists continue to play a vital role in our lives, developing new plant varieties able to produce high yields in lessening growing times.

Take wheat production here in the UK, four tonne yields per acre is regularly achieved more than doubling the output in the last 40 years with the scourge of take all eliminated by genetics.

For ruminant livestock farming, new highly productive grasses have been developed and are widely used in suitable areas making for more intensive farming methods to be developed.

This is needed to maximise production from diminishing resources and to allow farmers to make profits to continue production.

In the more intensive pig industry genetics have meant that in the last 50 years farming land needed for production has reduced by 70 percent.

These challenges have also been met by the uptake of new technologies and mechanical developments allowing for production with less people involved a theme that I continually refer to.

Today, farm workers are highly skilled machinery operators and livestock producers but sadly our industry is still not regarded highly by the younger generations that we need to encourage to become involved.

Climate change has been much talked about with droughts in production areas, floods in others for example; Australia, wild fires with extreme heat in southern Europe.

The USA farming methods have been an easy target to criticise for a negative impact on this.

But the population needs primary production with safe food systems developed to satisfy the demands of a growing world population.

Read the full article, HERE.

Alapala company profile

Establishing plants at any desired capacity, Alapala Machine is a company that exports 95 percent of its current production today and has hundreds of references in over 75 countries in 4 continents including developed industrial countries such as Belgium, France, Italy, Canada and USA. Alapala continually develops and expands thanks to its superior technology infrastructure, perfectionist staff and management, and its quality and customer-oriented approach.

It renders the best before-sales and after-sales services with its staff specialized in their industry, overseas representatives, strong service networks and spare-part stocks.

Alapala can manufacture quality and high performance machinery where the best efficiency ad products can be obtained in the production facilities that have the most developed and state-of-the art technology.
Alapala’s lines of business:

•    Wheat flour mills,
•    Semolina mills,
•    Corn flour mills,
•    Rice processing plants,
•    Feed mills,
•    Cereal storage systems,
•    Weighing, conveying, packing equipment
•    Harbour facilities under the licence of Tramco Inc-USA

Visit the company website HERE.

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

For additional daily news from milling around the world: global-milling.com

27/09/2017: Vortex expands markets with the appointment of Portuguese agent

Vortex Global Limited, a solids and bulk handling components company, announces the appointment of Alpha Engenharia as its representative agent in Portugal

This partnership allows Vortex to formally extend its products and services to reach new markets, as the company has not previously held representation in Portugal.

A subsidiary of the company Ana Beco Malheiro, Lda., Alpha Engenharia began activities in 2015.

Image credit: Arden
(CC BY 2.0)

Its main objective is to provide technical and commercial assistance across industries in regards to automation, instrumentation, valves and accessories.

Through a rigorous selection of equipment from various suppliers, Alpha Engenharia’s dynamic and competent team ensures the best solutions for use in industrial applications.

By offering great technical support and after-sales service, Alpha Engenharia seeks to establish strong relationships with Vortex customers from day one.

“We have worked with Alpha Engenharia in the past on other projects in the Portuguese market,” said Laurence Millington, managing director of Vortex Global Limited.

“They have proven to be an active sales group that fits very well with Vortex’s ongoing vision for expanding services across Europe. Our expectation is Alpha Engenharia will grow Vortex’s core and engineered business in this promising Portuguese market.”

Visit the Vortex website, HERE.

September 26, 2017

27/09/2017: Practical short course on feeds & pet food extrusion

A one week Practical Short Course on Feeds & Pet Food Extrusion will be presented Jan. 21-26, 2018 at Texas A&M University by staff, industry representatives, and consultants

The program will cover information on designing new feed mills and selecting conveying, drying, grinding, conditioning and feed mixing equipment.

perdc.tamu.edu

Current practices for production of pet foods, preparing full-fat soy meal; recycling fisheries by-products, raw animal products, and secondary resources; extrusion of floating, sinking, and high fat feeds; spraying and coating fats, digests and preservatives; use of encapsulated ingredients and preparation of premixes, and least cost formulation are reviewed.

Practical demonstration of pet food, vacuum coating, and several others are demonstrated on four major types of extruders - (dry, interrupted flights, single and twin screw), using various shaping dies.

