Recently a revolution took place, silent but powerful: the old mill Soufflet, historical reality of Corbeil-Essonnes, closed, to leave room for the new mill 4.0 signed Omas. Soufflet, which in the course of the work passed the baton to the Invivo group, chose Omas as the strategic partner and main supplier for the realization of this unique project in Europe.

Five years ago, the Soufflet family found themselves at the crossroads to decide whether to close the old mill or renew the industrial complex with a last generation mill.

The inauguration of the new mill last June 14 makes it clear what the choice was. A courageous choice that has meant not only safeguarding many jobs but also giving life to an area historically important. In fact, the complex is part of a large project of recovery and territorial enhancement.

Soufflet, which in the course of the work passed the baton to the Invivo group, chose Omas as the strategic partner and main supplier for the realization of this unique project in Europe for three main reasons:

• • Plant sustainability: KERS technology guarantees energy savings and reduced Co2 emissions;
  • Attention to flour purity and grinding flexibility;
  • The efficiency of the plant can ensure + 0.5% flour. 

The plant develops over 5 levels and gets to grind up to 900/tonnes of cereal per day.  The entire milling process is carried out thanks to the engineering and equipment designed by the Italian manufacturer Omas, including: 6x Plansifter Galileo S; 8x Michelangelo Purifier mi50, 4 Leonardo S Roller Mill 8: 34x Leonardo S Roller Mill 4.

The main objective was to obtain the “cleanest” and “healtier” finished product possible, with flours adapted to industrial uses. For this Soufflet chose Omas’ Flexy Mill technology, which includes Omas’ Direct Drive (DD) and Kers Stystem Kinematic Energy Recovery System, Omas world patent.

The DD involves the direct coupling of permanent magnet motors to the griding cycles and gives maximum flexibility of adaption of rollers speed and ratio, depending on the grinding step, and on the type of grain or the type of finished product desired. This adaptive Flexy Mill guarantees maximum freedom during grinding process, which is is not bound to the traditional fixed turns of cylinders, achieving the maximum milling performance and creativity in term of recipes. The DD system also increases the extraction of flour by 0.5%, compared to traditional milling plants. This technology has been applied also to the plansifters, vibrating finisher and bran finisher. 

Thanks to KERS Technology the site has an overall energy saving by 30%, reducing the demand for electrical energy of roller mills and recovering the unused kinetic energy by the cylinders during grinding.

Omas has paid the utmost attention to every detail. As an example, we mention the recovery of heat to condition the process air; the whole mill has been designed without edges and closed and sealed profiles to ensure maximum levels of hygiene and food safety; suitable materials have been used to avoid alterations and contamination of food, following MOCA regulations.

During the inauguration Bertrand Guilloteau, General Manager of Invivo metaphorically delivered to the team of 17 millers "the most modern mill in France " which officially becomes the precursor of a new way of making sustainability and innovation in a traditional sector such as milling.