THE VISION
The transformation of a small, traditional Dairy production unit, into a modern Dairy factory that will safeguard and introduce the traditional taste and quality to the discerning consumers.
THE CHALLENGES
The creation of a new, technologically advanced factory, that will allow the company to scale its know-how and expertise.
A factory capable of evolving in the digital age, and supporting the company’s growth for many years, was delivered.
STAMOU S.A. was founded in 1964. Its name is associated with traditional dairy products and desserts. Upon joining the JOTIS Group, it was decided to build a new production facility, which will allow the company to support its development for several years in the future.
AS HELLAS undertook the design and implementation of the new production unit. The new factory will give the flexibility that is needed by modern dairies to introduce new products, and at the same time to be efficient and use their productive resources in the best possible way.
In 2020 despite the adverse conditions that the pandemic brought about, AS HELLAS managed to deliver the project as originally planned. They handed over a factory, capable of evolving in the digital age, and supporting the growth of STAMOU S.A. for many years to come.
In 2018, GIOTIS S.A, one of the most iconic food companies in Greece, agreed to include STAMOU in its portfolio, thus enabling the further development of an already successful brand in the category of dairy products.
Upon joining the Group, it was decided to build a new production facility, which will allow the company to support its development for several years in the future. With the decision, the search for the partner who would carry out this demanding project began.
AS HELLAS was among the companies that was asked to submit a bid. With 25 years of experience in major projects for the dairy industry, as well as a large list of highly successful installations in yogurt factories, AS HELLAS won the bid and undertook the design and implementation of the new production unit. In 2020 despite the adverse conditions that the pandemic brought about, AS HELLAS managed to deliver the project as originally planned. They handed over a factory, capable of evolving in the digital age, and supporting the growth of STAMOU S.A. for many years to come.
STAMOU S.A. was founded in 1964. Its name is associated with traditional dairy products and desserts. Throughout the years, the company has built a significant and loyal following, through the traditional dairy shops that they developed in the region of Attica, and super markets.
The new plant is located in North Attica near the Acharnes area. The raw milk is transported in special isothermal-stainless steel tanks and is offloaded in the raw milk reception and storage department. The automatic reception line is designed to ensure that milk losses are minimized and CIP chemicals are reduced when the time comes to clean the lines. After being examined by the Quality Control department, the milk is cooled and stored in the storage silos. It is possible to receive milk in one silo while sending milk from another silo to pasteurization, and washing a third silo at the same time, all with absolute safety. The above processes can be performed with any sequence and combination.
The milk is then transferred to the pasteurization sector. For this procedure, an automatic prefabricated GalaxiAS™ pasteurization unit was installed to pasteurize either the milk or the yogurt mixture. The pasteurization section also includes a bactofuge, separator, fully automatic milk standardizer, homogenizer, deaerator, and holder. All the processes are fully customizable and automated, depending on the final product for which the pasteurized milk is intended.
The pasteurization process is fully automated using Siemens S7-1500 and ET-200SP controllers and SINAMICS G120C drives, all connected via a PROFINET network. The proprietary software from AS HELLAS, monitors the correct operation and activates all the necessary routines to ensure the quality of the final product. Records of all pasteurization variables (temperatures, diversion valve activation, differential pressures on the heat exchanger sections) are collected in the central control system Siemens WinCC V7.5 of the plant.
From the pasteurizer, a valve cluster with automatic Mixproof valves is distributing the pasteurized milk (that is intended for fresh milk production) to storage tanks and to the milk filling line. The storage tanks are insulated to maintain a constant product temperature. The central automation ensures that the milk is delivered safely to the filling machine and that the filling line is properly and securely cleaned through the CIP at the end of the production day.
This section includes tanks for storing and mixing pasteurized milk. A key parameter in modern dairies, is the ability to produce many smaller batches to meet the individual needs and preferences of consumers. In this section, automatic valve clusters give great flexibility and control in storage, processing, and cleaning.
Here too there is the flexibility of performing various tasks simultaneously. The plant can store milk from pasteurization in a tank and at the same time, it can:
As in the Reception sector, here too, the above cases can be safely realized with any possible combination.
This sector of the new plant includes both the Production Department of Strained and European (Set) Yogurt, as well as the Production Department of Traditional Yogurt and Sour Milk. The pasteurized milk intended for the fermentation products is led to the incubators for the fermentation process. With the help of special “good” micro-organisms, lactose is converted to lactic acid, and the result is this particular sour taste characteristic of all fermentation products.
Pipe networks and automatic pneumatic valves make sure yogurt is sent to different packaging destinations as planned. At the automatic valve cluster for the circulation of the incoming milk and the final product, care has been taken to accommodate future expansion with valves and tanks.
Particular care and attention have been given to the process of cleaning the production lines. Cleaning and sanitation of the processing plant are among the most critical aspects of food processing, as it ensures consumer health and safety. Proper cleaning is essential to produce high-quality products with longer shelf life. Cleaning in Place is not only a key process in the production cycle but also a significant part of the operating cost.
A typical CIP cleaning process requires large amounts of water, chemicals, and energy. A dairy unit is likely to use 13% of its total energy in the CIP process. Therefore AS HELLAS’s approach to the CIP process has a dual purpose. To ensure the most efficient cleaning of production lines, taking into account all the parameters of dairy production, as well as the best and most efficient use of resources. A fully automated CentrASIP™ unit with Siemens S7-1500 controllers and Comfort panels was installed for the cleaning and sanitation of all the circuits of the factory. The CIP unit can be expanded in the future. The extensive know-how of AS Hellas and its long experience in the construction of automatic CIP systems, ensure efficient use, low water consumption, and the best use of energy and detergent resources.
For the process control system, STAMOU S.A. wanted an automation solution that is advanced and energy efficient. The system monitors and controls the entire production process using Siemens S7-1500 and ET-200SP controllers.
The entire factory is controlled and monitored centrally by the production control room. The central SCADA system (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) Siemens WinCC V7.5, guarantees the quality of the final product as it controls all production processes and all cleaning operations. It also records and stores production information, with full traceability in the past. The central SCADA system integrates (through visual display of the entire installation) the following:
At the same time it has the ability to create customized production reports with the production data, as well as a complete history of operation and production processes.
1. The purpose of the automated production process is to control the following subsystems:
2. Features of the automation system
3. Technical characteristics
STAMOU S.A. is a historical dairy production company with a loyal consumer following. The new factory will give the flexibility that is needed by modern dairies to introduce new products, and at the same time to be efficient and use their productive resources in the best possible way. Production automation will minimize the possibility of human error and ensure the safety and consistent quality of the final products.
