Reprinted from: SnackFood&WholesaleBakery.com
Part of $50 million investment, state-of-the-art belt dryer offers benefits over spray drying, including moisture evaporation at lower temps
Malt Products Corporation (MPC), a manufacturer of malted barley extract and other natural, nutritious sweeteners, has invested over $15 million in a new state-of-the-art drying plant, incorporating a vacuum belt dryer designed and built by drying technology expert Bucher Unipektin. The 58-foot-long machine has completed installation and validation, and is currently operating at the company’s Dayton, OH manufacturing facility.
MPC chose the vacuum belt dryer over a spray dryer because of its superior ability to produce free-flowing particulates of viscous sugar syrups, as well as retain flavor, aroma and color. Since vacuum belt drying operates by reducing the pressure in its chamber, moisture is evaporated from the product at far lower temperatures. This eliminates oxidation and prevents damage to critical functionalities of the original syrup.