Subscribe to our monthly newsletter.

Share this item

Dinnissen Process Technology in Sevenum (The Netherlands) celebrates this year the 25th anniversary of the vacuum coating technology. In 1991 Dinnissen developed this innovative technology in secret, in cooperation with the Norwegian fish feed producer Skretting. The challenge was to dramatically increase the fat content in the core of a feed pellet. The invention of the vacuum coater was an evolution of the development of the Pegasus® paddle mixer of Dinnissen. In this double-axle mixer the product is raised in a fluidized zone, giving a gentle, fast and energy efficient mixing process. In experiments carried out in a special mixer under vacuum conditions high concentrations of liquid were sprayed onto the feed pellets. Upon removal of the vacuum the liquid was drawn deeply into the coated pellets. In this way Dinnissen succeeded to gradually increase the fat content of the pellets up to a maximum of 42%. An additional advantage of this technology is that pellets aren’t greasy on the outside anymore. This increases the flow out of the silo, prevents pollution and reduces contaminations at farms. After several years the confidentiality agreement with Skretting fell and the past quarter century Dinnissen has perfected the vacuum technology and made it suitable for many other applications. Nowadays the Pegasus® vacuum coater is used worldwide. With present-day systems different fluids from low to high doses can accurately be sprayed on the product. It is also possible to apply multiple layers onto granules and extruded products.