Bühler Acquires Cerex Puffing TechnologyBühler Acquires Cerex Puffing Technology

Bühler has acquired puffing technology from Cerex for food, petfood, and feed applications. Cerex, a Swiss equipment manufacturer for food, feed, and non-food applications, originally developed this technology.

This acquisition provides enhanced solutions to address the growing demand for healthier and more diverse food options, and leverages the company’s full potential to benefit the customer. The technology is versatile and, therefore, applicable to a broad range of products — snacks, ready-to-eat breakfast cereals, confectionery, bakery items, and dairy products.

Puffing is a hydrothermal process that uses heat and pressure to significantly expand the volume of raw materials. The process requires the material to contain 10-14% water and 65-75% starch, with protein and fat levels also affecting the outcome. Puffed products offer several advantages:

Puffed products are considered healthy as they contain no added ingredients and are available as white-label options. This technology can be used in a variety of products such as breakfast cereals and cereal bars. Puffing technology is also used in dairy products, such as yogurt and ice cream, where puffed grains like quinoa, rice, or buckwheat serve as crunchy toppings or mix-ins.

Related:Feeco Introduces Custom Fluid Bed Dryers

“The puffing process is a game-changer in how we approach cereal and snack production, offering a broad range of recipe possibilities, including coatings and fillers across many product categories,” said Christoph Vogel, head of Business Unit Human Nutrition at Bühler. “The integration of this technology into Bühler’s portfolio strengthens our ability to meet the evolving needs of our customers and fosters continued innovation in recipe development.” 

The puffing technology enhances production efficiency by increasing volume and weight, reducing sugar content, and cutting production costs.

Bühler's Cerex puffing technology significantly enhances grain processing by achieving maximum yields of over 95%, reducing waste while ensuring uniform puffing across all grains. The system is energy efficient, consuming 50% less energy compared to similar systems; it utilizes 60 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per 100 kilograms (kg) of product as opposed to 120 kWh. Additionally, it ensures a stable and industrial-grade puffing process compliant with the strictest food safety regulations.

Related:Crescend Technologies Expands With Advanced Dielectric Testing Services

In April 2025, Bühler will open an Application & Training Center at its headquarters in Uzwil, Switzerland, focused on the puffing technology. At the Center, customers will be able to test new product recipes with ingredients such as pulses and develop new processes applying this technology.