MIXING AND PROOFING WHEN
CONSISTENCY IS THE SOLUTION
IS THE GOAL AUTOMATION
Suzanne Callander reports on the important role that dough mixing has to play in helping ensure consistent product quality.
D
ough mixing remains a key stage in determining final product quality for bakeries. Any variability introduced at
this point will be amplified downstream, affecting fermentation tolerance, machinability, crumb structure, and product shelf life. With many bakeries now looking to increase their production volumes and diversify their product portfolios, mixing technology has needed to evolve. According to Jose Cheio De Oliveira,
Head of Development for Mixing Solutions at Coperion, the most interesting dough mixing and proofing technology advances revolve around automation and traceability. Jose advises bakeries to look at
systems that are able to ensure ingredients are fed consistently, that mixing times and speeds are precisely controlled, and that dough temperature
is monitored throughout the process. “Solutions that are able to track every step
– from feeding to mixing and
proofing – will help maintain stable dough consistency and ensure repeatable product quality,” he says. “Automated lines with supervision and full process visibility allow operators to quickly detect issues, reduce variability, and improve overall efficiency. These advances give bakeries the reliability and control that is needed to deliver high-quality products consistently.” Commenting further, Jose pointed out that if a high-output, single-product line with maximum consistency is the goal, then the use of continuous mixing systems are likely to be the best solution. He says: “Another big thing to look out for are solutions that leverage Internet of Things (IoT) technologies to improve operational performance and reliability.
By using connected sensors and real- time data monitoring, it is possible to enhance equipment reliability through predictive maintenance, reducing unexpected downtime and improving overall efficiency.” In addition, having data-driven
insights allows for the implementation of optimised cleaning processes, which helps ensure the right cleaning frequency and resource usage based on actual conditions rather than fixed schedules. This approach can support sustainability objectives by minimising water, energy, and chemical consumption, reducing waste, and lowering the overall environmental footprint while maintaining high performance and quality standards.
Artisan bread at scale With sales of artisan bread products
26 • KENNEDY’S BAKERY PRODUCTION • FEBRUARY/MARCH 2026
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