Turnkey solutions for soybean processing

RISING demand for plant-based proteins across the globe puts Yung Soon Lih Food Machine Co., Ltd (YSLFOOD) in a position of strength. For the past 30 years, the company has been manufacturing a diverse range of equipment for processing tofu, soybean milk, bean sprouts, alfalfa sprouts, and vegan meat foods. It pioneered the development and production of turnkey solutions for soybean processing lines in Taiwan, and has earned the most local patents. It continues to expand R&D and customisation capabilities as it eyes new markets. Currently it provides equipment and services to manufacturers in over 40 countries in North and South America, Europe, Oceania, and Asia.

Brian Cheng, CEO of Yung Soon Lih Food Machine Co., Ltd

Healthy demand for soy

“Since 2000, the global consumption of soybeans has been growing continually, almost doubling in 2016/17. Likewise, this has been matched by the global production of soybeans,” shares company CEO Brian Cheng, who is also supervisor at the Taiwan Food & Pharmaceutical Machinery Manufacturers' Association (TFPMA).

YSLFOOD is confident in Southeast Asia’s soy market where interest in veganism/vegetarianism is also on the rise.

“With a total population of 645 million and a population growth rate between 0.08% and 1% annually, over six million people are added to Southeast Asia’s population each year. Consumers are becoming more health-conscious, so demand for tofu, soy milk, and soy foods—which are perceived to be healthier—has increased in Southeast Asia,” adds Mr. Cheng.

Hence soybean food manufacturers are expanding their portfolio to include soy and other healthy proteins food. According to United Nations statistics, the region’s vegetarian claims for 2012-2016 increased by 140%.

“Soybeans are increasingly sought after by Southeast Asia’s processed soy milk and tofu industries, in order to assure consistency, quality and high standards of end products for modern retail markets. Similarly, soy food producers employ technology such as ‘YSLFOOD’s unique modulation technology’ to improve the quality and taste of soy milk and tofu.”

The company is also open to building partnerships with manufacturers that wish to upgrade their soy and tofu operations and skills. The most popular turnkey solutions are the Tofu Production Line, Fresh Soymilk Production Line, and Vegan Meat Production Line (Soya Meat Machine).

Soybean processing equipment

Food safety in processing

With consumers now more cautious about the chemicals in food products, manufacturers have to choose their equipment more carefully. Often food processing requires the use of chemical additives. Even in cooking hard tofu for example, makers will add de-foaming agents to remove bubbles that form during cooking. With YSLFOOD’s de-foaming machine, tofu producers don’t have to use de-foaming agents, and thus their product additive-free.

Part of the success of its machinery also lies in the YSLFOOD’s in-depth study of beans. In developing its bean sprout machine, for example, the company discovered a way to produce bean sprouts without having to add chemicals to the plants the way bean sprouts producers would normally do. The company is also teaching producers this technique.

Overcoming obstacles in vegetarian food production

Through the years, YSLFOOD has mastered the process of making vegetarian food, and has addressed two major concerns, that of safety and hygiene especially in raw material handling and storage as well as nutrient quality of the end products.

The company assures that its vegetarian food processing technology enhances the retention of protein and increases the use of protein. It also stands by the hygiene standards of its equipment. At the same time, YSLFOOD provides solutions for a customer’s plant output. As part of its service, it provides quality management and control technology to customers.

The road to automation

Many Southeast Asian manufacturers are automating their production, although most still rely on manual labour. Yung Soon Lih helps its customers take the first steps in automation management.   

“In recent years, many Southeast Asian companies operating locally began to experience severe labour shortages or rising wage costs, and so they started incorporating automation systems into their production lines,” explains Mr. Cheng.  “The manufacturing paradigm in Yung Soon Lih has evolved from the mass production of uniform equipment to customization of advanced equipment. This trend, which is especially apparent in the automation and production information application, is a significant driver of Southeast Asian’s demand for tofu, soy milk intelligent automation systems.”

Yung Soon Lih Food Machine Co., Ltd.

A: No.55, Ln.360, Zhongshan Rd., Shengang Dist., Taichung City, Taiwan

T: 886-4-2561 0868

F: 886-4-2561 2308

E: yslfood@yslfood.com

W: www.yslfood.com