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Uelzena is a specialised spray dryer of high-care infant food components

The contract spray dryer Uelzena strengthens its expertise in the drying of baby food components such as vitamins and minerals with the commissioning of its new spray drying plant Tower 12. A total of four spray towers of different sizes and designs are now available at the central production site in Uelzen for the drying of infant food components.

Expansion of capacities for contract drying of infant food

"The product safety requirements for ingredients for infant formula, such as minerals or vitamins on carrier materials, have risen continuously in recent years. In this context and with the aim of expanding existing partnerships with baby food manufacturers, the construction of a new high-care spray drying plant was a logical and consequential step for us. We are therefore optimally positioned to continue supporting our customers in the food and infant food industry as a preferred and sought-after specialist in the future as well.“ Bernd Gewecke, managing director for ingredients and contract manufacturing, explains the decision to build a new spray drying plant.

Efficient new spray drying plant for high-care production

The new spray drying plant has now been in operation for several months. The equipment of the new plant includes a strict hygiene zone concept with product and people access gates to separate the different areas, containment systems for the active ingredient dosing and filling systems, elaborate cleaning concepts with separate washing and drying rooms for cleaning plant components as well as high-performance ventilation and filter systems for fresh and exhaust air. Besides the spray tower itself, "Tower 12" also includes other central areas, such as a high-performance wet mixing area with various technologies for preparing the raw materials as well as feeding stations for ingredients and active ingredients, fully automated filling systems and various technical and social rooms. Everything is embedded in a completely self-contained separate spray drying plant, which is state-of-the-art in terms of hygiene, technology and efficiency.  

„Due to the new "Tower 12" plant, the contract drying division can offer its customers all the required potential to grow on a long-term basis, strategically and in compliance with all necessary qualitative aspects. The new building enables us to offer our customers state-of-the-art services in terms of technology, sustainable production and environmental protection. We are particularly proud of the extremely high level of hygiene at our new facility.“ comments Simone Oeder, sales manager for contract drying. 
 

Flexible technologies for an optimised concentrate production

The upstream process of concentrate production is essential for creating an optimal spray product, as the mixing process directly influences the quality of the subsequent spray product. The new plant is therefore extensively equipped with various technologies, e.g. for heating and emulsification, which can be flexibly combined with each other in order to perfectly and individually prepare the very different raw materials.  

Automated packaging lines for bag-in-boxes

Initially, the powder is filled into big bags directly under the tower. The final packaging in 5 kg to 25 kg aluminium tubular bags (bag-in-box system) then takes place decoupled and downstream on currently two largely automated, separate packaging lines. The filling of big bags and tubular bags takes place under optimum high-care conditions within the plant's strictest hygiene zone. The products are then transported via a conveyor bridge with an automatic transport line into the fully automated, neighbouring high-bay warehouse, which was commissioned in 2019. Palletising and storage are carried out there using state-of-the-art robot technology. 

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