Reservations are accepted on a first-come basis.

For more information, programs and application forms, contact:

Mian N. Riaz, Ph.D,
CFS Director, Process Engineering R& D Center
(Formally, Food Protein R&D Center)

Head - Extrusion Technology Program
Graduate Faculty, Nutrition and Food Science Dept.

2476 TAMU; Texas A&M University
College Station, TX 77843-2476
Tel: 979-845-2774; Fax: 979-845-2744

Visit the Process Engineering Research and Development centre website, HERE.

27/09/2017: New research project evaluates salmonella risk in animal feed production

The Institute for Feed Education & Research (IFEEDER), along with several partners, has launched a new research project with the University of Arkansas to analyse whether animal feed contains any of the serotypes from the bacteria Salmonella that could pose a health threat to livestock

The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA), National Pork Board, National Renderers Association, Poultry Protein and Fat Council, US Poultry and Egg Association, and US Soybean Board are the included partners.

Salmonella Bacteria
Image credit: NIAID
(CC BY 2.0)

The yearlong project is aimed at helping the animal feed industry better understand if the bacteria is prevalent at their manufacturing facilities so that it can make more informed decisions on what additional safety measures, if any, should be taken to promote feed safety and protect animal health.

"As an industry, we have long-believed that Salmonella is not a threat in food for animals as it is for people due to the types of grains and ingredients used and the stringent regulatory procedures and processes in place to avoid contamination," said Preston Buff, Ph.D., AFIA's director of regulatory affairs.

"This research will test that hypothesis so that we have the data and scientific analysis we need to continue making safe animal feed for America's 9.6 billion food-producing animals a year."

There are more than 2,500 strains, or serotypes, of naturally occurring salmonellae present in the environment and in animals. Although humans who consume contaminated food or practice poor food handling can sometimes contract Salmonellosis, a foodborne illness that is estimated to cost more than $2.3 billion annually in medical care expenses and productivity losses, it is rare for animals to elicit the same response.

The biology of many animals typically shields them from most strains of the bacteria; however, the Food and Drug Administration considers eight specific salmonellae serotypes to be "hazardous" to five animal species--poultry, swine, sheep, horses, and dairy and beef cattle.

To prevent these serotypes of Salmonella from posing a risk to these animals, AFIA and its partners formed a Salmonella in Feed Coalition, providing a $50,000 grant to the University of Arkansas to conduct a thorough research analysis.

The project will invite 250 US animal food mills that produce livestock feed to voluntarily send samples of their commercial feed to the university for analysis.

Kansas State University, another partner in the project, is developing guidance materials for the volunteers to explain how to collect the samples and will be providing sampling kits.

The facilities will take the samples in the fall of 2017 and spring of 2018 from their bulk feed shipments. In all, 500 samples will be collected and analysed. Once the samples are received, Steven Ricke, Ph.D., the University of Arkansas' principal investigator for the project, will test to see if salmonellae are present.

If the sample contains the bacteria, it will be further analysed to determine the specific Salmonella serotype.

The university will provide a full report to the coalition at the end of the project, which it anticipates to be end of summer 2018.

Animal feed mills that are interested in providing samples for the research project should contact AFIA's Preston Buff at pbuff@afia.org.

Visit the AFIA website, HERE.

Visit the IFEEDER website, HERE.

27/09/2017: The history of the earth and the soil

by Clifford Spencer, Goodwill Ambassador, NEPAD and Chairman, Milling4Life

Millers can exercise great power and wisdom in their choice of crop feedstock to promote positive change in developing countries

Clifford Spencer

These crop feedstock choices influence the soil that feeds us all, together with the seabed, sea and lakes, which are hugely influenced by the choice of crops we grow on land and how we grow them.

A negative example of these effects on the sea is the fertiliser run off into the Gulf of Mexico resultant from crop farming activities.

Also in terms of modern farming of crops the soil has more recently been considered a growing medium – however it is absolutely no such thing!

The soil is a living thing with a finely balanced micro-fauna and flora, which in turn support very complex life cycles and organic interactions in the soil biome.

