With the consumer need for fast meal solutions, the demand for ambient microwaveable rice has been consistent over the past 20 years with Holmach Ltd, Lagarde Autoclaves and Jorgensen Engineering leading the way. Ongoing NPD targeted at the health conscious and plant-based markets continues to power growth.

The risk of contamination from C.Botulinum and Bacillus cereus and the quality demands for soft and fluffy rice, highlight the reasons why steam/air retorting is the the most sustainable way to make food products safe with low water usage and perfect quality every time.

Lagarde’s retorts have the capability to process thousands of pouches of rice every day. The premium build components and sophisticated PC based control system allow precise temperature and overpressure control which is essential for processing flexible and semi-rigid containers. The internal cage allows products to be agitated during cooking, ensuring a fully homogenous process and perfect product quality.

Alongside these Lagarde installations Holmach Ltd have also commissioned six Jorgensen robotic systems for automating the handling of rice pouches into and out of the retorts.

FEI saw the huge potential for pouched rice back in 2002 when they worked with Holmach to install a Lagarde 5-basket rotary retort at their Swansea based manufacturing facility. They have since continued to invest in Lagarde’s technology and Jorgensen’s rice pouch handling systems. The superior product quality demonstrated in trials and later on in full production has been the key decider for capex investments from other UK ambient rice processors, with over 40 Lagarde installations across the market dedicated to pouched rice production.

With retorts ranging from 900mm to 2.5 metres in diameter and from 1-8 baskets in length, Lagarde’s manufacturing solutions are ideal for small and large businesses alike.

Holmach’s strong heritage in thermal processing and lean manufacturing solutions, and Lagarde’s market leading technology, really do make them the perfect team. During their 28-year partnership they’ve installed over 500 retorts and have enabled leading manufacturers to upscale production and meet the quality expectations of both retailers and consumers.

Holmach have access to both UK and France based facilities for trial or NPD projects to give you the reassurance that Lagarde’s technology is right for your business.

For thermal processing expertise and further information on Holmach’s market leading technology, call 01780 749097 or email info@holmach.co.uk.