Swiss technology group B\u00fchler\u00a0 inaugurated its new Grain Innovation Center (GIC) in Uzwil, a trailblazing facility. The new application center marks a significant milestone in the field of grain processing innovation, combining high-tech solutions with the company\u2019s long-standing expertise in a space that promotes collaboration<\/p>\n
The GIC is carefully designed to empower customers from the food and animal nutrition industries to innovate and improve their processes, ensuring they stay ahead of the latest trends in milling and remain competitive in their rapidly evolving markets. Additionally, customers and partners have access to the comprehensive<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Grain Innovation Center is the latest addition to B\u00fchler\u2019s expanding network of Application & Training Centers in Uzwil,\u201d says Johannes Wick, CEO of Grains & Food at B\u00fchler Group.\u00a0 We cover the entire range of production, from various raw materials to a wide array of finished products. In doing so, we provide our customers with exceptional flexibility and the choices they need to address increasing challenges and revolutionize their markets\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n With changes in global grain supply chains, nutritional requirements, transparency of sourcing and pricing pressure, the milling industry faces a challenging environment. These include maintaining flour quality with variable raw materials, improving production and energy efficiency, managing safety issues, or finding and keeping well skilled professionals. Adopting new technologies \u2013 such as automation, IoT, and data analytics \u2013 and addressing environmental concerns add complexity, while growing consumer demand for healthier and more sustainable products has driven a faster pace of innovation.<\/p>\n For this purpose, B\u00fchler has designed a fresh, modern, and high-tech milling technology facility \u2013 the GIC. The new building is the successor to B\u00fchler\u2019s former Grain Technology Center, which has served the milling industry since 1951. The five-story facility spans 2,000 square meters and features state-of-the-art infrastructure along with over 70 pieces of cutting-edge equipment from B\u00fchler and its partners. The GIC works as a leading-edge arena for customers to experiment, innovate, and find concrete solutions to meet their specific needs<\/p>\n A high-tech \u201cplayground\u201d<\/strong> Food trials encompass a variety of raw materials, including cereals, herbs, spices, and pulses. The GIC includes the technology and expertise to conduct trials on local and ancient grains \u2013 raw materials that can play a vital role in improving food security in many countries. Leveraging its extensive know-how in processing, the GIC also offers testing for various other commodities, including coffee, nuts, and insects. Additionally, the Application & Training Center caters to non-food bulk solids, such as plastics and absorbers<\/p>\n Feed trials can be performed with production capacities of up to 5 tonnes per hour, covering the entire production line or individual process steps. \u201cOne of the main advantages of the GIC is its ability to provide not only detailed data that enable continuous and precise monitoring of the process but also the physical and chemical properties of the product at every stage of production and under different process conditions,\u201d says Lothar Driller, Department Manager Feed Application Center and Trainings at B\u00fchler<\/p>\n The side streams generated by the GIC, such as wheat bran and rice husks, corn husk, pea hulls, and screenings from cleaning, will feed B\u00fchler\u2019s Energy Recovery Center, which provides heating for B\u00fchler offices in Uzwil. Customers can also use this Center to explore the potential of utilizing side streams through energy recovery, which can lead to the reduction of their carbon footprint, waste, and energy costs<\/p>\n Part of a larger innovation hub<\/strong><\/p>\n The GIC is part of B\u00fchler\u2019s Application & Training Centers hub, which encompasses the four recently launched ATCs \u2013 Flavor Creation Center, Food Creation Center, Protein Application Center, and Energy Recovery Center \u2013 and other centers that have been in operation for several years, such as the Extrusion Application Center and Pasta Application Center<\/p>\n With this innovation hub, B\u00fchler can provide full, farm-to-fork coverage, encompassing entire value chains, an environment that is unique in the market. \u201cOur broad business stretches across the entire protein value chain, and we have meticulously implemented a strategy for partnerships, closing internal gaps and enhancing material flow,\u201d says Rudolf Hofer, Head of the Grain Innovation Center<\/p>\n Training and upskilling talent<\/strong><\/p>\n The modernization project also includes B\u00fchler\u2019s Milling Academy and the Swiss Institute of Feed Technology (SFT), both of which will be housed in a new structure strategically located next to the GIC to increase synergies. This new Milling Academy and the SFT facility will have classrooms, open learning areas, meeting rooms, a customer service corner, new laboratories, a workshop area, and a larger changing room for customers and employees.<\/p>\n The new building will enable B\u00fchler\u2019s team and customers to adapt and develop the skills needed to keep pace with a quickly changing and increasingly challenging work environment. About 1,000 customers and 150 internal employees were trained in more than 120 training courses offered by the Milling Academy and the Swiss Institute of Feed Technology in 2023. The new training facility is due to be operational by January 2025<\/p>\n Application & Training Center (ATC) hub in Uzwil, which connects entire value chains<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Swiss technology group B\u00fchler\u00a0 inaugurated its new Grain Innovation Center (GIC) in Uzwil, a trailblazing facility. The new application center marks a significant milestone in the field of grain processing innovation, combining high-tech solutions with the company\u2019s long-standing expertise in a space that promotes collaboration The GIC is carefully designed to empower customers from the …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":779,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[41,37],"tags":[310,312,314],"class_list":["post-778","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","category-seminars-fairs","tag-buhler","tag-grain","tag-wheat"],"yoast_head":"\n
\nThe GIC is equipped with the latest solutions and technologies for processing grain and pulses. Customers can conduct tests on food and animal feed and can develop new processes and solutions in various areas, including cleaning, optical sorting, grinding, sifting, mixing, protein shifting (a mechanical process that increases the protein concentration in plant-based raw materials). Additionally, they can work on hygienization and pelleting, as well as dehulling, peeling, and pearling of grains and pulses. \u201cThe GIC offers an unparalleled environment where customers can develop tailored processes and witness the extensive capabilities of B\u00fchler\u2019s diverse portfolio firsthand,\u201d says Stefan Birrer, Head of Business Area Milling Solutions at B\u00fchler. The GIC is not just a facility, it\u2019s a symbol of our commitment to helping customers succeed in an industry that is continuously evolving<\/p>\n