Everything about solids handling

“Gpi is an enthusiastic club that stands for extensive knowledge and effective, enjoyable collaboration!” ‘We see more than just a potato: we see opportunities. Opportunities to feed a growing world population and opportunities to create new products and production methods for our clients.’ This philosophy was explained to us by Lamb Weston/Meijer (LWM) when we met them for the first time. Lamb Weston/Meijer is one of the world’s biggest potato processors and is known for their deep-frozen coated and uncoated fries as well as other potato products such as potato flakes and specially shaped products like Twisters and Crisscuts. The construction of a new flake factory to expand the existing production site in Kruiningen will increase its annual production capacity by 180,000 tonnes. As a result, LWM will be able to satisfy the increasing demand for dried potato flakes. Gpi De Gouwe was called in to deliver the additive preparation system for the new site. “It took some time to create the definitive design, but we ultimately produced an additive line that perfectly matches the client’s needs and wishes,” says Leo Smits, Gpi De Gouwe’s Sales Design Manager. The system introduces additives to the potato flakes in an easy and user-friendly manner to ensure consistent quality of potato products throughout the entire year. Potatoes are a natural product and their quality depends on conditions during both the cultivation period and the harvest season. The provision of additives such as emulsifiers are vital to maintain consistent quality of the end product. Thanks to Gpi’s new system, additives can be easily and accurately added to the potato starch in precise dosages in order to produce potato flakes in the new factory. The additive preparation system (additive line) for the new factory consists of Big Bag unloading stations, vacuum transport systems, dosage and mixing tanks, tipping trays, piping and many other components, all of which are made of 100% stainless steel. The decision to work with Gpi was simple. “Gpi is a great sparring partner during the design process and they very quickly quoted us an extremely reasonable price accompanied by a clear schedule. Gpi De Gouwe is also a very open, honest and well-organised business,” explains Richard van de Sande, Project Manager at Lamb Weston/Meijer. “We can look back proudly on an extremely pleasant collaboration with results that both companies can be proud of,” adds Alexander Kraaijkamp, Managing Director at Gpi De Gouwe. A factory with one eye on the future Sustainability is a key priority at Lamb Weston/Meijer. In everything they do, from harvesting to smart processing methods, their goal is to work as efficiently as possible and minimise harm to the environment. The new factory will enable LWM to reduce its emissions. “This is crucial to our sustainability strategy. This investment will boost the global position of Lamb Weston/Meijers and enable us to achieve our growth ambitions, deliver new product innovation and improve our customer service,” says Marc Schroeder, CEO of Lamb Weston/Meijer in a press release. About the client Lamb Weston/Meijer’s roots trace back to the village of Kruiningen in Zeeland. 25 years ago, Meijer Frozen Foods embarked upon a joint venture with the US-based company Lamb Weston (a potato processing company in Weston, Oregon, owned by F. Gilbert Lamb). This successful partnership has since grown to become a globally operating business. The company has seven production plants and employs over 1,800 people. In addition to deep-frozen fries in all shapes and sizes, LWM also supplies dried potato flakes for use in soups, pasta, mashed potato and many other products. Lamb Weston/Meijer also sells this dried product in Nigeria under the name Poundo Potato. Around the world, this multifaceted potato product is extremely popular, particularly due to its excellent nutritional value. This is yet another reflection of how the employees of Lamb Weston/Meijer don’t just see a potato, they see opportunities…

Preparations for POWTECH 2022, which will be held at the Exhibition Center Nuremberg from September 27 - 29, 2022, are in full swing. POWTECH is Europe's undisputed leading trade fair for experts in mechanical processing technology. Here you will find innovations and further developments in all aspects of powder and bulk solids technology. And you will meet experts with whom you can discuss solutions and develop new projects. Wanted? Found! Who awaits you Get an overview already now of which exhibitors and products you can expect at the trade show. You can filter the database according to various criteria and fill your personal watch list. Exhibitors & Products Register now and get your free ticket! Don't miss out on POWTECH 2022. Simply use the following voucher code PT22GG when registering and receive free trade show admission to this year's POWTECH. Ticket sales as well as voucher redemption will take place exclusively online in advance. The tickets are available on mobile devices and allow contactless access. New in 2022: FACHPACK and POWTECH in duo Process industry meets packaging industry. FACHPACK, the European trade fair for packaging, technology and processes, will be held parallel to POWTECH. This event provides a compact yet comprehensive insight into the range of products and services covering the packaging process chain for industrial and consumer goods. Your ticket to POWTECH automatically secures you admission to FACHPACK. By the way: you can also research FACHPACK exhibitors and products via the online database!

From 26-28 September, the entire value chain of mechanical processing technology is presented in four packed halls at NürnbergMesse. POWTECH is the meeting place for powder and bulk solids professionals to discover product innovations, initiate projects and do business. Visitors also receive useful practical knowledge to take away every day in an interactive and personal way in lectures, seminars, live demonstrations, guided tours and special shows for every industry.

