Process technology as the key to quality:
Lactic acid bacteria in biotechnology
Lactic acid bacteria play a key role in modern agriculture. They make a crucial contribution to the gut health and digestion of farm animals, thereby improving the efficiency of feeding. However, their role extends far beyond animal nutrition – they are also used as starter cultures in the food industry, for example in the production of fermented dairy products. To ensure that the cultures can exert their full effect, they must be produced under strictly controlled conditions.
This is precisely where our solutions come in: the production of these bacteria requires not only microbiological precision but, above all, sophisticated process engineering that ensures the highest standards of purity and quality. From inoculating the milk with specific cultures, through the precise control of temperature, pH and nutrient content, to halting fermentation via targeted cooling or pH regulation – every step must be carried out safely, cleanly and in a traceable manner. With our technology, we enable this process reliability and lay the foundation for a high-quality end product.
A bespoke solution for a pioneering global biotech company
An internationally active agricultural biotechnology company based in Austria approached us with a complex challenge: the production of lactic acid bacteria needed to be scaled up, modernised and, at the same time, adapted to meet rising quality standards. Since its foundation, this company has been supplying over 50 countries with more than 600 product variants – an impressive transformation from a small supplier to a global leader in the field of silage additives, feed additives and probiotic cultures.
Our task was to translate this expanded product range into a high-performance yet flexible production facility. The focus was not only on efficiency and scalability, but also on compliance with the strictest hygiene standards – a crucial aspect when processing live microorganisms.
Working closely with the client, we designed an integrated, modular plant that met all requirements. The successful collaboration began even before the plant was built, with extensive testing at our technical centre. These trials simulated real production conditions and formed the basis for a tailor-made implementation on site. HECHT ’s tried-and-tested component technology in the areas of powder handling, containment and dosing formed the heart of the new plant.
Mastering complexity: Innovative plant engineering for the most demanding requirements
The newly developed plant combines numerous technologies across five production lines: the mixing line, the pickling line, the can-filling line, the shredding line and the harvest tank line – each with its own specific requirements, each implemented in detail using our expertise.
In the mixing line, raw materials are fed via big-bag emptying stations with a Solivalve system or from drums using suction lances. The conveying system is based on the HECHT ProClean Conveyor (PCC 200), which is fed via a screening machine with false air injection. An integrated weighing system ensures precise dosing, whilst in the event of incorrect dosing, the material is recirculated via a smaller PCC 100 fitted with a Continuous Liner system. This ensures the process remains consistently controlled and clean.
The pickling line utilises weighed big-bag unloading stations, which are fed via a PCC 300 with two inlets. A vapour barrier effectively prevents vapours from rising from downstream containers – an important aspect of the containment design.
In the can-filling plant, the product enters the process via a big-bag station fitted with a Solivalve. Pneumatic conveying via the PCC 200 and the screening machine feeds into a drop pipe acting as a buffer prior to filling – an efficient solution with a throughput of approximately 250 kg in 6 hours.
The grinding line connects the mixer, suction shoe and big-bag filling stations in a well-designed process chain. The harvest tank line also impresses with its efficient design: three identical big-bag stations ensure maximum operator safety and availability. Vapour barriers also ensure the highest level of containment protection here.
A special feature: following any adjustments, the entire system can be cleaned and dried fully automatically – a clear advantage in terms of hygiene and product purity.