Changes in the modern lifestyle, dietary habits, and hectic schedules of today’s consumers have led to an increased demand for processed, ready-to-eat, convenience foods. However, these foods required that they have the taste and texture as that of freshly-prepared meals; most consumers complain of off-flavors and mouthfeel connected to packaged food. In the end, food manufacturers need to address the functionality of their ingredients and products in order to respond to these issues. Hosokawa Micron Powder Systems has responded to this demand from clients by supplying accurate and efficient processing equipment that can produce high-quality food ingredients and products. According to Frank Bernero, food applications manager at Hosokawa Micron Powder Systems, the need of the hour is advanced processing machinery that can produce food ingredients that function to provide characteristics similar to fresh meals, and that is precisely what New Jersey-based Hosokawa Micron Powder Systems brings to the table. As one of the world’s largest providers of powder and particle processing equipment, the firm offers a wide range of solutions and systems comprising innovatively-designed and well-engineered milling, classification, mixing, drying, agglomeration, compaction, and containment technologies.

Since its inception in 1923, Hosokawa Micron Powder Systems has been specializing in the design and manufacture of particle size reduction systems and powder processing solutions for the chemical, pharmaceutical, food, mineral, cosmetic, and plastic industries.

“We are always setting new standards for consistency, durability, and efficiency with our leading powder processing technologies,” says Bernero. For 90 years now, the company has been making innovations in the food processing equipment realm to deliver maximum production flexibility throughout the entire manufacturing lifecycle—from ingredient and raw material preparation to finished products.

For example, Hosokawa Micron Powder Systems’ size reduction system, Mikro- ACM^® Air Classifying Mill, was the first-ever classifier mill to come to the market in the 1960s. A powder grinder with internal classifier in one unit, the equipment is capable of producing ultra-fine to medium grinds for a wide variety of materials and requires very little maintenance. Using the Mikro-ACM^®, food manufacturers have been delivering guaranteed, accurate fine fractions that meet clients specifications and product characteristics.

In addition, Hosokawa Micron Powder Systems also offers a range of high-grade quality particle size control tools such as the Mikro Air Jet Sieve^® MAJSx2. It is a highly accurate and reliable particle size analyzer that facilitates food product manufacturers to verify the quality of incoming raw materials, carry out process control, and validate the final product specifications. “It can also be utilized to determine the average particle size below a specified cut point and verify that a powder top size does not exceed product specifications,” mentions Bernero.

An intriguing factor that truly sets Hosokawa Micron Powder Systems apart is the shelf life and quality of its processing equipment. “Our devices have stood the test of time. Some of the equipment and systems that were installed decades ago are still being utilized today,” states Bernero. Furthermore, the company’s eye for customer-centricity along with its commitment to go the extra mile to meet individual clients’ needs have earned Hosokawa Micron Powder Systems significant recognition from multiple food processing companies around the world. “Our tenet is not just to offer standard powder processing equipment but to work alongside our customers and their engineering teams to provide value-added solutions to processing problems. We are not just an equipment manufacturer but also a solution provider,” affirms Bernero.

Employing such a forward-thinking approach, Hosokawa Micron Powder Systems is currently working on the application, development, and commercialization of ultra-fine composite particles in the rapidly-expanding field of nanoparticle technology. With food manufacturers increasingly seeking ways to reduce turnaround times and improve outcome, Hosokawa Micron Powder Systems is bringing about a transformational change in the way food processing needs are met with its innovative offerings.