Bühler Finer S Edition 26 five-roll refiner and ELK S Edition 26 single-shaft conche

Bühler has introduced the next evolution of two of its solutions in chocolate mass processing: the Finer S Edition 26 five-roll refiner and the ELK S Edition 26 single-shaft conche. The updated systems are designed to run more cleanly, smartly and efficiently, with greater transparency.

At the heart of this process are refining and conching, the two steps that largely define final product quality. Fineness, taste and aroma, flow behaviour and raw material efficiency are all shaped here.

Bühler engineers took a whole-process view to pinpoint where performance can be improved. To deliver gains, Bühler harnessed the full potential of digital solutions. Its sensor technology monitors the refining process and automatically fine-tunes roll speed, pressure and temperature — all without manual intervention and independent of operator skills. This real-time optimisation is designed to ensure consistent fineness, increases throughput, and reduces waste. A stable and consistent fineness can help to prevent costly fat overdosing in the conche, saving significant production costs.

Conching gives chocolate manufacturers precise control over flavour development, mouthfeel and flow behaviour. Bühler’s ELK S Edition 26 single-shaft conche creates the desired chocolate flavour while removing unwanted volatiles and moisture, delivering consistent, repeatable results. It has been designed to focus on simplified operation, energy efficiency, hygienic design and improved accessibility. New IE5 drives and food-grade materials also enable higher efficiency and safer production.

The full system upgrade was developed around Bühler’s Playone automation system, included as a standard component.