As an aquafeed processor, you are always aware that your drying operation has a significant impact on your bottom line. Drying is a very energy-intensive operation; that’s why most aquafeed producers diligently track the cost of fuel used in their drying operation.

1. Dinnissen
celebrates 25 years
of the Pegasus®
Vacuum Coater
38 | January | February 2016 - International Aquafeed
FEATURE TECHNOLOGY

2. I
t is often thought that vacuum coating was first invented in
Norway. The idea might have been Norwegian, but the technology
was developed in the Netherlands. It has been 25 years now since
Dinnissen, together with aquafeed producer Skretting, invented
the first vacuum coater.
The Pegasus®
Vacuum Coater is intended for everyone who wishes
to manufacture pelleted and extruded products in accordance
with most modern production specifications.
It allows you to create a vacuum environment for your production
process and to deal effectively with a very wide range of future challenges.
International Aquafeed spoke to Peter Raeven, Account Manager for
Dinnissen, about the previous 25 years of the Pegasus®
Vacuum Coater
as well as any future plans that Dinnissen might have for their now well
es tablished brand.
How would you describe the Pegasus Vacuum coater and
the function that it performs?
The Dinnissen Pegasus vacuum coater is a dedicated coating
system to add liquids, fats, oils enzymes, etc. emulsions and
powders, like attractants or palatants to pellets or extrudates, in
the last phase of the production process. In this last phase of the
process functional ingredients can be added without damaging their
functionality in previous steps of the production process.
How crucial would you say that vacuum coating has been
to the feed industry over the past 25 years?
Vacuum coating originated from the wish to increase fat-
percentages in aqua feed. Until then, a fat percentage of only 20
percent was possible. With our technology, the percentages were
raised to an average of 35 percent; sometimes achieving results as
high as 42 percent.
This was a breakthrough for the quality of aqua feed. High energy
feed could be fed, with other advantages like reduced leaching; thus
preventing pollution and loss of functional ingredients.
Later, Dinnissen introduced the Pegasus®
Vacuum Coater in the
feed industry. One of the main advantages of vacuum coating is
that the pellets aren’t greasy on the outside anymore. This increases
the flow out of the silo, prevents pollution of the silo and reduces
contaminations for the farmers.
Furthermore, it improves the feed efficiency and increases the
stability of the feed. This results in huge savings on feed-recall and
improves efficiency for both the feed producers as the farmers.
When the Pegasus was first developed, why was there
a need for such a machine; which problem was it the
inventors were looking to solve?
The development of the Pegasus®
Vacuum Coater originated in
the question ‘how can we raise the fat-percentage in the core of fish
feed-pellets?’ How can leaching be reduced?
The question came from one of our clients, a Norwegian aqua
feed producer. As we were, and still are, always looking for ways
to create machines that are of additional value to the production of
feed, we investigated whether we could find a fitting solution for
this particular challenge.
How has the Pegasus®
Vacuum Coater developed over
the past 25 years, have there been any instances where
the machine has had to be adapted to reflect a change in
the market?
The Dinnissen Pegasus vacuum coating principle is based on
mixing the mix with 2 synchronised paddle shafts. This principle
has not changed over the years. In the late 1990s the system was
also introduced in the pet food industry.
In this industry multiple additions have to be added. The Pegasus
vacuum coating system is a batch system, which gives high
flexibilities in the process, making it possible to add as much
additions as required.
At the moment, hygiene is of major importance, and even though
the basics have not changed, all details have been reviewed over
the years resulting in the 8th generation of the Pegasus®
Vacuum
Coater.
Which features are unique to Pegasus; what is it
that makes it better than the other machines that are
available that do a similar job?
Dinnissen is a supplier of tailor-made solutions. We built
complete processes, integrate our machines into existing processes,
or deliver stand-alone machines. Our machines, however, are never
standard.
We always look at each specific client and see how we can
optimise his or her process. Our Vacuum Coater is a concept, a
technical process that offers ample opportunities for (aqua) feed
producers to develop products that separate themselves from the
competition.
Can you think of any significant changes or challenges
that the Pegasus has faced since its inception?
When starting, the goal was to infuse higher percentages of
liquid in the core of the pellets. Over the years, optimisations were
realised towards product quality. In next year’s hygiene got more
and more important. Latest improvements are the possibilities of
(C.I.P) cleaning in place and the systems remained hygienic.
Salmonella is a major issue in the pet-food industry. The
Dinnissen vacuum coating systems are designed and can be
supplied to prevent/reduce these issues.
How do you see the Pegasus developing into the future?
How do you feel the vacuum coating market changing;
can you see any current trends that may affect the
development of future models?
Hygiene is becoming more and more a highly important factor in
the feed business. We are already very experienced in this area, and
our Pegasus®
Vacuum Coater is built for hygienic production. We
will continue to improve and innovate, however, wherever possible.
Why do you think that the Pegasus model has been in
production for such a long time?
The advantages of a Pegasus®
Vacuum Coater for the production
of (aqua) feed speak for themselves. As we have been and continue
to continuously improve and innovate on the existing concept, we
are able to stay relevant for the market.
International Aquafeed - January | February 2016 | 39
TECHNOLOGY FEATURE