15 Dec 2009

Photo

PREMIX PLANT: Vitfoss, Graasten, Denmark

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In the autumn of 2009, Danish premix manufacturer Vitfoss added a new bulk premix terminal to its complex adjacent to the company's headquarters in Graasten, Denmark. Pig Progress editor Vincent ter Beek had a look into the facility.

Photo

  • In the autumn of 2009, the facilities in the Danish town of Graasten, near the German border, were expanded with this production tower. Main reason for this addition was the opportunity now to fill trucks up with premixes - which means the costly process of filling the premixes in bags can be skipped
    In the autumn of 2009, the facilities in the Danish town of Graasten, near the German border, were expanded with this production tower. Main reason for this addition was the opportunity now to fill trucks up with premixes - which means the costly process of filling the premixes in bags can be skipped
  • A schematic overview of the plant
    A schematic overview of the plant's new tower - on the top floors more production lines can be added in the future. In total, the Danish company now produces about 4,000 different premixes as customers can order tailor-made mixtures
  • Ready made mineral ingredients, from the plant behind the production tower, as well as the company
    Ready made mineral ingredients, from the plant behind the production tower, as well as the company's product Vitacaps, are transported to the tower's attic through pipes. In this top floor, the ingredients are mixed until a homogenous product has been achieved
  • One platform below, a sieve construction has to ensure that the larger particles in the mixture do not make it to the final premix
    One platform below, a sieve construction has to ensure that the larger particles in the mixture do not make it to the final premix
  • The premix can then be transported down again to one of the 27 silos in the tower (in nine rows of three), by use of a robot. Inside the robot is a weight sensor that has to make sure that nothing of the premix is being wasted during the process
    The premix can then be transported down again to one of the 27 silos in the tower (in nine rows of three), by use of a robot. Inside the robot is a weight sensor that has to make sure that nothing of the premix is being wasted during the process
  • Once the designated lorry will enter the facility below, a second robot will move at the bottom of the 27 silos to catch the premix and transport it into the lorry. Inside this robot, another weighing mechanism is installed
    Once the designated lorry will enter the facility below, a second robot will move at the bottom of the 27 silos to catch the premix and transport it into the lorry. Inside this robot, another weighing mechanism is installed
  • Lorry drivers can operate this process themselves using this panel. The whole filling process takes less than one hour
    Lorry drivers can operate this process themselves using this panel. The whole filling process takes less than one hour
  • It is compulsory to take a sample of the premix during the filling of the lorry for traceability purposes
    It is compulsory to take a sample of the premix during the filling of the lorry for traceability purposes
  • The samples are being stored on-site
    The samples are being stored on-site
  • The premixes are being sent to compound feed mills and farmers having their own mix & mill facilities
    The premixes are being sent to compound feed mills and farmers having their own mix & mill facilities
  • In the autumn of 2009, the facilities in the Danish town of Graasten, near the German border, were expanded with this production tower. Main reason for this addition was the opportunity now to fill trucks up with premixes - which means the costly process of filling the premixes in bags can be skipped
  • A schematic overview of the plant
  • Ready made mineral ingredients, from the plant behind the production tower, as well as the company
  • One platform below, a sieve construction has to ensure that the larger particles in the mixture do not make it to the final premix
  • The premix can then be transported down again to one of the 27 silos in the tower (in nine rows of three), by use of a robot. Inside the robot is a weight sensor that has to make sure that nothing of the premix is being wasted during the process
  • Once the designated lorry will enter the facility below, a second robot will move at the bottom of the 27 silos to catch the premix and transport it into the lorry. Inside this robot, another weighing mechanism is installed
  • Lorry drivers can operate this process themselves using this panel. The whole filling process takes less than one hour
  • It is compulsory to take a sample of the premix during the filling of the lorry for traceability purposes
  • The samples are being stored on-site
  • The premixes are being sent to compound feed mills and farmers having their own mix & mill facilities
by Emmy Koeleman 15 Dec 2009 last update:6 Aug 2012