Terlotherm holds the lead in petfood cooling

Leading high quality pet food manufacturer, Naturediet, have installed a Terlotherm scraped surface heat exchanger from Terlet of Holland.

Scraped surface heat exchangers are designed to bring about rapid heating or cooling without burning or solidifying the product on the walls of the vessel.

Naturediet’s unique Aseptic pet food production ensures the highest possible end quality with ultimate palateabilty. However cooling was giving them a different challenge

Having tried sets of scraped surface heat exchangers from other manufacturers, Naturediet were fed up with the constant leaking of the seals, necessitating frequent down time for seal changes, with aseptic seals being a very expensive maintenance issue.

The unique Terlotherm ensures that inspection and scraper changes can be carried out without disturbing the single mechanical seal. A single Terlotherm has replaced a set of 3 units, with resulting savings in running costs and maintenance, plus the Terlotherm takes up the minimum of line space being floor standing.

The Terlotherm is able to heat and cool petfoods slurries, gravies and jellies, with no risk of product damage, and meat pieces of upto 25mm dice can pass with no damage. The system also generates minimum pressure on delicate ingredients.

Holmach stars at PPMA

Holmach is delighted to announce some new technology at the forthcoming PPMA show at the NEC, Birmingham from 27^th
to 29^th September 2011, on Stand D72 in Hall 5.

 

Heating  and Cooling

Terlotherm scraped surface heat exchangers are already the market leading technology in Europe and the latest generation
receives its UK launch on the stand.
Designed for both heating, cooling, crystallising or gelling the unique design means low energy consumption and maintenance, coupled with ability to handle large particulate soups, sauces and even mashed potato!

 

Cooking  Vessels

More new technology; two small vessels from Terlet and Roboqbo allow the processing of small batches, with the Roboqbo
being used for reductions, homogenising and pureeing.  The in-built pressure and vacuum system is ideal for condiments, relishes and confectionery including perfect Ganache!  See them working on the stand and sample some of the food being produced.

Thermal Processing

Revtech presents patented decontamination and toasting/roasting equipment for seeds, nuts, herbs, cereals and spices.  Vibratory transport techniques ensure no damage to delicate products and a 6 log pasteurisation is achievable without denaturing .  Recently 3 systems have been installed for air roasting peanuts and another for decontamination of pet
food ingredients.  

Pasteurising and sterilising of in-pack products comes courtesy of Lagarde who present a rotary pilot autoclave for handling everything from meals in trays to rice in pouches, sauces in glass, soups in cans and beans in pots.  Capable of rotary and static processing the machine’s ideal for process evaluation and recipe development.

Terlet serves up tasty solution for AB World Foods

Holmach are delighted to announce the supply of a new cooking system for the production of AB World Foods ethnic sauces including the leading Patak’s™ brand.

Following a request for Holmach to examine the current cooking system and recommend improvements, a new 3,000 litre cooking vessel and a Terlotherm™ scraped surface heat exchanger were installed at the Leigh factory, allowing product produced in the vessel to be rapidly heated on transfer to the filler.  The boosting of temperatures guarantees the pasteurisation process could be optimised as the initial temperature of the product was higher – leading to improved product quality especially on vegetables that are included in some of the recipes.

3,000 litre cooking vessels are just part of the Terlet range of cooking and aseptic systems.  The 3 ton vessel supplied includes a high shear mixer for particulates and powders, a special dimpled jacket heating system that gives 30% energy saving efficiency over standard heating jackets and an in-line homogeniser for making the sauce bases smooth and glossy.  With easy access for tipping of ingredients, AB World Foods are very happy with the speed at which batches can be prepared, and are then transferred over to a buffer tank near the filler.  Cooking times have been reduced significantly and the injector technology means a saving of 1% of steam usage on every batch.

Terlotherm, the unique scraped surface heat exchanger from Terlet, features only one mechanical seal and drive meaning much lower maintenance costs and the ability to inspect machine and scrapers without disturbing the seal.  One Terlotherm is able to do the job of 3, 4 or even 5 units from other manufacturers with no constant drip-drip of leaky seals.

