World Grain - September 2024 - 68

Q&A
by Susan Reidy
D
igitalization is one of the biggest changes most
industries have seen in a lifetime and has the potential
to revolutionize almost every aspect of the
food and feed sectors.
From mechanical improvements to automation, the
world is in an era of connected devices with smart analytics
powered by artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Bühler, based in Uzwil, Switzerland, has been at the
forefront of this technological innovation.
With services that range from online ordering
of spare parts and process optimization
to full production automation,
Bühler's digital services are
designed to help customers more
efficiently address issues such as
food safety, transparency along
the value chain, energy conservation
and waste reduction.
World Grain recently talked
with Alexis NÖel, Bühler's digital
program manager, about new
innovations, challenges and the future
of digital solutions for the company's
milling solutions.
Since October 2022, NÖel has led the digital transformation
of the group's largest business unit and driven
alignment of its cloud business across all functions, including
R&D, project execution, technology, platform
development and regional organization.
WG: What are some of the latest digital transformations
that Bühler is working on?
Nöel: At Bühler, our latest digital transformations in
milling solutions are centered on advancing the grinding
process and wheat tempering in the cleaning phase. We
are moving beyond basic process monitoring to provide
actionable recommendations that directly enhance operational
efficiency for our customers.
The grinding process, which is crucial to flour milling
and currently largely manual, stands to gain substantial
68
benefits from these innovations. Similarly, our focus on
wheat tempering has revealed significant potential for improvements,
positively impacting the subsequent milling
stages. By integrating these advanced digital solutions,
Bühler aims to optimize both the precision and effectiveness
of these critical processes.
WG: How will that improve the milling process
for customers?
Nöel: Improving the milling process for customers
involves optimizing the grinding and wheat tempering
stages. For grinding, precise adjustment of the grinding
rolls ensures the entire roll length is used efficiently,
achieving the desired product granulometry with minimal
energy expenditure. Our data indicates that, in practice,
roll adjustments are often suboptimal due to limitations
in current tools. By offering accurate roll adjustment recommendations,
we aim to address this issue and enhance
efficiency. In wheat tempering, our research has identified
key factors affecting flour moisture, allowing us to help
customers meet their target moisture levels more reliably
and without the guesswork that is typically involved.
WG: What are some challenges that customers are asking
for solutions to?
Nöel: In the flour milling industry, customers seek digitalization
solutions primarily for process optimization,
quality control and resource management. For process
optimization, real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance
are crucial to ensure consistent quality and minimize
downtime. In terms of quality control, automated
systems for testing and ensuring flour quality, along with
enhanced traceability using digital records, are in demand
to meet stringent standards. For resource management,
customers look for energy-efficient solutions to monitor
and optimize energy consumption, aiming to reduce costs
and environmental impact, and digital tools to manage byproducts
and reduce waste. These digital advancements
help improve operational efficiency, maintain high-quality
standards and promote sustainable practices.
September 2024 / World Grain / World-Grain.com
with Bühler's Alexis Nöel
Digital program manager highlights digital
transformations to improve the flour milling process
Photo courtesy of Bühler
http://www.World-Grain.com
World Grain - September 2024

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