Bühler opens puffing technology center

Bühler, a Swiss-based food processing solutions provider, opened its new Puffing Application Center in Uzwil, Switzerland, providing food and feed producers with industrial-scale capabilities to develop plant-based products. The center strengthens Bühler’s network of research and training centers, equipping customers with the tools and expertise to rapidly and efficiently test, optimize, and scale up puffed grain and pulse products – all under one roof.

Puffing is a hydrothermal process that uses heat and pressure to expand the volume of raw materials significantly. The technology is versatile and applicable to a broad range of products – snacks, ready-to-eat breakfast cereals, confectionery, bakery items, and dairy applications. Their increased volume and porosity make them lighter and crispier. Puffing enhances digestibility by breaking down starches, extends shelf life by reducing moisture, and boosts nutritional value through preserving and easy enrichment with vitamins, minerals, or proteins.

To support customers in leveraging the full potential of this technology, Bühler has launched its new Puffing Application Center, a platform for innovation, testing, and product development. “With this center, we are ready to support customers worldwide – not only in food but also in pet food and feed, where demand for crispy, nutritious products is on the rise,” says Christoph Vogel, head of business unit human nutrition at Bühler. “It is an invitation to the industry to innovate sustainably and cost-effectively, amid growing pressure on margins and supply chains.”

Capacity to match every process

Bühler Cerex puffing technology for food and feed is available in three configuration sizes to meet different production needs. The Single system supports throughputs of 350 to 500 kilograms per hour (kg/h), making it ideal for early-stage product development and small-scale production. The Double system offers capacities ranging from 700 to 1,000 kg/h, enabling mid-scale operations. For high-capacity requirements, the Quattro system delivers between 1,400 and 2,000 kg/h. At the Puffing Application Center, the Single system is available for trials and demonstrations. 

Thanks to the new research and training center, customers can rapidly test and optimize puffed products made from a wide variety of grains and pulses, such as quinoa, chickpeas, and ancient grains. The ability to experiment with diverse raw materials helps create products that meet consumer demand for healthier, clean-label options, with lower fat, sugar, and salt, and higher protein and fiber content. “With Bühler’s technical expertise and advanced equipment, customers can fine-tune recipes and validate product performance at scale, all without the need to invest in their R&D infrastructure,” says Carol Krech, head of market segment cereals and snacks at Bühler.

All you need, under one roof

The Puffing Application Center is fully integrated into Bühler’s network of research and training centers in Uzwil, which includes facilities such as the Grain Innovation Center, Flavor Creation Center, Food Creation Center, and Protein Application Center. This unique configuration enables customers to develop complete product concepts – from puffed snack pellets to cereal bars and chocolate applications – all within a unified innovation process. Customers can bring pulses to Bühler’s Grain Innovation Center for cleaning and sorting, puff them at the new facility, and finalize products at adjacent centers, streamlining the entire development process. 

“This is a rare opportunity for customers to develop and refine entire product concepts in one place, from raw material to finished application. By combining multiple technologies and expert teams under one roof, we help customers accelerate innovation while reducing complexity, cost, and time to market,” adds Krech.

Greater variety, reduced environmental footprint

Building on this integrated approach, Bühler Cerex puffing technology plays a crucial role in streamlining product development. It boosts grain processing by achieving yields of over 95%, minimizing waste, and ensuring uniform puffing across a wide range of grains. With 50% less energy consumption than comparable systems, it uses just 60 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per 100 kilograms (kg) of product, versus 120 kWh. Additionally, it delivers a stable, industrial-grade puffing process that meets the highest food safety standards.