Processing granulated sugar into icing sugar

The client’s main objective was to process granulated sugar into very fine icing sugar, intended for use in the manufacture of chocolate fillings (for biscuit fillings). This process had to guarantee impeccable food quality whilst ensuring the complete absence of any foreign matter that might compromise the safety of the finished product. The client was seeking a solution capable of handling a continuous throughput of 1,500 kg/h, whilst maintaining a safe, hygienic production environment that complied with ATEX standards, given the low EMI of icing sugar. The project also required uninterrupted operation to meet the factory’s production rates.

Palamatic Process has designed a deconditioning and transfer line entirely dedicated to the processing of granulated sugar into icing sugar, in response to the customer’s requirements in terms of quality, safety and continuous performance.

Operational process

The system begins with a Safetip® ST-S02 manual emptying station with a standard enclosure without a door.

This open configuration, optimised for ergonomic access, allows the operator to manually place the sugar bags onto a fixed shelf at a standard height of 900 mm.

The bag is then opened and its contents are directed straight onto a vibrating safety screen integrated into the station’s structure.

This screening unit is fitted with a removable 304L stainless steel screen with a mesh size of 3 mm, ensuring that foreign matter and oversized particles are removed before the material enters the process.

The food-grade stainless steel hopper is connected to a mechanical transfer system via a tubular screw conveyor, ensuring continuous, contamination-free conveyance to the UM315 microniser.

This mill enables particle size reduction down to 100 µm, thereby ensuring optimum fineness for chocolate formulations.

• Impeccable food-grade quality: no foreign bodies detected thanks to upstream screening
• ATEX risk prevention: no metal particles in the grinder
• Very fine icing sugar: consistent particle size of 100 µm
• Continuous process: throughput maintained at 1,500 kg/h without interruption
• Ergonomics and operator safety: optimised workstation
• Easy maintenance: removable sieve, accessible components

The entire line complies with ATEX (Zone 20/22) requirements. Given the very low minimum ignition energy (MIE) of icing sugar, all measures have been put in place to ensure safe operation in accordance with the ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU.