International Milling Prize goes to Appenzell

"The milling and technology start-up SWISCA AG wins the Best of Show Award at the IAOM international milling trade fair in the USA. With a world first, the industry newcomer from Appenzell succeeds in convincing the jury of experts at the 125th anniversary conference. With a lot of steam - in the truest sense of the word - SWISCA AG wins the important prize in Little Rock. The jury of experts was particularly convinced by the unique "Dampe" humidification system from the engineering kitchen in Appenzell. This system uses nozzles to spray grain with water mist at the very beginning of the processing chain in the mill. This enables higher efficiency in flour production later on. At the same time, the innovation scores with a high level of energy efficiency and food safety that is unrivalled in the market.

An important production process in a flour mill is moistening to ensure uniform grinding and a high yield. The grain is thus prepared for an optimal milling condition. By adding water to the grain and tempering it in the silos, the bran layers become tough and elastic and the endosperm inside the grain is softened. This is the optimal condition for separating the hull and the endosperm as efficiently as possible during milling. With Swisca's invention, moisture and density can already be measured precisely during weighing and the addition of water can be calculated exactly. A completely new process with minimal energy requirements applies the moisture to the surface of the grains with a water mist. The machine, which was developed together with St.Gallen-based Trinox Engineering AG, is also automatically cleaned using clean-in-place technology for optimal food safety.

SWISCA's innovations are aimed at the conscious use of energy and the reduction of consumption through technical energy-saving measures and concepts to ensure that food does not have any adverse health effects or damage for the end consumer. The machines manufactured in Appenzell for leading food processing companies are exported to over 40 countries and are characterised by unique energy efficiency and food safety. SWISCA machines can save over 95 per cent of energy costs.

The IAOM Annual Conference is the most important event for the grain milling industry. The conference brings together milling and related professionals from around the world. It is also the world's largest machinery exhibition for milling professionals with over 140 companies in the milling industry."