Miller Magazine Issue: 145 January 2022

44 MILLER / january 2022 NEWS MC Technology Center for flour treatment opened in Kenya – providing the latest applications de- velopment and knowledge transfer. In November 2021 flour treatment specialist Mühlenchemie opened a new Technology Center in Nai- robi, the capital of Kenya. The subsidiary is operating as Stern Ingredients East Africa Ltd., and is the company’s second location after Lagos for applications research and consulting on flour standardisation, improvement and enrichment in Africa. From here, the MC Technology Center will help the milling industry in East Africa to main- tain consistently high standards in the production of flour, and react more quickly to changing requirements in the markets and in raw materials. Simultaneously the rheolo- gy and baking laboratory in Nairobi will serve as a centre for knowledge transfer throughout the African continent. The heart of the new subsidiary is a baking laborato- ry and technical centre for development and consulting, with 400 square metres of space and equipment for flour and grain analysis. A trial bakery with the latest machin- ery, including spiral kneaders, rolling machines, deck ov- ens and convection ovens, allows for extensive testing. Here, baking processes can be simulated, and the ef- fects of enzymes and other ingredients tested. Tests can be run in collaboration with local mills, and the results quickly implemented in regular operations. There is also a rheology laboratory, and the space offers capacity for further expansion. “With its extensive outfitting, the new subsidiary will not just provide new impetus for the milling industry in its region, but will also be a milestone in the standard- isation and enrichment of flour on the entire continent,” says Norman Loop, Regional Director Middle East & Afri- ca at Mühlenchemie. The company’s technical specialists already advise mills in Cameroon, South Africa, Nigeria and Egypt. Mühlenchemie has operated a baking labora- tory in Nigeria since 2017. “The new facility is intended as a knowledge hub for these specialists and for users, and will make communications and deliveries much faster,” says Norman Loop. A local team of baking technicians in Nairobi will work Mühlenchemie opens second location in Africa