Andrew Downie, Operations Manager at AB World Foods commented: “ We have much experience on scraped surface heat exchangers and had used other systems until we were introduced to the Terlotherm by Holmach.  The machine not only delivers superior quality product, but has proved totally reliable and has replaced a bank of 4 units from our previous supplier.”

But product quality is what the Terlotherm is about, whether heating or cooling, crystallising or gelling.  Designed for soft particulates, the rotation speed of the scraper arms can be as little as 10 rpm or as high 150rpm. On the AB World Foods product, even delicate onion strands can be handled without cutting or chopping, a major advantage over their existing technology.

With temperatures being boosted up to 20 degrees C between buffer and filler, the product does not get held at ultra high temperatures for very long, hence the lack of damage to delicate ingredients!  The machine has proved such a hit that AB World Foods have ordered a second machine for another line.

Yummy Scrummy Baby Foods

 

Very rarely can a machine that looks like a submarine be described as Truly Scrummy, but premium baby food producer, Kealth Foods, can hardly stop gurgling about their fantastic new arrival, a Lagarde retort.

The patented design means product is gently steamed to achieve beautiful baby food products in pouches, which customers are gobbling up as fast as production can make them.  Major investment has followed and as well as baby foods, Kealth make other high quality food products used widely in hospitals and for those with special dietary needs.

All Lagarde retorts now come as standard with the patented “Samantha” control system which is the first specially designed PC for retort control.  Class beating temperature and pressure control, guarantees even the most delicate laminates can be handled without deformation or damage.

With regulatory authorities demanding more and more specific report filing, the Samantha PC also claims another wining feature – batch reports in FDA approved formats.  Automatic report generation, electronic signatures, alarm and recipe information and evaluation of batch reports in standard document formats are all key benefits.

Specially designed trays allow maximum retort utilisation, saving energy and reducing the environmental impact of each pouch produced. 

Gary Bulmer, Kealth’s Managing Director commented: “When we contacted Holmach we were unfamiliar with retorting equipment, ancillaries and procedure. Holmach has provided us with excellent technical support and assistance, coupled with the quality of the Lagarde machine and PC based control, we were able to always ensure the best quality as well as complying with ever increasing reporting requirements.  Holmach’s after sales support has also been exemplary.”

Lagarde, as the World’s leading steam retort manufacturer have a reputation for high build quality, and supply most of the World’s leading manufacturers with static and rotary retorts and giving Kealth Foods a healthy start in pouch processing!

Roboqbo cools fevered brows

Roboqbo’s vacuum cook/cool vessels are proving a great hit for those wanting to rapidly cook and cool soups, sauces and marinades.

Using an internal vacuum system, linked to the CIP system to avoid bacterial growth when high vacuum is used for rapid cooling, the ultimate product quality can be guaranteed, especially when the chilled water jacket is used in combination.

The Roboqbo vessels are able to cut, cook and cool all in the one tiltable vessel, with sizes ranging from NPD units at 15 litres to high capacity 500 litre batches

Featuring a touch screen recipe management system the vessels can also be fitted with their own steam generation and compressed air systems.

Holmach have a demonstration unit available for trials and machines have already been installed for products such as natural tomato salsas, mayonnaise and fresh soups.

Lagarde secures major UK Petfood order

 

Holmach’s longest serving Principal, Lagarde Autoclaves is building new retorts for a major UK petfood processor, to be installed at the end of 2010.

The customer, having compared cycle times and energy consumptions from all the major retort suppliers, decided that the Lagarde steam/air technology gave them the best product, at the lowest possible costs.

The 2 door retorts are designed for through the wall operation, allowing true segregation from the processing and packaging sides of the factory.

Lagarde Autoclaves For Pouches

Optimised for pouches, each Lagarde 2 meter diameter unit is over 8 meters long and can accomodate nearly 12,000 petfood pouches per batch.