The FRITSCH A-22 NeXT Nano is your Laser Particle Sizer, when it comes to the highest accuracy and sensitivity even with the smallest particles - with an extra wide measuring range from 0.01 to 3800 μm. And as Micro version an economy alternative for a smaller measuring range from 0.5 to 1500 μm. Both are designed with just one laser and a number of patented features for maximum durability with minimum maintenance. Installation is easy via plug and play, thorough cleaning without tools with just few simple steps. And the high-performance software – delivered free of charge – offers unique options for evaluation and documentation and meets the requirements of 21 CFR Part 11. Overview of the main features: - Two different measuring ranges - perfectly equipped for all measuring tasks - Ultra-fast measuring times of less than a minute - Especially quick rinsing – four times faster than usual - Wear-free and low-maintenance - one professional maintenance per year is sufficient - Highly accurate measuring results – that exceed ISO 13320 All FRITSCH Laser Particle Sizers ANALYSETTE 22 NeXT are developed according to a smart, modular concept. You only buy what you really need and you can flexibly grow with your sizing tasks. The modules Module Dry dispersion unit It’s height-adjustable funnel and a stirrer made of stainless steel ensure optimum sample feeding adapted to the respective sample material. Module Wet dispersion unit Fast, uniform distribution of the sample material thanks to the powerful centrifugal pump with adjustable speed. Module Ultrasonic box For even finer adjustment of the wet dispersion to the respective sample – ideal if you frequently measure sample materials that tend to agglomerate. Module pH measurement Simple, continuous monitoring of the pH value of the dispersion liquid covers fluctuations much more effectively than the zeta potential. Module Extreme chemical resistance The special conversion kit for problem-free measurement when using aggressive organic solvents such as benzene or hexane. Watch Video The special features of the FRITSCH ANALYSETTE 22 NeXT and how it works – please have a look: www.youtube.com/embed/1mdaKYmNoCc?rel=0 Test the FRITSCH Particle Sizers! Send us your sample for an individual sample measurement – we will send you a detailed analysis protocol. Compare for yourself!   Get into contact with our Application Consultants Finding the perfect solution for your application is absolutely easy. Discuss your specific application with our application consultants and let them answer all your questions regarding particles sizing. You can also experience the FRITSCH instrument virtually directly at your workplace. Make your appointment now: www.fritsch-international.com/appointment. Up-dated information on FRITSCH particle sizing technology – from Static Light Scattering to Dynamic Image Analysis at www.fritsch-international.com/particle-sizing.

Global leading equipment suppliers, Fitzpatrick, Quadro and Steridose, opened their new Technology Centre based in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada on 5th May. This new facility, which extends to over 3,600 square feet, consists of 3 self-contained and fully equipped Test Labs and an Analysis Area, alongside comfortable meeting rooms in which to discuss test results. The new Technology Centre is set up as a space in which researchers, developers and manufacturers can come and develop customized test matrices, trial batch sizes from small to large quantities using the range of equipment which spans Lab, Pilot, and full Production scale models. Valuable feasibility and scale-up trials with the latest technologies will help customers in reducing integration and commissioning times. Commenting on the launch, Wilf Sanguesa, IDEX Pharma Research & Technology Manager said: The team is excited to apply our collective ingenuity and internationally leading expertise to help our customers improve their manufacturing processes, speed up timelines and provide a clear pilot-to-mass-scale manufacturing blueprint. This new lab enables us to do even more testing with customers, while at the same time having space to do our own research and development. The Test Lab Cells are well-resourced with equipment from Quadro, Fitzpatrick and Steridose including: • Quadro & Fitzpatrick – solids milling & screening with the SLS, SDx mid-scale and production scale models, Overdriven Comils. • Fitzpatrick Roller Compaction – LCS Lab-scale, CCS320 and CCS720 production-scale models. • Quadro Liquids – Y0 jet mixer, HV0/HV1 high shear homogenizers, Z1 high shear emulsifier and ZC0/ZC1 high speed powder dispersers • Steridose – small to mid-scale liquid batch mixing. The Analysis Area contains a comprehensive array of equipment that will enable complete solids and liquids particle size characterization, including: • Particle Size distributions through Laser Diffraction • Particle Shapes via 1000x binocular microscope • Powder Flowing evaluations (Rheometer) and Bulk & Tapped Densities • Compacted ribbon densities from a Volume & Density Analyzer   All test results are professionally presented in a customized report with recommendations on the equipment & set up parameters, which can be transferred to the manufacturing environment, back at site. If you can’t make it to a test, then video conferencing and streaming enables customers to be there virtually. The new technology centre is also home to a training academy which will offer practical and theoretical sessions on the latest technology, trends, and applications. "The launch consolidates our commitment to provide customers with world-leading solutions and industry-changing technologies. This will enable us to work more collaboratively with customers, partners and researchers to solve the challenges of today and prepare for the opportunities of tomorrow," said Brad Besse, IDEX VP MPT Processing Technologies. The centre is open from Monday to Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm and the team are ready to welcome you to conduct your own testing. To learn more or schedule a visit, contact us at: Fitzpatrick – Dry Granulation and Hammer Milling https://www.fitzpatrick-mpt.com/technology-centre Quadro Engineering - Milling and Particle Size Reduction https://www.quadro-mpt.com/technology-centre Quadro Liquids – High Shear Mixing, Powder Dispersion and Homogenization https://www.quadroliquids.com/technology-centre Steridose - Biopharmaceutical and Pharmaceutical Mixing Equipment https://www.steridose.com/technology-centre Located in Canada, Quadro, Fitzpatrick, Steridose are Business Units of IDEX MPT, Inc. They are original innovators and trusted partners of the majority of the world’s top pharmaceutical, chemical, nutraceutical and biotech companies.