Just in time, Coperion presented the next version of its MEGAtex cooling nozzle series for the production of plant-based HMMA (High Moisture Meat Analogues). The new MEGAtex R90 texturing unit achieves throughputs of up to 500 kg/h and is optimally matched to Coperion's ZSK Food extruders in the ZSK 43 and ZSK 54 sizes.

The meat substitute HMMA is produced on the basis of vegetable proteins. The MEGAtex cooling nozzle ensures the fibrous and meat-like texture. HMMA is used in vegan sliced meat or chicken analogues. Coperion has designed its new MEGAtex series texturising units specifically for use with the ZSK Food Extruder. The ZSK twin-screw extruder and the MEGAtex cooling die are the core technologies of the high-moisture extrusion process, which uses plant proteins to produce meat analogues with a dense, fibrous structure similar to animal muscle meat.

The new MEGAtex R90 cooling nozzle is based on the principle of a round nozzle. After leaving the ZSK Food extruder, the protein mass passes through a round channel in which the product is cooled down to the desired temperature and the meat-like texture is specifically formed. The cooling nozzle opens up a very wide range of possible ingredients and textures for manufacturers of meat substitute products – from smooth to fluffy, dense, foamy, coarse-pored to long and short fibres. The plant operator can specifically influence process parameters such as temperature, pressure, shear rates, and flow.

The central element of the MEGAtex R90 is a rotating, cooled core. This core is provided with a pitch to influence the texture and nozzle flow. This in turn affects the pressure in the upstream extrusion process and changes the texture, shape, colour, and surface of the HMMA.

In order to be able to operate the HMMA production system, Coperion focussed on very fast cleanability during development. All surfaces of the cooling nozzle are very easily accessible. The nozzle core and drive can be moved linearly on guide rails in just a few simple steps. At the same time, the process part of the ZSK Food extruder is directly accessible by moving the die.