Anuga FoodTec 2024 live: Krones subsidiary develops membrane filtration tech for food processing
22 Mar 2024 --- Krones subsidiary Milkron is presenting its new proprietary membrane filtration systems at Anuga FoodTec in Cologne, Germany.
The membrane filtration systems are designed to cater to various applications, from traditional dairy products to plant-based alternatives, including ketchup, dressings, fruit preparations, soft drinks and juices.
The systems are equipped with modules for microfiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration and reverse osmosis, ensuring versatile and reliable processing capabilities. “For microfiltration, you have two different methods: One is ceramic, which we use for bacteria reduction, and the other is polymeric and it can be used to remove fat from the production stream,” Lars-Bo Fredsted, key account manager for Filtration at Milkron, tells Packaging Insights on the show floor.
“The polymeric microfiltration device is made of plastic polymers. All membranes look like this for filtration, nanofiltration or reverse osmosis. However, the layer inside the membrane itself has different pore sizes. For instance, an ultrafiltration module will have a larger pore size and not require much pressure. The smaller the pore size, the more pressure you need to push it [products] through, and then these membrane housings also need to be of thicker material.”
One of the standout features of Milkron’s membrane filtration systems is their adaptability. The company leverages ceramic and spiral-wound membranes and capillary membranes developed using patented technology from the Krones Group, ensuring optimal filtration efficiency.
The membrane filtration system on display at Anuga FoodTec 2024.Applicable beyond dairy
Milkron’s systems are designed to maximize productivity while minimizing energy and water consumption through controlled transmembrane pressure and targeted backflushing during filtration and cleaning.
The versatility of the systems also extends beyond dairy products to encompass alternative foods, including plant-based proteins or fermentation-derived products. Milkron provides tailored solutions for concentrating and fractionating various substances, enabling it to meet evolving food industry demands.
Milkron’s membrane filtration systems are backed by a team of experts with over 35 years of industry experience, drawing on knowledge from the beverage industry and other subsidiaries within the Krones Group.
This collaborative approach ensures that Milkron delivers cutting-edge solutions that optimize production processes and enhance product quality.
Fredsted elaborates: “Milkron has had a lot of experience over the many years with the employees within the filtration business. And they decided, why buy filtration if we can build it ourselves and become an end-to-end supplier — it’s to make sure that clients have the full scope.”
Recovering waste water streams
As part of the Krones Group, Milkron also benefits from access to KIC Krones, a subsidiary specializing in consumables. This synergy enables Milkron to offer comprehensive support, including a range of filter media and consumables tailored to the needs of membrane filtration systems.
“Now Milkron has full responsibility from the raw material coming in to the final product going out. It includes pasteurization, storage tanks and filtration. Filtration is becoming increasingly important because it’s one way of purifying things.”
“Filtration is one way of concentrating things, but it’s also one way of recovering waste water streams in the process for reuse. And that’s with Krones’ sustainability targets. More inquiries are coming in from people who want to concentrate products — from proteins to making cheese and other foods.”
By Radhika Sikaria, with live reporting from Natalie Schwertheim at Anuga FoodTec 2024
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COMPANY DETAILS
Böhmerwaldstrasse 5, 93073 Neutraubling
Germany
www.krones.com
info@krones.comACTIVE MATERIALS
Aseptic; Caps & Closures; Design & Branding; Fiber-Based; Glass; Labels & Labeling; Machinery; Metals; Other Packaging; Recyclable; Reusables; Rigid Plastics
ACTIVE CATEGORIES
Synonymous with holistic systems engineering: Krones
The Krones Group, headquartered in Neutraubling, Germany, plans, develops and manufactures machines and complete lines for the fields of process, filling and packaging technology. And Krones also offers a fit-for-purpose solution for bottle-to-bottle recycling of PET containers. The product portfolio subsumed in the House of Krones is rounded off by numerous products and services from Krones’ subsidiaries, themed around digitalisation, for example, digital container decoration, intralogistics and in-house valve production. Every day, millions of bottles, cans, and special-shaped containers are handled on lines from Krones, particularly in breweries, the soft-drinks sector and at producers of still or sparkling wines, and spirits, but also in the food and luxury-goods industries, plus the chemical, cosmetics and pharmaceutical sectors.
Since being founded in 1951, Krones has become far more than a traditional-style machinery and line manufacturer: it has evolved into an all-round vendor for its clients. Mechanical engineering, line expertise, process engineering, microbiology and information technology have here been harmoniously integrated for optimum synergies. Krones is nowadays synonymous with holistic systems engineering. The company’s success is based on some few but crucial strategies: specialised knowledge of mechanical engineering and the customer sectors involved, a technical lead over its competitors driven by continuingly high expenditure on research and development, production facilities featuring state-of-the-art equipment operating to the most stringent of quality standards, backed up by worldwide 24/7 service support, and most especially by the skills of its highly trained and motivated staff. More than 5,700 full and utility patents bear eloquent witness to the company’s innovative potential.
Worldwide, Krones employs around 16,700 people. Consolidated sales in 2020 totalled 3.32 billion euros. Around 90 per cent of its products are sold abroad. The group includes not only Krones AG (listed on the stock exchange), but also more than 100 subsidiaries and further sales and service companies worldwide.
Krones and its subsidiaries and further sales and service companies cover the fields of
- Process technology solutions for milk, beer, malt beverages, CSD, juices, water and liquid food
- Bottling and packaging equipment, including labelling, inspection, filling, cleaning, packing and palletising technology as well as conveyor and plastics technology
- Machines and lines for the high, as well as the low output range
- Digitalisation, like automatic control systems and IT services
- Intralogistics, like warehouse management systems, Inhouse solutions and order picking systems
- Valves and pumps
- Homogenizers
- Digital decoration technology
- Lifecycle Service
- Consumables
- Used machines
- Injecting molding tools and services to the PET industry
- Recycling solutions for PET, PO and Polystyrol
