Swiss technology company Bühler Group has integrated NapaRoast’s pasteurization and roasting technology. With the addition of the NapaRoast steam vacuum pasteurization technology to its broad portfolio, Bühler strengthens its market position in the nuts processing industry to cater even better to trends such as healthy snacking, regulatory compliance, and sustainable practices. “The integration of NapaRoast puts us in the unique position to be a one-stop shop for our customers. The best-in-class pasteurization process guarantees food safety and traceability, and, in combination with our proven technologies for nuts processing, added efficiency. With the integration of the NapaRoast solution into our portfolio, we look forward to sharing the benefits of this technology and serving the NapaRoast customer base – not just for nuts, but for many of the food processing solutions Bühler offers as well,” says Cathrin Flühler, Head of Market Segment Nuts at Bühler.
The global nut market is growing at an annual rate of up to 7%. The popularity and reputation of tree nuts and ground nuts as healthy snacks due to their high levels of protein, fiber, and antioxidants is growing steadily. With this developing worldwide demand comes an increased focus on food safety. NapaRoast’s steam-vacuum pasteurization process provides the best answer to the stringent microbial contamination requirements that processors are facing today. “Our pasteurization process offers a high pathogen reduction of >5 log in nuts, seeds, and all low moisture foods. During our process steam is used to raise the surface temperature of the product to kill pathogens effectively,” explains Dr. Cameon Ivarsson, Co-Founder of NapaRoast. By pasteurizing with saturated steam, the products can be treated effectively at lower temperatures in a partial vacuum. The high efficiency of saturated steam does not require a drying step thus protecting the quality, texture, color, and flavor of the product.
The missing piece to the puzzle
“We already covered the most important steps such as transport, sorting, storage, roasting, and grinding in our portfolio. When it came to the pasteurization process, however, we had to rely on solutions from suppliers. Now, our customers can get all the important technologies along the value chain from Bühler, which creates valuable synergies for everyone involved. This collaboration is a perfect match between two companies with the same values such as quality, ingenuity, and creating value for customers and consumers,” says Cathrin Flühler.
Cameon Ivarsson adds: “With Bühler, there is a huge opportunity to multiply the impact of our pasteurization technologies across the globe. Their large customer base paired with decades of experience in plant and process engineering will get the most out of the technology. We could not be more excited about the future for nuts processing.”
The NapaRoast pasteurization technology is installed in over 40 processing plants around the world, mainly in the United States, Europe, and Africa. Pasteurization and roasting lines are offered in throughputs ranging from 1 tonne per hour to 6 tonnes per hour. Because of the unique design of the process where the product is treated in bulk bins, there is no breakage, dust, and waste, and down time for product changeover is minimized. Its flexibility allows for the processing of whole pieces, chopped ingredients or powders as well.
A unique playground for nuts processors
To showcase its position in nuts processing and to give customers the unique opportunity to test and train along the value chain, Bühler has upgraded its Flavor Creation Research and Training Center processing in Uzwil, Switzerland. “Of course, the pasteurization step is integrated into our state-of-the-art facility for our customers to get first-hand experience of the technology. We are excited to open our center in August this year for trials and to invite them to the first exclusive training session on November 4 and 5,” says Cathrin Flühler.
