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Bühler has announced the launch of CompactMix, a new solution for spreads, fillings and coatings in chocolate and confectionery production.

The solution combines mixing and grinding technologies designed to deliver precision fineness, consistent quality, flexible production capacity and high-energy efficiency.

Its capabilities range from producing soft praline centres to coatings for snack bars and ice cream. The system responds to growing demand for on-the-go products, such as filled biscuits, wafers and snack bars, providing a production solution that offers the flexibility to handle a wide variety of recipe applications.

Bühler noted that the significant price volatility in cocoa markets has also meant manufacturers are increasingly turning to chocolate alternatives that allow for a greater range of formulations without compromising taste and quality.

CompactMix brings together the Swiss tech company’s ShearMix mixing system with a spiral agitator for fast, uniform mixing, and the Aurora ball mill to reduce particle size. This combination aims to ensure optimal mixing and refining performance, forming the basis for product consistency.

According to Bühler, the system delivers uniform textures with particle sizes below 20 microns, resulting in a smooth mouthfeel. It also handles everything from low-fat to high-fat recipes, giving producers full flexibility in chocolate mass production while consuming up to 30% less energy than conventional models.

The solution enables fast product changeovers with minimal waste and cleaning time under two hours. It features a hygienic, fully enclosed design to support global food safety standards, and its modular scalability – from 400 kg/h to 3000 kg/h – make it well-suited to both small-scale and industrial production.

In regions with consistently high temperatures – such as Africa, South Asia and the Middle East – maintaining the stability of chocolate products during storage and transport is challenging. Traditional chocolate melts easily, affecting both product quality and shelf life.

CompactMix produces chocolate-based masses designed for thermal stability, using recipes that combine alternative fats and tailored textures. As a result, products have higher melting points and stronger structures, ensuring quality and taste is not impacted in warm-climate markets.

CompactMix is also equipped with digital solutions that give manufacturers full control over production. Real-time monitoring, recipe management and smart control features enable manufacturers to optimise consistency, reduce waste and ensure each batch meets the desired fineness and taste profile.

CompactMix integrates into Bühler’s complete chocolate processing line – from raw material handling and mixing to grinding and moulding. In Bühler’s R&D centres, customers can develop and test new recipes, optimise process parameters and evaluate machine performance under real production conditions.

Skeljzen Nesimi, head of product management for chocolate and coffee at Bühler, said: “With CompactMix, we are not just launching a new solution – we are enabling our customers to rethink chocolate production”.

“From raw ingredients to finished products, Bühler provides the technology and expertise to support every step of the process, helping customers craft the chocolate of the future, delicious and affordable.”