Provisur expands processing capabilities for increased market demands

The surge in pet ownership during the pandemic drove strong growth in the pet food industry, increasing demand for efficient, high-performance processing systems. Many manufacturers turned to Provisur® Technologies, headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, known for its robust machines used in separating, mixing and grinding, and forming.

In line with its motto “Pushing Boundaries,” the company helps producers improve yield and cost efficiency while supporting the use of a wider range of raw materials. Provisur’s portfolio includes established brands such as Hoegger, AM2C®, Beehive®, Formax®, Lutetia®, and Weiler®, recognized for their technological performance and reliability.

High-performance applications

Olivier Bazin, Area Sales Manager EMEA-CIS Separation Business Unit, describes current developments in the pet food market segment: “In order to meet the increased demand, the current trend among the major players in the industry is towards high-performance production lines that can process large volumes and at the same time drive automation in the industry.”

Peter Berkensträter, Provisur Account Manager Central and Eastern Europe/Central Asia adds: “We are seeing that pet food processors are increasingly investing in first-class quality systems and that their products comply with the same safety and hygiene standards as those applied to non-pet food items. Another trend that is currently emerging is that many food manufacturers are now also producing for the pet food segment.”

Overall, the specialists at Provisur have observed that pet food suppliers are focusing on making their processes even more efficient and profitable in the wake of increased raw material costs and global supply chain bottlenecks. This is where Provisur’s high-performance systems come into play, offering innovative, modern, and profitable solutions for processes such as separation, mixing and grinding.

Separation systems

The Provisur portfolio includes a wide range of systems for separating meat or fish that optimally meet the needs of the pet food industry. These include, for example, the separators of the particularly powerful Beehive S series, which separate meat, poultry and more at high speed and maximize recovery yield thanks to the innovative screw and filter technology.

They are characterized by their robust design and are therefore ideal for processing large quantities of raw materials. Their innovative, extremely durable ceramic components reduce maintenance requirements and thus lead to lower maintenance costs. The modular Barracuda separation system from Provisur is also highly sought after by pet food producers. It combines 

the outstanding separation technologies of the Beehive and AM2C brands to create a new standard of excellence for this application. The Barracuda series deploys a high-pressure system that increases throughput while minimizing the temperature rise in the end product, which in turn increases product safety. The bottom line is that users of this innovative separation technology benefit from optimized yields.

Mixing and grinding: Weiler for quality and reliability

When it comes to mixing and grinding pet food components, the renowned Weiler brand from the Provisur portfolio is the brand of choice for many producers. For eight decades now, these mixing and grinding systems have been used for both food and pet food production and are still used by many major manufacturers in the industry today.

The Weiler Dominator 14 grinder is one of the outstanding system components for this application. It not only achieves first-class product quality but also delivers extremely high throughput, thereby meeting the needs of large manufacturers in the industry. The system is suitable for the fast processing of beef, pork, and further raw materials.

Other system components for this segment are the Weiler Dominator mixers and mixer grinders. They use the unique balanced flow technology developed by Provisur. This ensures that the product flow is always optimal: backflow and the subsequent overloading of the product are virtually eliminated. The double overlapping, counter-rotating paddles are particularly advantageous for perfect mixing. The stainless-steel machines are equipped with correspondingly powerful motors.

Another unique feature is the design with its reduced number of components, e.g. only one hole plate. In addition, almost all screws are made from a single piece of material. “All these features make the Weiler Dominator range particularly reliable and low maintenance. The low operating costs are unparalleled and have generated interest in the pet food industry and beyond,” says Peter Berkensträter.

Further applications: from formed veterinary products to treats

The latest generation of the market leading Formax forming technology from the Provisur portfolio is available for the veterinary pharmaceuticals market. These highly efficient systems can be used to produce formed products such as medication for dogs or cats.

Lutetia tumblers are ideal for pet food suppliers looking for efficient smaller volume solutions for certain process steps in the production of treats for dogs or cats. These versatile tumblers can be used in a variety of ways: drying, cooking with steam, dry cooking with heated air or cooking previously vacuum-packed products at a relatively low temperature. They maximize throughput while reducing cycle times and producing high-quality end products.

Tapping into new sources

Various Provisur systems have become firmly established in many areas of the pet food industry. Current trends are contributing to the continuous expansion of this spectrum. Provisur specialists are now experiencing how market trends from the food industry are reaching into the pet food segment.

Peter Berkensträter explains: “Many pet owners treat their pets like a fully-fledged member of the family. We hear from our customers that this also has an impact on choice of food, and that aspects similar to those at play in human nutrition are becoming increasingly important in pet food.”

In short, pet owners are becoming better informed about the health of their four-legged family members, knowing that food can have a direct impact. As a result, they are increasingly looking for higher quality, as well as more natural and healthier ingredients. This leads to a willingness to pay a higher price for pet food – and thus to the growth of the premium segment.

“Sustainability concerns such as reduced meat consumption also have an influence on the purchasing behavior of pet owners and therefore on the pet food market. Provisur is currently working intensively on sustainable solutions to open up new sources of low-cost raw materials for the pet food industry. For example, added vegetables or new sources of protein such as insects or larvae. The industry can look forward to news from our research and development efforts,” promises Olivier Bazin.

About Provisur Technologies:

Provisur Technologies of Chicago, Illinois, USA, with numerous branches globally, specializes in innovative industrial food processing machines as well as integrated production systems for a wide range of end products. Several well-known and time-honored brands, which are among the technology leaders in the sector, operate under the umbrella of the company.

With its product portfolio, divided into the areas of Slicing (Cashin, Formax, Hoegger), Further Processing (Weiler and Formax), DMC (Lutetia) and Separation (AM2C, Beehive, Hoegger), Provisur provides food processing companies with maximum efficiency solutions for requirements of any size. 

Development and testing can be conducted at Provisur’s Innovation Center (PIC) in Plailly near Paris, as well as the PIC in Mokena, IL, USA, offering food manufacturers the opportunity to experience the full range of Provisur equipment.