Digitalization, big data, digital transformation – these topics are also at the very top of the agenda of challenges in the agricultural world. Farm management systems network the information of the individual farming processes. Many data and complex software offerings which are available do not automatically make life easier or more profitable for the individual farmer.

GEA DairyNet, as a part of the holistic software 365FarmNet, ensures safe, easy and understandable data evaluation so that the farmer can concentrate on farm management. 365FarmNet is a provider-independent, open platform on which each of the skills of the participating partners are bundled and integrated into a modern infrastructure with the latest technology. GEA DairyNet networks the individual herd management using 365FarmNet.

One view, one philosophy, one concept: With GEA DairyNet a farmer has the control over his herd at all times from everywhere. He can then direct things without expensive and complicated program control systems. The interaction of the crop management, cattle rearing, milking, feeding, health, reproduction and sorting modules are part of a completely new software concept which connects all processes into one display and additionally opens up new applications for herd management.

With GEA DairyNet the essential data on cows can be called up at any time, in real time via a computer, tablet, smartphone via an app. In this way, the farmer can call up all significant activities of his cows without any complicated administrative work and can work in a focused and efficient manner.

GEA currently offers the basic module “Cattle”, a web-based basic herd management system free of charge. A dashboard summarizes the information graphically. Thus, at a glance you can see all activities for each cow and can manage the up-coming work in a stress-free and easy manner. A cow file always displays the latest data. The herd management system can be set up simply and quickly via HIT (The origin and information system for livestock).

The Centre Technique du Papier is located in Grenoble (France) and is the French technical center (Pulp, Paper, Board, Printing and Processing) for Applied Research, Consultancy, Testing Laboratories and Training Courses. CTP helps industrialist for innovative products & processes at lab and pilot scales and develops knowledge with high level of Scientific Expertise.

A dedicated team of engineers and highly qualified and competent technologists at CTP worked for several years in the development of microfibrillated cellulose production and use for different new applications, including for papers and boards.

For its research projects and the design of its NaMiCell pilot plant, CTP conducted an extensive review on the different technologies available on the market for converting lignocellulosic fibres into microfibrillated cellulose (MFC), taking into account the properties of cellulosic fibres and the viscosity of the produced MFC suspension (gel-like structure). After some preliminary tests, CTP decided to invest in a high-pressure homogeniser and choose GEA high-pressure homogenising technology for continuing its research activity on this promising topic.

The reasons that led to CTP to adopt GEA homogenizers are different, but some of the main reasons are due to the robustness of the proposed technology against abrasive cellulosic products and to the easy use of the technology, especially in conducting the machine and changing of spare parts. Another important advantage is the homogenizer technology to be scaled-up for a continuous industrial production. this last point is crucial for CTP missions towards the industry to transfer the applied research to the industrial reality.

In order to adapt the GEA technology to the cellulose material and production environment, the close collaboration between CTP and GEA proves once again a winning in the technology world homogenization, bringing the company to a leadership position in the field of cellulose.

From November 21 to 24, 2016, GEA presented innovations and proven solutions in the field of refrigeration and air conditioning at the Big5 International Building and Construction Show. With over 3,100 international exhibitors, Big5 is the largest building trade fair in the Middle East, dealing with the industrial sectors construction, air conditioning, refrigeration, water technology and environmental engineering.

GEA presented the GEA Plusbox: a series of complete, modular-design outdoor condenser sets based on semi-hermetic GEA compressors and GEA condensers.The GEA Plusbox, which can be configured according to the individual requirements of plant-systems contractors, is characterized by excellent energy efficiency. With a considerably higher COP (coefficient of performance) than comparable condenser sets from other manufacturers, the Plusbox is an energy pioneer. The product offers generous interior space, which makes work on the system easier.

Additional exhibits are:

The air-cooled condensing unit SHG34. GEA offers a comprehensive program of condensing units, with displacement ratings from 5.4 to 122.4 m³/h. GEA will also show condensing units especially suited for high ambient temperatures – such as prevail, for example, in the United Arab Emirates.The ATEX (ATmospheres EXplosibles) compressor designed for use in explosion-risk environments. They are, for example, employed in chillers in Kuwait and ensure optimal air conditioning of container-type control centers that coordinate measurements in the oil and gas fields there.

GEA has brought together the long-term expertise of its leading bakery technology companies – COMAS and IMAFORNI – to build a complete line for the production of wire-cut and soft centre biscuits at the Khong Guan factory in Jakarta, Indonesia. The new line includes the latest hybrid oven configuration that uses indirect cyclotherm (radiation) and convection heating for better control of product characteristics.

The customer

Khong Guan is a top Indonesian manufacturer specializing in biscuits, wafers and wafer sticks. The company’s success has resulted from its insistence on using the finest ingredients, the latest machinery and robotized packaging systems to meet customers’ re­quirements, hygiene standards and food safety regulations.

The company has used Imaforni equipment before and has always been impressed with its performance. However, this is the first time Khong Guan has built a complete line using just a single supplier. “The latest addition (2016) is a soft cookie line made up of GEA Comas and GEA Imaforni equipment,” explained Mr. Chew Soo Kok, Director of Khong Guan. “It is capable of doing jam-filled cookies, wire-cut cookies, deposited biscuits, and bars. With the help of a food technologist to fine-tune the recipes, we were able to start-up the production line in a short period of time.” The line now runs wonderfully and provides significant benefits in terms of product quality and consistency, productivity and reliability.

The GEA line

The GEA line includes a high capacity DFV3 extruder capable of simultaneously depositing two different types of dough and a fluid filling; the hybrid steel band tunnel baking oven; and all the necessary mixing and conveying equipment. The hybrid configuration, using both indirect cyclotherm and convection heating, increases the flexibility of the baking process by allowing different products to be baked at the same time in the same oven. The system also provides a much more accurate control of the final moisture content, improves the product color and texture and achieves higher outputs than the traditional systems.

But according to Marco Gandini, GEA’s Head of Bakery Applications, the technology itself is only part of the story. “What makes this line special is the way in which the experience of both the GEA brands has been able to come together to provide the highest performing solution,” he explained. “By choosing equipment that is of the highest quality and perfectly compatible, we have been able to build a line that is reliable and capable of producing large amounts of cookies of the finest quality for Khong Guan.”

GEA responsibility

As GEA designed and built the whole line, it has full responsibility for its maintenance. As Marco Gandina said: “In the unlikely event of a problem there can be no doubt as to who is responsible for fixing it,” he said. “It’s a 100% GEA line: we built it and we will maintain it at optimum performance for our customer throughout its working life.”

What the customer thinks

The relationship between customer and supplier is always critical but, in this case, Mr. Soo Kok has no doubt that he has made the right choice with GEA. “The services provided have been first class; and the engineers are well-trained, knowledgeable and friendly which made the installation and commissioning process a smooth one. The after-sales service is equally good with prompt replies and follow-ups to our queries.”

Mr. Soo Kok also explained that with the increase in population in Indonesia and good economic growth, the market size for Khong Guan’s products has grown tremendously. As the purchasing power of the Indonesian consumer has grown and the middle-income population is increasing, he believes that the market will continue to grow. “However, we must introduce better quality products and new varieties of biscuits and cookies,” he explained. “To prepare ourselves for the future, we will need to continue to invest in good, and reliable equipment to ensure a high quality production output.”

All food manufacturers operate in an intensely competitive environment in which the highest standards of hygiene, production, and product innovation are essential to prosper. By choosing GEA to provide a complete production line, Khong Guan has ensured that its facilities are world class and has secured the combined expertise of some of the industry’s finest process engineers to make sure that its leading position is maintained well into the future.