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Recently, the technical renovation project of the CHOCOMACH cocoa butter press machine was successfully completed, including installation, testing, and commissioning. Its self-developed fully automatic hydraulic control system for cocoa butter pressing machines has officially entered the stage of industrial application. This core equipment, specifically designed for efficient extraction of cocoa butter, has injected strong momentum into the cocoa processing industry through localized technological innovation.

The newly upgraded fully automatic hydraulic cocoa butter press features a critical breakthrough in the design of the hydraulic and electronic control systems. The hydraulic system employs state-of-the-art pump and valve components, as well as ultra-high-pressure proportional valve technology, with system pressures reaching 50MPa. Coupled with the “continuous advancement and gradual pressure increase” squeezing principle, it facilitates the efficient separation of cocoa butter. The electronic control system, managed by PLC control and touchscreen operation, automates the entire process of feeding, squeezing, oil extraction, and cake production. Parameters such as temperature and pressure can be precisely adjusted and monitored in real-time. To address the characteristics of cocoa processing, the equipment has optimized its core processes: the squeezing chamber employs a double jacket heating structure, the filtering system eliminates the need for filter cloth design, allowing for simultaneous oil extraction and filtering while avoiding fiber residue.

In the context of the global cocoa processing industry's shift towards intensification and intelligence, this technological upgrade perfectly aligns with market demands. By 2025. the global bulk cocoa market is projected to reach USD 18.5 billion, with the Asia-Pacific region serving as the growth engine. Equipment automation upgrades have become crucial for enhancing the efficiency of the entire supply chain. Compared to traditional equipment, this domestically manufactured new machine, with its “end-face oil discharge” design and fully enclosed process, not only improves efficiency but also ensures cleanliness, addressing the pain points of traditional equipment's high reliance on manual labor and production interruptions. Additionally, with the support of a well-developed domestic service network, the equipment can provide rapid installation, debugging, training, and maintenance services, significantly reducing downtime compared to imported equipment. Utilizing high-quality chrome-plated steel, its core components are highly durable, and the unit's energy consumption is lower than that of traditional models, thereby effectively reducing a company's operational costs. Previously, its similar-series equipment had already been exported overseas, demonstrating the international competitiveness of domestic equipment.

For a long time, domestic high-end cocoa processing equipment has largely relied on imports. Through targeted research and development, CHOCOMACH has achieved breakthroughs in key areas such as hydraulic control precision and automation integration, thereby filling the technical gap in continuous hydraulic pressing equipment for high-oil-content materials in China. This also holds demonstrative significance for promoting the localization of cocoa processing equipment.

Industry insiders believe that with the implementation of the EU's“Zero Deforestation Act” and the upgrading of domestic food industry standards, companies are increasingly demanding higher levels of equipment compliance and stability. CHOCOMACH's customized solutions not only meet the needs of domestic enterprises for capacity and quality improvements but also provide adaptable equipment for emerging processing hubs in Africa and Southeast Asia, thereby contributing to the sustainable development of the global cocoa industry chain. In the future, companies will optimize their processes based on market feedback and further expand their applications to other high-oil material processing fields such as walnuts and tea seeds.