The milling industry is constantly evolving, facing challenges related to food safety and global market fluctuations. How can these be addressed? We discuss this with Marco Galli, director of our technology department, to discover the solutions adopted by Ocrim.
What are the main challenges facing the milling sector today?
Globalization has made the grain market extremely dynamic and subject to numerous variables. We are talking about fluctuations in wheat prices, inconsistent quality and quantity of harvests, and, most importantly, increasingly stringent food safety regulations. Today, food safety is a key issue: every batch of wheat carries potential contaminants, whether physical, chemical, or biological. As millers, our job is to manage these effectively to always ensure a safe product.
What are the most critical contaminants, and how can they be managed?
Contaminants can be divided into three main categories: physical, chemical, and biological. Mycotoxins, in particular, are a growing challenge today because they cannot be eliminated with a single solution. A combined and flexible approach is required, using multiple technologies in synergy to separate contaminated kernels.
How much do changing consumer habits impact this scenario?
A lot. Today’s consumers are much more aware of food quality and safety. They want to know what they are buying and what processes are behind the final product to guarantee its quality. Additionally, regulations are becoming increasingly stringent, and the industry must adapt. Another key aspect is brand protection: no producer wants their name to be associated with contamination issues or poor quality.
What are the most effective technologies for ensuring grain processing safety?
Wheat cleaning is the first step in guaranteeing high-quality products. It is important to understand that no single machine can meet all needs, despite marketing claims. It is the entire process that makes the difference. Among the most advanced technologies, we can highlight three machines and one treatment:
Color sorters – increasingly sophisticated equipment equipped with RGB technology and deep learning, capable of recognizing and removing contaminated kernels much more precisely than before.
Infestation destroyer – used to eliminate grains infested by pests, which can compromise flour quality and safety and increase plant management costs.
High efficiency scourer – used to remove surface impurities, drastically reducing the presence of pesticides and heavy metals in the grain.
Tempering water purification – UV lamps offer an innovative solution to limit microorganism proliferation without resorting to chemicals like chlorine.
Speaking of artificial intelligence, how can deep learning improve grain selection?
Deep learning, integrated into the color sorter, relies on creating a high-definition image database that, once processed, provides a precise reference for identifying and selecting defective kernels. This approach goes beyond simply discarding severely compromised kernels—such as those potentially contaminated with mycotoxins—it also allows for the identification of new types of defects that would otherwise go unnoticed. This reduces waste, optimizes efficiency, and, thanks to continuous learning, improves selection over time.
What other benefits come from effective and efficient cleaning?
The impact of a cleaning process on costs is significant, as wheat can represent up to 80% of a milling plant’s expenses. This makes it essential to focus waste on kernels that truly compromise the quality of the final product. More concentrated waste means lower costs, better overall performance, and reduced environmental impact, bringing both economic and sustainability benefits.
Looking ahead, what will be the main challenges for the sector?
Globalization offers enormous opportunities, but staying ahead of trends will be crucial to avoid being caught unprepared by changes. Investing in knowledge and technological innovation will be the key to remaining competitive. The challenge is to find the right balance between efficiency, effectiveness, safety, and sustainability, always with the goal of providing the end consumer with a superior-quality product.
Conclusion
From adopting new technologies to the increasing focus on food safety, the global milling industry is undergoing a significant transformation. The companies that can interpret these changes and invest in the right tools will be the ones leading the future of flour and derivative production.
