SWITZERLAND – Swiss technology group Bühler has partnered with Hosokawa Alpine Group from Germany to development technology for the production of high value protein concentrates.
Bühler, as a leader in pulses processing, offers solutions for the intake, cleaning, dehulling and grinding of pulses.
The company also has offers extrusion technology which facilitates further processing of the grains, texturizing plant-based proteins into products with a fibrous texture similar to meat.
Hosokawa Alpine complements the production process by adding its technology for the dry separation of pulses’ protein – fine grinding and air classification.
Through the partnership, the two companies will be able to bring their technologies together to offer customers process technology and expertise along the complete field-to-fork pulses protein chain.
“By working with Bühler, we can fully realize the potential of the value chain. With our combined technologies, we meet the market requirements in the best possible way and drive developments in the process chain forward,” said Dr. Antonio Fernández, chairman of the executive board at Hosokawa Alpine.
The strategic partnership between the two technology companies positions them to take advantage of the sustainable proteins market which has been growing significantly over the last years, fueled by end consumers demand.
Pulses – such as peas, lentils, fava beans and chickpeas – are are high in protein, vitamins, and minerals, which makes them an excellent meat substitute.
Their cultivation is more resource efficient than most animal protein sources, with a positive impact on sustainability, making them highly sought after by environmentally conscious consumers.
“With this cooperation, we can address customer needs from the harvest to the final product. We operate in an integrated and collaborative way to ensure a seamless experience for our customers,” says Andreas Risch, head of special grains & pulses at Bühler.
Risch noted that the with the collaboration, Bühler application centers in Uzwil, Switzerland, and in Minneapolis, US, will be complemented by Hosokawa Alpine’s facilities in Augsburg to develop new methods of transforming pulses and grains into tasty new food solutions.
“Our collaboration goes through to commissioning and services ensuring high-quality outputs for our customers,” adds Risch.
Besides this latest collaboration agreement, Bühler and Hosokawa Alpine have been working together in different projects and industries since the 1980s.
Apart from this cooperation agreement, both companies will continue to market their solutions independently through their own existing distribution channels.
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