Progeo Group expands silo capacity with cutting-edge system by Ocrim

ITALY – Ocrim, a renowned Italian milling and engineering firm, has partnered with the Progeo Group, a leading Italian agricultural cooperative, to complete the construction of a new silo structure.

The facility, located at Progeo’s site, features four bins with a capacity of 30 tonnes each and eight smaller bins with 8 tonnes capacity each, designed to optimize the storage and handling of different types of flour.

This upgrade is part of an ongoing modernization effort, building on the original 320-tonnes-per-day (tpd) soft wheat mill that Ocrim built for Progeo over 40 years ago.

Key to this development is Ocrim’s state-of-the-art bulk load system, which allows for rapid loading of delivery trucks with finished products.

Trucks are loaded while stationary on weigher bridges, improving operational efficiency by minimizing the time spent filling multiple tanks. This system includes a high-speed fluidized unloading device installed across all 12 bins, ensuring that various types of flour are handled without contamination.

Each bin is equipped with a dedicated suction system and control probes, guaranteeing precise handling and the integrity of different flour qualities.

The design incorporates a pressurized pneumatic system that efficiently transfers flour from the existing silos to the new structure, maintaining a seamless flow between the two sections of the plant.

The newly built silos operate independently from the older system, with dedicated electrical and automation systems managed through programmable logic controllers (PLC) and computers.

These interfaces communicate with the legacy installation, creating a smooth integration between old and new equipment.

Progeo’s top management highlighted the sustainability aspect of the project.

 “Ocrim provided an ecological and sustainable system that strengthens our ability to deliver final products to customers, whether small, medium, or large industries,” they stated.

This flexibility enhances Progeo’s competitiveness in a dynamic market, enabling the cooperative to meet varying customer demands efficiently.

Ocrim, with a legacy dating back to the 1980s, continues to play a pivotal role in supporting Progeo’s growth.

By choosing Ocrim as a long-term partner, Progeo Group has not only completed a major phase in its industrial development plan but also underscored its commitment to using innovative, sustainable technology in grain processing.

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