A teaspoon full of healthy soil contains roughly a billion living organisms - an astounding accomplishment for something many regard as dirt on their shoes or upon which we build and cover with buildings and roads.

You are sat upon soil wherever you are reading this article.

It has taken millions of years for the soil on which we all depend to be generated from the earth's crust through natural processes. Yet we only actively started farming it some 15,000 years ago - a mere blip in the history of the earth and the soil upon which we rely to develop and grow.

The importance of crop choice for the soil on which they grow relates to maintaining this soil in tip-top condition. So avoiding mono-cropping (the same crop continuously for a number of years) is desirable unless the crop is perennial and therefore does not need re-planting each year and thus avoids disturbing the soil.

Also, utilising naturally generated nutrition of the crops from supporting and protecting biological soil activity say by the use of mixed rotations is very important e.g. growing nitrogen producing crops as a natural fertiliser or avoiding the build of crop pests by regular rotation of the cropping.

When moving on to the processing of the crop feedstock by millers then for us as human beings, it should be no surprise that we thrive on fresh and natural food Ingredients. Thus, considering this fact in the design of milling processes is very important e.g. wholemeal flour, the effect of process heat, the use of natural wrapping.

The presently under-utilised crops that grow in their natural environments are good indicators of soil characteristics and climate change. For this reason alone they need to looked at far more closely and boosted in their production and use by millers.

Indeed climate change and its effects on food production is increasingly becoming a major consideration for all of us and that includes millers. The time scale for plants to adjust to climate change is lengthy - at least 80 to 90 years.

So in order to speed up this adjustment process then identifying crops that are more suited to these climatic changes and then growing them is a major and essential step forward.

Millers are not independent of this process so their greater involvement through product identity preservation and chain of custody is a positive and essential business step.

Read the full article, HERE.

Visit the Milling4Life website, HERE.

Vibrafloor company profile

Vibrafloor is the world leader in providing modular vibrating bulk reclaim systems to reclaim cohesive and free flowing products, such as soya bean meal, potash, wood-pellets, sugar, biomass and grain.

Installations include steel and concrete silos, hoppers, warehouses, railcars and ships.

According to Vibrafloor, no other reclaim technology can provide the same balance of advantages which include:

• Total silo clearance
• No routine maintenance
• Modular redundancy
• Low energy consumption
• High reclaim rates
• No damaging vibration or stress transfer
• No product degradation

Vibrafloor are proud to include ISO 9001 in our long list of accreditations.

Vibrafloor services

Design
A complete design of the Vibrafloor modular reclaim system, including advice on the necessary incline of the storage vessel floor. Vibrafloor are not involved with the design of the associated civil engineering, storage vessels, bulk handling and conveying systems etc.

Manufacture
The Vibrafloor modular reclaim system is assembled under the strictest quality control measures.

Supply to site
Delivery by either road vehicle or shipping container, either to site or local port as agreed. Complete responsibility for the consignment is then transferred to the client.

Training
Our site engineers will train the clients selected installation team on site, to install the Vibrafloor, subject to agreement.

Inspection
Vibrafloor site engineers will inspect the installation during the installation process, to ensure it complies with our quality control measures, subject to agreement.

Commissioning
Vibrafloor site engineers will commission the installation to ensure it operates as intended.

Visit the Vibrafloor website, HERE.

September 25, 2017

26/09/2017: Ground-breaking for Bühler Innovation Campus

Bühler celebrated the ground breaking for its Innovation Campus in Uzwil, Switzerland

Completion of the building is expected for the first quarter of 2019. This significant investment of over CHF 50 million, spent over three years, demonstrates Bühler’s commitment to innovation and technology, and to the workplace Switzerland.

“This innovation campus will reinforce our innovation power and market leadership. It will help us bring together the smartest minds of the industry to create innovations for a better world”, said Stefan Scheiber, CEO of Bühler, at the ground-breaking.

From left to right: Elvis Pidic (Bühler Architect), Johannes Wick (CEO Grains & Food), Carlos Martinez (Architect), Stefan Scheiber (Group CEO), Ian Roberts (CTO), Samuel Schär (CEO Advanced Materials), Andreas Herzog (CFO), Burkhard Böndel (Head of Corporate Communications).
Image credit: Bühler

The innovation campus consists of two key elements: the upgraded technology labs and the new innovation building. The new building will build a bridge between the engineering and business world in the existing towers and the upgraded application labs.

