Highlights at Anuga FoodTec 2012

Instant maize process is cited by DLG
International FoodTec awards were conferred on two Buhler technologies: Gold for a process that reduces cooking time for maize, and Silver for an enclosed system for pasta drier that recirculates heat as energy into the drier. "We won the gold medal for a new process for maize to make maize instantly cooked," explained Marcel Ramseyer. "With our machinery, it's possible to maize or polenta instantly [rather than] for 40 minutes. And now with our process, you can cook it in two to five minutes."
The process was first developed for markets in southern Africa, where corn meal mush is the most important staple food. Awards organiser DLG (Deutsche Landwirtschafts- Gesellschaft – German Agricultural Society), said the instant maize using the new technology "comes very close to the traditional product in terms of taste, texture and mouthfeel. Due to the cost efficient production process, the costs for the final products are only slightly above those of the traditional product. Consumers benefit from time and energy savings without any compromise of quality." The economic recovery system in the pasta drier, meanwhile, can save 130kWh thermal energy per ton of spaghetti compared to traditional processes. "Compared to conventional dryers, the Ecothermatik uses 40% less heat, 20% less cooling and 10% less electricity. This delivers serious cost savings along with the highest quality long-cut pasta. Its streamlined design also allows easy access for cleaning and maintenance," according to the Bühler website.
Bühler Asia Private Limited
T: +65 6 339 69 00
F: +65 6 336 22 87
W: www.buhlergroup.com

Better way to offer chilled ready meals
People are becoming increasingly aware of what they eat, but have less time to cook properly. On the one hand, there is a growing demand for convenience food, and on the other, consumers want their meals to be nutritious. MicVac A from Sweden, the developer for in-pack microwave cooking
and pasteurisation, claimed that their technique offers chilled ready meals that are both healthy and tasty. Sales & Marketing director Christina Frohm Kramer said the in-pack system is unique because meals can stays fresh for approx. 30 days in a refrigerated shelf (8°C) – without additives. "This is interesting for producers because more and more customers want the food they eat to be fresh and safe, but also not to have to many additives, especially preservatives," Ms Kramer said. Demand for ready meals is growing worldwide, and consumers in the United Kingdom, in particular, have shown a preference for chilled microwaveable meals. "Our customers can use 100% fresh ingredients every time to prepare every meal, and still offer the convenience that the market demands," she explained. The process requires a complete MicVac system to fill, seal, heat and cool, whilst the packaging solution is made up of the film, the tray and a patented valve, which releases a distinctive sound when the food is cooked through in the microwave and alerts the consumer that the meal is ready to eat.
MicVac AB
T: +46 31 706 1244
F: +46 31 706 1249
W: www.micvac.com

Into the SPX fold
Although SPX displayed a range of technologies, the big news was the Fortune 500 company's acquisitions through its Flow Technology unit. "We're very keen about talking about the different companies coming into the SPX family," explained Irene Constantin, Marketing Communications manager - EMEA. "We have had five or six acquisitions during the past two years. Formerly, all of them had different brand names and branding signs, and now we're showing that they have come under the SPX brand and belong to the same family. "The most recent, Seital Srl, supplies disk centrifuges used primarily in the dairy and beveragNike Shox Deliver