World Grain - September 2024 - 58

FEATURE: MILLING OATS BY THE SEA
oats in different applications, " Kahilakoski said. " For
example, they are used in oat-based drinks, creams and
yogurts. My personal favorites are oat breads, which
are excellent products. "
Although it has a reputation of being a highly nutritious
food for human consumption, about 65% of
Finland's oat production goes to animal feed. The increasing
use of oats in animal feed globally is anticipated
to contribute to the oats market's
expansion. Oats, valued for
their high fiber, energy, and protein
content, offer nutritional benefits in
livestock and poultry diets.
However, almost all of Oat Mill
Finland's processed oats are targeted
for human consumption, with only a
small amount of thin oats used for
feed applications, Kahilakoski said.
The mill, which exclusively targets
industrial customers outside of
Finland, produces oat groats, steelcut
oats and a large selection of oat
flakes, he said.
" Our oats are
tailor-made according
to our customers' needs, "
he said. " Our primary customers
are industrial companies producing
high-quality oat-based products of
various types. "
He said Oat Mill Finland has
some built-in advantages that can
assure customers they will receive
high-quality products.
" Typically, in Finland all grain is
drier, with less than 14% moisture
(content) immediately after harvesting, "
he said. " This creates a perfect
start for achieving high-quality end
products. All incoming grain is being
controlled and analyzed prior to
intake.
Top: Bühler
installed an
optical sorter,
Sortex H,
inside Oat Mill
Finland's new
plant.
Bottom: Bühler's
kiln Granotherm
is used for the
hydrothermal
treatment of
oats.
58
" In the mill, we have seamless quality control. This
together with state-of-the-art equipment and skilled
staff ensures high quality from the farm to our clients. "
Partnering with Bühler
Like many grain processing plants built during the past
four years, Oat Mill Finland faced challenges during
construction due to logistical problems linked to the
COVID pandemic. Construction began in 2021, and
the mill was commissioned in June 2023.
" Both COVID and the Russian assault into Ukraine
caused problems, mainly in delivery times and the
availability of certain components, " Kahilakoski said.
About Suomen Viljava
Owned by the Finnish government, Suomen
Viljava Oy, parent company of Oat Mill Finland,
for many years has specialized in the
processing and storage of grains and agribulk
raw materials.
" We offer storage and processing services
both in the Finnish market and for companies
that operate for export and import, " the
company said.
Viljava has 19 locations in 16 municipalities
throughout Finland.
" Almost half of the grains reaching Finland's
trade operations are transported via
our storage facilities, " Viljava said. " Most of
Finland's imported and exported grains are
transported via our port storage facilities,
which are located in Naantali, Rauma, Helsinki,
Loviisa and Kotka. "
The company noted that half of its total
grain volumes at the port facilities are stored
and two-thirds are processed.
Viljava's inland facilities serve the domestic
industries and primarily operate as storage
facilities in Koria, Kouvola, Kokemaki and
Pernio.
" Our platform and silo storage facilities are
also suitable for the storage of many piece
goods and bulk goods, " Viljava said.
The company chose Bühler as the equipment supplier
for the new facility.
" We were looking for a solution provider that was
able to deliver a full milling equipment system including
an automation system, " he said. " Bühler
is such a company, and it has deep knowledge of
oat milling. "
Bühler delivered a package of fully engineered solutions
to Oat Mill Finland, which includes the cleaning,
dehulling, kilning, cutting, and flaking technology, as
well as bagging and loadout equipment.
The entire line is controlled by the Manufacturing
Execution System (MES) Mercury, Bühler's full plant
automation system that integrates plant control and
processes to increase efficiency and traceability.
Bühler's digital solutions were installed to improve
productivity and reduce operating costs. Digital services
such as Yield Management System, Error and
Downtime Analysis, Overall Equipment Effectiveness
and Bühler Insights Replay were fully integrated in the
high-tech oat mill.
Mathias Hannsbauer, head of the Oats business segSeptember
2024 / World Grain / World-Grain.com
http://www.World-Grain.com
World Grain - September 2024

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