The Sugarplex SX Flow from Hosokawa Alpine has been recognized with a silver medal at the International FoodTec Awards 2024 for its innovative one-step production of stable icing sugar for various applications in the confectionery and bakery industry. This accolade was presented by The German Agricultural Society (DLG), honoring 14 pioneering innovation projects.
Hosokawa Alpine’s Sugarplex SX Flow addresses the sugar industry’s need for a simplified and flexible process for producing shelf-stable sugar. The international jury of experts, consisting of professionals from the research, teaching, and practice fields, acknowledged the approach employed by Hosokawa Alpine in developing this solution.
“The Sugarplex SX Flow honored with FoodTec Award 2024 for innovation and excellence” is a piece of equipment which plays a significant role in the food manufacturing industry as it prevents sugars from clumping. Its single-step production makes it ideal for use in the confectionery and bakery industry.
The award presentation will take place at Anuga FoodTec in Cologne in March 2024. Sugarplex SX Flow’s approach eliminates the need for additives such as starch to prevent agglomeration and complex downstream conditioning processes like cooling and heating screws, making it a cost-effective and efficient solution. This approach is based on precise process engineering modifications that adjust the conditioning requirements in the milling vessel.
The system creates a conditioned ambient atmosphere during the grinding process, controlling the moisture content of the air and retention time of the freshly ground icing sugar in the mill housing. This precise control allows the unstable, amorphous sugar crystals to be converted into a stable and crystallized form without any spontaneous agglomeration, significantly increasing the storage stability of the icing sugar.
The Sugarplex SX Flow also meets industry standards for safety and regulation compliance, with all parts that come into contact with the product being made of stainless steel and manufactured in accordance with machinery directives and food contact materials regulations. This airless concept system is eco-friendly, with no downstream filter or fan, ensuring no fine dust is released into the environment.
The system’s minimal requirements for compressed air and demineralized water make it a cost-effective and energy-saving solution, highlighting its practicality for food manufacturing businesses.