On three levels, the modern building will be the home for project teams of employees, clients, start-ups, students, and apprentices. It will feature an auditorium for up to 300 participants for large events.

Collaboration and a “maker space”, a media centre and a co-working floor with open and secured spaces for over 100 people will also be part of the building.

Bühler’s apprentices benefit from a dedicated apprentice center featuring several training rooms. Reflecting Bühler’s strong focus on the food processing industry, open living spaces with a central coffee bar, a tea lounge and adjacent thinking spaces complete the building, making it a state-of-the-art workplace.

“This building is focused on collaborative innovation,” says Ian Roberts, Chief Technology Officer at Bühler.

“We are creating a collaborative space for all functions, all ages, and all knowledge holders. It will allow us to live and foster our innovation culture and test future work practices.”

The new building will bring together Bühler’s network of partners, be they customers, start-ups, academics, apprentices, or suppliers, and create a link to the technology labs.

Bühler’s existing technology labs, such as the Bakery Innovation Centre, have been upgraded or will be during the building process, and are an integral part of the new campus, as they are closely interlinked with the new building.

“This is a unique setting, which I have not seen anywhere else”, says CTO Roberts.

“We are creating a space that brings together visionaries and long-term thinkers of the start-up scene and universities with engineering teams that hold Bühler’s long-standing applied and tested know-how in processing technology. By combining both, we can truly create innovations for a better world.”

Innovation has always been a cornerstone of Bühler’s strategy and business success. Every year, the company invests 4 to 5 percent of its turnover into research and development.

Internal and external innovation challenges foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. This commitment to innovation allows the company to significantly contribute to the world’s most pressing issues.

Bühler continues to innovate with new solutions, such as smart roller mills that use the power of IoT, new solutions for insect processing, which is a key answer to the world’s looming protein gap, or the innovative battery slurry that will contribute to the future of mobility.

None of them would have been possible without open innovation and cooperation with Bühler’s extensive network of partners.

“It is a privilege for everyone at Bühler to work on such enormous challenges and make a difference,” says Stefan Scheiber.

“This building will help create the space where we can bring together key players in the industry to develop innovations for a better world.”

Visit the Bühler Group website, HERE.

26/09/2017: Gold sponsor Nutriad hosted technical session at MYCOKEY

Belgium headquartered feed additives specialist Nutriad was a proud sponsor of the 1st MycoKey International Conference that took place in September in Ghent (Belgium)

MycoKey aims to deliver the first integrated ICT tool to address mycotoxin contamination along the food and feed chain.

Dr Olga Averkieva
Image credit: Nutriad

Partners in the project seek enable real-time information and suggestions for mycotoxin management.

As the conference provided room for sharing relevant research data, Nutriad hosted a technical session at the conference.

The negative impact of moulds and mycotoxins on animal production is an ever-increasing concern.

The challenges in mycotoxin and toxigenic mould research are still enormous due to the frequency, the complexity and variability in occurrence.

As one of the industry leaders in providing practical solutions for mycotoxin risk control, Nutriad’s team of nutritionists, biochemists and veterinarians combines a hand on approach with in depth research.

Many research projects are conducted in close cooperation with leading universities around the world.

At the MycoKey conference Olga Averkieva, Business Development Manager Nutriad, presented Nutriad promising results that were obtained by researchers from the University of Missouri, Columbia (USA) on the effect of TOXY-NIL® and UNIKE® Plus on the reduction of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) levels in milk of lactating dairy cows fed aflatoxin B1 (AFB1).

Dr Averkieva stated, “Results indicate that inclusion of TOXY-NIL® and UNIKE® Plus significantly reduced AFM1 in milk of cows consuming TMR. Another outcome was a clear indication that both TOXY-NIL® and UNIKE® Plus reduced absorption of AFB1.”

Visit the Nutriad website, HERE.

