PROBAT at HOST Milano: Smart solutions for a sustainable coffee sector
Emmerich, Germany, September 13, 2023: The PROBAT trade show presentation at HOST Milano this year is all about smart digital solutions and sustainable roasting technologies: the PILOT 2020 platform, the P05e, the hydrogen-operated UG22, and the NEPTUNE 1000, the latter representing the all-new drum roaster series of the world market and technology leader in coffee processing technology – the PROBAT team will be ready to give visitors an exclusive tour of the company’s innovations at HOST Milano from October 13-17.
PROBAT CEO Wim Abbing looks forward with high anticipation to the upcoming international exhibition dedicated to the world of food service and hospitality: “The most demanding customer requirements are our daily work. In the fast-moving world of consumer trends, those who embrace innovative solutions come out ahead. At HOST, we present our latest sustainable roasting technologies and digital solutions that future-proof our customers’ coffee processes for the challenges to come.”
For the first time ever, PROBAT presents the NEPTUNE 1000 drum roaster at an international trade fair. This roaster is the quintessence of a development process that has fused sophisticated technical know-how with the highest customer demands, especially in terms of modularity, sustainability, and ease of maintenance. Indeed, the forward-looking NEPTUNE 1000 drum roaster is a perfect combination of maximum flexibility and process safety, clad in an innovative hygienic design. Equipped with high-performance cyclones, heat energy recovery systems, and modular exhaust air treatment technology, this roasting machine also reflects the rapidly growing importance of sustainable processes for the sector. “Avoiding contamination of the end product is a key requirement in hygiene-critical production environments”, says Nico Moede, PROBAT project development manager. “In the run-up to the new NEPTUNE series, we listened closely to our customers and service engineers, which was key to laying out the innovative hygienic design of the roasters, thus ensuring maximum availability”, Moede concludes. The all-new NEPTUNE drum roaster series also includes the world's largest drum roaster available on the market: the NEPTUNE 4000 has an hourly roasting capacity of 4,000kg and features the same technological highlights as its smaller twin.
Alternative Heating Solutions
To accelerate the decarbonization of coffee roasting processes, PROBAT is pushing electrical and hydrogen roasting in both the specialty and industrial roaster segments. The P05e and the hydrogen-operated UG22 specialty roasters at the PROBAT booth substantiate the company’s claim to shape the coffee industry in a sustainable way. All roasters of the new NEPTUNE series are also available as an electrical or hydrogen version. Whether interested visitors already know exactly what they are looking for or would first like to obtain comprehensive information about the available heating options, in Milan the PROBAT experts will advise them specifically and tailored to their needs.
The One-of-a-kind Digital Ecosystem
PILOT 2020 is a web-based application with a leading-edge intuitive user interface for non-proprietary multi-device operation. Process parameters can be modified simply by touch. Its open system architecture allows for interoperability between hardware devices, enterprise planning, and automation software, and secure data communication between virtually all systems. Sebastian Fichthorn, PROBAT EVP of Electrical Engineering, on the company’s digital solutions expertise, which will be presented to the international trade show audience at HOST Milano: “PILOT 2020 is a multifaceted control software platform that grows with customer requirements. We are continuously working on increasing the scope of functions. In addition, the software will be extended to the entire product portfolio of the whole group of companies. At HOST we show how third-party technologies are easily integrated into the PILOT 2020 Suite and in which way targeted data analysis enables proactive control of coffee processing operations.”
Hidden Smart Technology
As users of sophisticated technology, from receiving green coffee to packaging, coffee professionals are used to being surrounded by data and information – and having access to that information with a click of the mouse or a touch of the screen. But how much sensory intelligence, hidden from the naked eye, is actually behind this instant information? PROBAT roasters and plants are equipped with a variety of detectors that collect data and monitor performance metrics, ensuring higher overall production quality and productivity. At HOST Milano, PROBAT gives visitors an insight into the sensor intelligence installed by the company’s specialists.
