Miller Magazine Issue 146 February 2022

74 TECHNOLOGY PLATFORM MILLER / FEBRUARY 2022 EVOLUTION OF THE INDUSTRY How do you see the grain processing industry evolve in the future? LC: Trading, exporting, and importing of grain shows a significant growth trend. Big size storage, bigger convey- ing capacity, and automatic control are the preconditions to support the market trend, while easy management, limited pollution, and low maintenance are the preconditions for the proper operation. The CESCO team mentality, the smart con- cept of the design, and quality of the components are fully oriented to this target. On the storage side, CESCO is fully engaged on the fol- lowing fronts: First, the bigger capacity of the individual silo requires the proportional improvement of the control sys- tem of the physical condition of the product, and of the final sweeping system after gravity discharge. Second, the deep- er analysis of the seismic nature of the region involves a new and specific design of the silos under seismic condition. MC: On the processing side, large investors are revising their strategy towards industrial production of starch and proteins obtained by grain and peas where we can cover the whole chain from grain intake to flour outload and collab- orate with several partners for the processing of flour being able to provide a full integrated plant. Please tell us the innovations in industrial grain pro- cessing plants in your portfolio? LC: For new projects, we believe that the storage capac- ities and conveying capacities will increase with a subtle shift from traditional chain conveyors to more modern roller belt conveyors for more gentle conveying of material. In order to satisfy this demand, we have improved the design of all our conveying equipment. MC: Besides new plants, there is a rising demand for refurbishment of existing projects (both storage and mill- ing), where the conveying, storage and processing capac- ity must be increased. This cannot be done on the “green field”, but must be done within or in parallel to the existing plant, in some cases also without interruption of operation. This requires a more flexible design of the equipment and steel structures, but also a more exact engineering and erection planning. Furthermore, the concept and design of the industrial plants will focus even more on the industrial use of all re- jects of the process (circular economy), the prevention of any environmental pollution (both atmospheric and acous- tic), and easy maintenance and operation. Finally, as mentioned above, we will continue to see a