Alpine

Hosokawa Alpine develops milling, classifying and compaction technologies for industrial powder and particle processing. Its equipment covers particle size reduction, particle size control and particle enlargement across applications in chemicals, food, pharmaceuticals, minerals and advanced materials.

Milling technologies

Hosokawa Alpine milling technologies cover coarse size reduction through to fine and ultrafine grinding. Equipment selection depends on factors such as required particle size distribution, material properties, throughput, wear behaviour and temperature sensitivity. Technologies include impact mills, classifier mills, jet mills and other size reduction systems.

Classifying and particle size control

Alpine classifiers are used to separate powders according to particle size and to control the final particle size distribution. Depending on the application, classification can be integrated with milling or applied as a separate unit operation for fine separation, dedusting or product fractionation.

Compaction technologies

Hosokawa Alpine compaction technologies are used to densify and enlarge powders into granules, flakes or briquettes. Depending on the material and downstream process, compaction can improve powder handling, bulk density, flow behaviour and subsequent processing.

The history of the Alpine brand

Alpine’s history dates back to 1898, when Otto Holzhäuer established a mechanical workshop. In 1909, the company became ‘Alpine Maschinenfabrik-Gesellschaft m.b.H.’. The name Alpine refers to the Alps and symbolises the company’s ambition to achieve high engineering standards.

From its early years, Alpine focused on mechanical process technology. A patent for a universal size-reduction machine was granted in 1903, followed by further developments and patents for mills and other size-reduction equipment.

From 1950 onwards, Alpine expanded its research and development activities into plastics processing machinery. This led to a separate business division that has specialised in blown-film extrusion lines since 1960.

In 1987, Alpine AG was acquired by the Hosokawa Micron Group and subsequently became Hosokawa Alpine AG.

For more information, visit the Hosokawa Alpine website.