Segment Sugar

The main focus of the sugar technology department within the sugar division is the development of new, environmentally friendly and energy-saving processes and process steps.

The efficient use of process materials in the production of sugar is becoming increasingly important. The sugar technology department has started a number of key projects in recent years that have made it possible to significantly cut back the use of such materials.

The main milestones reached recently lie in the development of methods and equipment to reduce the use of anti-foam optimizers (AFOs) and the launch of a development project to cut the consumption of limestone (LIMOSTM – Line Optimization System) and alkalization agents (Lime Salts Analyzer).

The development of the limestone efficiency project LIMOSTM led, for example, to a near-50% reduction in the use of limestone in the sugar production process.

A main focus of current activities is the further development of LIMOS, the project to optimize the dosage of milk of lime in the cleaning of sugar beet juice, in order to achieve further savings in terms of energy and process materials.

One particularly important project involves the development of natural bio-stabilizers based on hops and tree sap for use in sugar production instead of chemical biocides such as formaldehyde. This application, patented by the sugar research department in Tulln (ZFT), is not only being used in the sugar industry but also for other industrial purposes.

The research and development activities of the entire AGRANA Group are undertaken to a large extent by the subsidiary Zuckerforschung Tulln Ges.m.b.H. (ZFT) in Austria.
This R&D work ranges from agriculture to food technology, chemistry and engineering to microbiology and biotechnology.

The ZFT is authorized under EN 17025 to perform field tests, has been certified as a testing centre for sugar beet analysis, and has also been authorized to assess the efficacy of non-registered crop protection agents for sugar beet cultivation in the role of a certified research centre in accordance with the Pesticides Act 1997.