Bühler India has introduced two innovative solutions aimed at catering to the growing demand for biscuits and crackers in the region. These new offerings, part of the SmartLine series, include the DirectBake Smart, a Direct Gas Fired (DGF) oven, and the RotaMold Smart, a rotary molder.
Both products are designed to meet a wide range of baking needs with efficiency and precision, incorporating Bühler’s advanced technology. This launch underscores Bühler’s commitment to the “Make in India” initiative, building on its established presence in the Indian food processing industry since 1993.
The DirectBake Smart oven is equipped to produce a variety of baked goods, including molded biscuits, crackers, and marie biscuits. It features Bühler’s advanced heat transfer technology and a recipe-controlled burner system, ensuring optimal performance and easy product changes.
This oven is a result of a global development collaboration within Bühler, with a focus on regional design and manufacturing. Unlike previous models designed in Denmark, the DirectBake Smart is designed and produced in India, marking a significant step in Bühler India’s manufacturing capabilities.
The RotaMold Smart rotary molder is another key addition to Bühler’s lineup, offering the ability to mold biscuits into precise shapes and sizes, ensuring consistency across batches. It supports a wide range of shapes and intricate designs, allowing manufacturers to expand their product offerings.
Ajith Dharan, Head of Consumer Foods Business at Bühler India, highlighted the importance of these new solutions in meeting the demands of a rapidly expanding biscuit industry in India. “The biscuit industry in India is substantial and growing, especially with the expansion of both domestic and international brands. By launching these solutions in Bengaluru, we are providing innovative and affordable technology tailored to the Indian market,” Dharan said.
India ranks as the third-largest producer of biscuits globally, with the industry growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5-6%. Prashant Gokhale, Managing Director of Bühler India, noted the increasing demand for convenience foods like cookies and crackers, emphasizing the need for variety and product differentiation in the market. “Our focus is on providing superior baking technology at competitive prices to our biscuit customers, while also offering forward integration possibilities for our flour millers,” Gokhale added.
In line with Bühler’s commitment to sustainability, the new production facility in Bengaluru is designed to minimize water usage and incorporate renewable energy sources such as solar power, contributing to a reduced carbon footprint. Bühler has set a target to cut Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 60% by 2030, compared to 2019 levels.
Johannes Wick, CEO of Grains & Food at Bühler Group, emphasized the need for flexibility and innovation in today’s market. “In a world of rapidly changing requirements, customers need the ability to adapt their products to key issues like healthy diets, affordability, the use of local raw materials, and sustainability. This has driven our decision to continue investing in this market and support our customers in their innovation journeys,” Wick stated.