Commenting on the order, Chris Holland said: ” We are delighted to have proven once again, that Lagarde remain at the forefront of autoclave technology. The two door design utilised is a major first on this size of retort, and Lagarde engineers have worked hard to ensure the new technology employed has been fully tested.”

Lagarde remain one of the few manufacturers in the world to produce autoclaves using all types of different process medium including steam/air, steam spray, raining water and full water immersion technologies.

Lagarde Success at TOTAL

Holmach Ltd was delighted with the interest shown at the recent TOTAL exhibition in Lagarde’s new state of the art Pilot Retort.

Enquiries for machines for processing everything from Rice, ready meals and sauces to rubber (!) were taken.

Lagarde’s new rotary pilot technology includes full PC control ensuring highly accurate processing on sensitive packaging materials and ultimate traceability – including FDA compatible report filing, if required.

Rotary Pilot at TOTAL

Lagarde produce a wide range of static and rotary retorts for food, textile and pharmaceutical applications.  One of the latest developments is the use of dry cooling – where air or gas and not water is  used for the cooling of products.

Further information is available – just drop us an email or use the reply form on the contact page.

Major UK order for seed sterilisation

Holmach has recently secured the first major order for a Revtech seed sterilising and toasting unit, destined for the UK.

Revtech processing Sesame Seeds

With recent issues and product recalls on products such as sesame and pumpkin seeds as well as almonds, the Revtech unit is able to guarantee a 6 log reduction on microbial populations and the total elimination of Entero-bacteria such as E-coli and Salmonella.

Using a patented process, the machine is able to decontaminate using a combination of dry heat with a steam cycle to effectively handle seeds and nuts without mechanical damage. Systems are available with capacities ranging from 100kgs to 10 tons per hour. It is also ideal for cereals, herbs, spices, pulses and gums.

Not using steam to heat the product ensures that the essential oils are not stripped, the moisture content is controlled and as importantly, product is discharged cool, ready for immediate packing, minimising the risk of recontamination. The steam part of the process only occurs once the product is at temperature, minimising condensation and stripping – which will preserve the seed’s natural defences and shelf life.

Revtech System

 The Revtech system is also highly efficient, minimising the cost per ton to process. The design means that toasting and roasting can also be carried out at the same time – temperatures up to 500 ºC are possible. Other units have recently been supplied in Europe and the United States, for products such as peanuts, almonds, herbs and spices.

 For further information please contact us.

Jordan Joins Holmach

We are delighted to announce that Paul Jordan has joined Holmach as Engineering Manager, responsible for service and support for our stable of World Class machinery manufacturers. 

Paul joins Holmach having worked previously for Elsome Engineering where he was responsible for installation and support of retorts and ancillary services.

 

He has an in-depth knowledge of Lagarde retorts who we have represented for nearly 15 years.   As well as Lagarde, Paul brings knowledge of  Terlotherm scraped surface heat exchangers, Terlet process vessels and NIKO tunnel pasteurisers, all of which are important products for Holmach.

Commenting on the appointment, Holmach’s Managing Director, Chris Holland said: “Paul joins us as we seek to expand our support to our clients.  Even with the best engineered equipment, we feel that food manufacturers are increasingly concerned about rapid response for assistance. Not only can we offer this from our in-house resources but with Paul’s expertise, through a network of trained sub-contractors.”

Paul will be based at Holmach’s office in Stamford.

Holmach enjoys bumper PPMA show

Chris Holland, Managing Director of Holmach was delighted with the response to the new technology previewed at the latest PPMA show in Birmingham.

Of particular interest to visitors was the demonstration of the Roboqbo cut/cook/cool vessels as well as Terlet’s market leading scraped surface heat exchanger, the Terlotherm.

Chris said: We had lots of interest across the range of exhibits and it certainly appears that manufacturers are looking to 2010 for an upturn in the market, hence the desire to invest now.

For further details on the new technology shown, give us a ring or drop an email to info@holmach.co.uk