At Vitafoods Europe 2016, Glatt (stand L82) will present state-of-the-art fluidised bed and spouted bed technologies to dry, agglomerate, granulate and coat various ingredients.
Thanks to its comprehensive expertise, the company is able to provide solutions for demanding or complex applications that require precisely defined shape or solubility characteristics, homogenous particle sizes or the functional protection of active ingredients, for example.
For nutritional supplement manufacturers, working with ingredients or products that are supposed to feature particular properties can be demanding — whether it’s a technological challenge during production, a specific protective role or a sensory or nutritional function.
Glatt will showcase processes in which liquids can be spray granulated, powders can be agglomerated and sensitive substances can be encapsulated. Depending on the application requirements, the selection and combination of the right process parameters is important: how fast, if at all, should the product dissolve? When should the flavour or active ingredient be released? What role does bulk density play in terms of application, handling, storage and packaging, and how stable do the particles need to be?
Glatt’s fluidised bed technology enables manufacturers to optimise product properties. As such, drink powders comprising semi-hydrophobic components or agglomerated baby foods can be produced that do not separate and offer both excellent solubility and homogenous particle distribution properties.
Nutritional supplements can also be covered with functional film coatings that provide better active ingredient release profiles. Plus, with the help of spray granulation, it is possible to dry liquid food additives and precisely adjust their particle size. In Geneva, Glatt will demonstrate this with the help of Augmented Reality systems, including a virtual tour and interesting animations. Various samples and products will also be available.
The company also provides extensive consulting experience and offers pilot plants for early stage trials and testing. These plants are available both at the company’s technology centre as well as for use in the client’s own laboratories. Besides planning, construction and the implementation of tailor-made production plants, Glatt also offers comprehensive engineering services as well as entire turn-key solutions.
Volker Budzinski, Sales Manager, Food, Feed & Fine Chemicals, commented: 'Our clients approach us with many different questions and requirements. Together, we develop the most appropriate technological strategy. Primarily, we are solution providers. We develop and optimise processes for various application issues — and also design the appropriate individual plant or even entire production lines that are ready to use. We accompany our clients from initial start-up to conclusion. As an alternative, we also provide contract manufacturing services.'