Solvent Removal from Side Streams
Side streams from extraction and fermentation processes in food and feed manufacturing often contain valuable nutrients such as proteins, fibres and bioactive compounds. Yet the presence of residual solvents – particularly ethanol – limits their use in high-value applications. These streams are typically downgraded to animal feed, soil conditioners or even incineration. With the right processing technology, however, they can be converted into safe, nutritious powders for use in human food or pet food.
Common examples include flavour extraction from cocoa or vanilla using ethanol, or the fermentation of starch-rich crops like wheat, maize and potato. These processes often generate nutrient-rich side streams that deserve better than low-value disposal. Hosokawa Micron offers advanced drying technologies that efficiently remove solvents while preserving sensitive ingredients – enabling the production of safe, shelf-stable and high-quality food and feed ingredients.
Advanced Solvent Removal Technologies
Hosokawa Micron offers continuous and batch drying solutions that efficiently remove solvents while preserving sensitive components such as proteins, fibres and flavours. These technologies ensure regulatory compliance, improve product stability and unlock the full value of your side streams.
Continuous Flash Dryer
The Hosokawa DMR Flash Dryer combines drying, milling and powder classifying into one seamless process. Operated as a closed-loop nitrogen system, it offers a fully inert and ATEX-compliant atmosphere – eliminating oxidation risks and preventing dust explosions. It ensures consistent product quality and enables efficient recovery of condensed solvents.
Vacuum Dryers
For smaller volumes or complex products, Hosokawa Vacuum Dryers – such as the Nauta® Conical Screw Dryer or the Conical Paddle Dryer – offer maximum flexibility. These systems are ideal for gently drying materials like flavour extracts, herbal residues or functional proteins at low temperatures and pressures, ensuring full compliance with quality and food safety standards.
Advantages of Hosokawa Solvent Removal Solutions
Hosokawa systems are used to remove solvents from a wide range of ingredients, including cocoa and vanilla pulp, plant-based proteins, natural colourants, seaweed extracts, citrus peels and more. Hosokawa drying technologies enable solvent removal to below 0.3% ethanol content with the DMR, and below 0.01% with the Nauta Vacuum Dryer. Improved shelf life, consistent powder quality and safe, compliant handling are all ensured.
Whether you're producing feed-grade powders or upgrading to human food-grade applications, our technologies offer:
✅ Enhanced Product Quality – Improved taste, shelf life and compliance with food safety standards
✅ Economic Efficiency – Reduced storage and transport costs due to lower moisture content and increased product value
✅ Sustainability Impact – Contributes to a circular economy by upcycling waste into valuable resources
Test Before You Invest
Run trials with your own materials on production-scale equipment at our 2,000 m² Test & Process Development Centre in the Netherlands. Our experienced process specialists work with you to determine the optimal process, equipment or plant setup. We offer lab and production-scale trials, each supported by a detailed technical report covering setup, process parameters and performance insights—helping you choose the best solution with confidence.
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Talk to our experts
Ready to turn your side stream into high-value food or feed ingredients? Contact our team to explore how Hosokawa’s advanced solvent removal technologies can help you improve quality, ensure compliance and support your sustainability goals.
Sustainable process technologies
Hosokawa Micron B.V. is committed to sustainable and responsible process technology. Our ISO 14001 certification covers key environmental aspects such as air, soil, energy, waste, water, noise and hazardous substances. With an EcoVadis Silver Medal, we rank among the top 3% of EcoVadis-rated companies in the special machinery industry.