26/09/2017: Anpario appoints Corporate Development Director, Dr Helen Houghton MRCVS

Anpario are pleased to announce the appointment of Helen Houghton as Corporate Development Director

Helen will report to Andrew Jackson, Group Commercial Director, and will be based from their Cranfield office near Milton Keynes. Alongside Andrew Jackson, she will assist in the development of strategic new sales channels and specific sales related projects globally.

Helen Houghton
Image credit: Anpario

Helen will also assume responsibility as the line manager for Marketing and the Global Pricing Strategy Team. Helen is joining Anpario from Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, formerly Merial Animal Health Ltd where she was Head of Avian for all European markets, and Russia.

Helen joined Merial in 2005, and she was awarded a Nuffield Farming Scholarship in 2010 where she studied disease prevention in the chicken embryo and young chick, which involved travelling to USA, Netherlands, China and India.

Helen has an impressive educational background. She studied Physiology, Biochemistry and Nutrition of Farm Animals at the University of Reading and went on to achieve her Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine at the Royal Veterinary College.

She joined Towcester Veterinary Centre and enjoyed three years working in mixed practice. Helen joined Hoechst Roussel Vet (later to become Intervet) as Veterinary Technical Manager for all species and was the Named Veterinary Surgeon responsible for all animals at the Milton Keynes site, which were involved in research & development and quality control.

Later, Helen became a Project Manager in R&D and Veterinary Advisor for all avian, swine, equine, bovine and ovine vaccine projects and in 2004, was awarded the RCVS Certificate for Laboratory Animal Science.

Andrew Jackson, Group Commercial Director said “I am delighted that Helen is joining the Anpario team and excited for the development of Anpario over the next few years. Helen has a remarkable wealth of experience and she will bring instrumental support to myself and guidance to the rest of the Anpario team, which will help strengthen and develop Anpario as a global brand”.

Visit the Anpario website, HERE.

26/09/2017: ASEAN: 50 years of progress and what’s ahead

by Raghavan 'Ragha' Sampathkumar

ASEAN, the group of South East Asian countries is celebrating 50th anniversary this year

Since its inception, it has been a loosely held block but kept in shape by the leading countries including Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia.

Raghavan
Sampathkumar

Much progress has been done in terms of poverty reduction and reduction in population affected by malnutrition in the last few decades as the region’s food security has been the primary focus of the leaders who founded the group.

The group stands as the sixth largest economy in the world with a combined GDP of US$2.4 trillion in 2015. With impressive economic growth prior to the economic crisis in 1997-98, the region has grown to become an important market for high value food products.

Although the financial crisis had temporarily dented the growth, the region got back on its feet quickly and now is looking forward to lead the next wave of global economic growth. It is also ranked fourth in global trade (US$2.3 trillion in 2015) and intra-regional trade in goods stood at close to one fourth of the total.

It was ranked as the fourth top destination for FDI (US$121 billion in 2015) globally. It is also a lucrative destination for several industries particularly for the world’s grain industry as the region is a net importer of grains.

As close to half of its population is now living in the cities, their food habits are fast changing and perhaps are converging with the western diets. What’s more? The region is one of the youngest in the world as more than half of its population is under 30.

Over 630 million people call it their home and start demanding more meat in their diets, which is driving the demand for feed grains. While most of its grain imports come from outside the region, opportunities for the global grains industry is abound as consumers expect quality and innovative offerings.

Rising popularity of out-of-home food consumption options particularly Quick Service Restaurants (QSR) is a reflection of the potential this region has. The region is also home to several food companies that have quietly become pioneers in some specialised sectors such as seafood and animal protein.

However, the market is not monolithic and is rather diverse in its food consumption patterns. For example, Indonesia is a big market for bovine meat and also chicken while Thailand and Vietnam consume significant amounts of pork besides seafood.

Though the region is making progress to become AEC (ASEAN Economic Community), it still remains a far cry as there are significant roadblocks to create such an integrated group.

Flow of trade, services and labour is not yet smooth as the differences exist in terms of priorities for the countries individually.

Some are focused on strengthening their food security (rather sovereignty) through domestic production while some countries have a pragmatic approach towards meeting their food and nutritional requirements.

Read the full article, HERE.

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