2025-06-20
Innovative Protein Solutions Using Separation Technology: An Insight into Flottweg’s New Process Center
The customer has always been the focus of the planning. The optimized flow of personnel and goods not only allows the customer testing to take place much more efficiently, but also enhances the preparation and follow-up processes.Dr. Mathias Aschenbrenner Dr. Mathias Aschenbrenner is protein specialist and sales engineer at Flottweg.
In summer 2024, the separation technology specialist Flottweg embarked on a large-scale project—the construction of its new process center. As an extension of Plant 2, which opened in 2021, the new technology center will allow the company to design even more targeted, customer-specific solutions in the 2,000 square-meter facility. Flottweg’s state-of-the-art process center features a laboratory, a testing area, a warehouse and modern office space.
Protein extraction using separation technology is a particular focus of the new process center. Dr. Mathias Aschenbrenner, protein specialist and sales engineer at Flottweg, explains in an interview the significance of the protein processing market and how special features were considered during its construction.
Which sub-areas are included in Flottweg’s new process center?
The new process center is essentially split into two separate main areas: a “white” area for hygienic food applications and a “black” area for non-hygienic applications. The process center is supplemented by a new laboratory building, with separate black and white areas and office space. Extensive storage areas and a workshop are connected to the process center.
Why did Flottweg decide to focus on the protein market for the new process center?
The world’s population is growing steadily and is expected to reach 10 billion by 2050. One of the greatest challenges for the future is how to provide people with sufficient protein. For ecological, economic and ethical reasons, the creation of plant-based protein alternatives have become increasingly important. The efficient extraction of high-quality plant-based protein from a wide variety of raw materials is a very complex task and requires custom-made process solutions. This is where Flottweg’s new process center comes in.
Flottweg's Process Center in May 2025. How does the new process center support the development of new protein products or applications?
The new process center is more than just a collection of individual separation units. It can be operated as a continuous mini production line. On the one hand, new customer processes can be simulated, and product samples can be produced simultaneously. On the other hand, we can promote targeted and systematic process development and position ourselves as an innovative provider of holistic process solutions.
What specific challenges does the new process center address for protein production?
The focus of the new process center is technological flexibility and openness. This means that the individual elements of the process center can be linked together as needed, and any conceivable combination of process steps can be achieved. The integration of additional external equipment is possible at any time. In the future, we would like to cooperate even more closely with our technology partners and expand our protein process portfolio. In addition to the process engineering possibilities, hygiene also plays a very important role. Proteins are generally highly perishable and, if handled incorrectly, can very quickly acquire undesirable sensory properties. The new process center will be equipped with a fully integrated CIP (cleaning in place) system. As a result, we will not only achieve the hygiene standard of industrial food production, but can also develop and optimize targeted cleaning processes for our large-scale protein plants in the future.
How is the protein area realized in the process center? What are its special features?
The protein plant will be implemented in a hygienic design, and the premises will also be optimally adapted to the hygienic wet area. This means tiled floors and walls, drains and extensive cleaning options. Due to the immediate proximity to the new laboratory, efficient cooperation between customers, test personnel and the laboratory will take place during the tests. The large available hygienic open spaces mean that additional equipment can be provided at any time. With the help of existing gantry cranes, a quick and efficient conversion can be achieved. By creating a visitor walkway, we allow other guests to gain a brief impression while customer trials are ongoing, while at the same time ensuring the best possible confidentiality for our customers. The direct connection of the process center to Flottweg’s Plant 2 gives our customers an even more comprehensive impression of our production processes. This enables us to create transparent production and further strengthen our customer relationship.
To what extent will the new technology center enable even more targeted customer orientation in the future?
The customer has always been the focus of the planning. The optimized flow of personnel and goods not only allows the customer testing to take place much more efficiently, but also enhances the preparation and follow-up processes. This enables us to focus on the essentials for each individual test and to conduct a higher number of customer tests per year.
Interested? Then you can learn more about Flottweg’s Process Center.
