
SMC, the world leader in pneumatic automation systems, has a trusted partnership with confectionary and chocolate producers and their machine builders. This means we work not only in harmony with the machine builder’s needs for the process sector of the chocolate industry, but also with the final chocolate producing companies ready to process the cocoa beans and to deliver the final chocolate products.
Here you can see an overview of the whole process followed by companies operating in the chocolate industry, from cleaning the beans, up to packaging.
Impurities of cocoa beans and other additional ingredients are unacceptable for a fine-quality chocolate, and that’s why the sorting stage is so important. For this task, reliable machines and efficient processes are required, and SMC is the right partner to provide you with the best solutions.
While sorting is responsible for the selection of the best candidates, achieving the right flavour of the chocolate depends heavily on the roasting stage, where temperature is the dominant factor. With our products, you can be sure to guarantee a perfect control of the process.
After grinding has taken place, the next stage for the cocoa paste is refining. These complex machines do the job of creating a smooth and homogeneous liquid with the right particle size to get the perfect texture, needing precise control of the rollers that can only be achieved with quality equipment
In order to volatilise the remaining acetic acid of the chocolate paste and develop its flavour, conching equipment needs precise temperature and speed control, as well as reliable operation over time, since the process takes several hours, or even days. SMC’s products can allow your industrial chocolate making machines to reach a very high precision level in this step while helping you to increase energy efficiency.
Fat crystals in the chocolate must be stabilised to avoid undesired features such as blooming, crumbly texture or dull appearance. To carry out the delicate operation of heating and cooling the chocolate, you can trust our products to ensure the precision and control that the process requires.
The final step before cooling can vary depending on the product, but no matter if you need to block and engage moulds, or ensure the right tension of the belt, our products will be there to help you with the task.
By Paolo Tornavacca, Client Group Manager, SMC Italia
MARCH 2022
Refining is arguably the most important process in chocolate production as it determines the consistency and texture of the final product. We know from experience that only by using high-quality, high-performance industrial control and automation solutions, backed up with global support on a local level, will builders of chocolate refining machinery succeed in gaining market share.
By Wim de Vos, Sales Engineer, SMC Belgium
MARCH 2022
HACOS has its factory in Malle, Belgium, a country renowned worldwide for its excellence in chocolate. However, while there are more than 320 chocolatiers in Belgium, the reach of HACOS extends way beyond its own borders - the company today exports to more than 70 countries. As one of the world’s top 5 chocolate manufacturing machine builders, HACOS produces systems for processes that include moulding, depositing, enrobing, spinning, melting and tempering, and decorating - essentially everything required to transition from raw chocolate block to refined end product.
By Karl-Heinz Ursch, Senior Sales Expert, SMC Austria
MARCH 2022
Refining is arguably the most important process in chocolate production as it determines the consistency and texture of the final product. We know from experience that only by using high-quality, high-performance industrial control and automation solutions, backed up with global support on a local level, will builders of chocolate refining machinery succeed in gaining market share.