Bühler Group, the Swiss technology leading supplier for grain and food industry, has released a new integrated rice mill concept optimised for Southeast Asia’s rice varieties
Uniline rice mills are all inclusive equipment packages that can be installed and running within 18 weeks from order.
Fostering local rice self-sufficiency
Vianney d’Hostel, head of business intelligence Southeast Asia at Buhler, said, “Early months of the COVID-19 virus crisis have shown vulnerabilities in rice supply chains worldwide. Due to lockdowns, restrictions in movement of the workforce have stressed needs for more automated mills. At the same time, disruption in supply chains and fast-changing protectionist policies have highlighted the need for shorter and distributed rice supply chains.”
With many countries and provinces now ramping up plans to increase self-sufficiency in rice production, Bühler anticipates public and private sector will tend to prioritise simpler, more robust and decentralised solutions to the food supply chains.
Simplified project management and all-inclusive project scope
Asif Abbas, Southeast Asia regional manager for Rice at Buhler, stated, “The fundamental idea behind Uniline is that it is an all-inclusive rice mill delivered to your site. It includes all the equipment, the automation systems and the prefabricated steel structure needed to create a compact 2-level rice mill.”
Uniline relies on an optimised concept developed by Buhler, which allows the Swiss company to achieve 15% energy savings in a 40% smaller footprint compared to conventional rice mills. Project speed is also increased, with commissioning taking place 18 weeks from the order with the support of local Bühler installation teams.
“This all-inclusive package reduces the project’s complexity for rice millers, who will now have a single point of contact accountable for their entire mill,” added Abbas.
Suitable for greenfield projects or sustainability projects
The Uniline rice mill is already available for orders in Southeast Asia in three capacity options: 5 tonnes per hour (t/h), 8t/h and 10t/h.
“Our primary market for Uniline is remote greenfield projects. We also anticipate interest from established rice millers who would be interested to add new dedicated lines for organic or local rice sub-varieties,” said Abbas.
Uniline offers a high level of automation, quality control, and food safety, making it suitable for operations aiming at export markets.
