Advanced IQF Solutions for Plant-Based Food

Powering the Future of Plant-Based Food Processing

The plant-based food sector is experiencing explosive growth, fueled by:

• Health-Conscious Consumers: More people are opting for meat alternatives that align with their
  health and wellness goals.
• Sustainability Awareness: Ethical and environmental concerns are pushing consumers and
  producers towards plant-based solutions.
• Culinary Innovation: The demand for realistic meat textures and flavors in plant-based foods is
  driving advancements in production and processing techniques.

IQF Freezing Plant-Based Food

IQF freezing plant-based products is about protecting the texture and appearance that make them appealing, while keeping hygiene standards high. Sticky marinated or cooked products tend to clump together, and without the right handling, pieces can end up with brittle edges or freezer burn that affect their visual appeal. At the same time, strict hygiene is essential to prevent cross-contamination and keep every batch safe.

OctoCore Solution – IQF Freez

The OctoCore IQF Freeze meets these challenges with advanced technology tailored to meat and
poultry products. Key features include:

• Fluidization Technology: Ensures good product separation, preventing clumping and preserving
  appearance.
• Adjustable Freezing Zones: Tailored airflow settings minimize dehydration and ensure consistent
  freezing.
• High Food Safety Standards: Easy-to-clean design with removable bedplates eliminates
  cross-contamination risks.
• Energy Efficiency: Frequency-controlled fans reduce energy use by up to 30%, while maintaining
  freezing performance.

Frying Plant-Based Products

From crispy nuggets to coated strips, frying gives many plant-based products the color, crunch and bite consumers look for. Getting there takes stable conditions, since fluctuating oil temperature leads to uneven color and texture, while loose coating breaks down the oil faster and can leave dark spots on the product. Over time, poor oil quality affects both flavor and operational costs.

OctoCore Solution – ContiFry

The OctoCore ContiFry is built for stable, controlled frying that delivers even color and crisp texture throughout production. Key features include:

• Balanced Oil Circulation: Ensures uniform submersion and consistent heat transfer across the full belt width.
• Precise Temperature Control: Supports even browning and texture, even at high capacity.
• Integrated Filtration: Maintains oil quality and extends oil lifetime, reducing operational costs.
• Flexible Heating Configuration: Electrical or thermal oil heating to fit existing plant infrastructure.

For continuous removal of crumbs and particles, ContiFry can be combined with ClearOil filtration.

Oven Cooking Plant-Based Products

Plant-based products need to look and feel right, which makes cooking one of the most important steps in the process. Uneven airflow leads to variable browning, and long cooking times without humidity control dry out the product and reduce yield. With a wide range of recipes and formats, processors also need the flexibility to switch between products without compromising quality.

OctoCore Solution – LinearCook and SpiralCook

The OctoCore LinearCook and SpiralCook use hot air and steam for uniform cooking and browning, with precise control over every step. Key features include:

• Flexible Cooking Modes: Hot air, air and steam, or steam only, for browning, gentle cooking or yield-focused processes.
• Humidity Control: Reduces moisture loss during cooking to protect yield and juiciness.
• Independent Cooking Zones: LinearCook’s two zones allow different temperatures and climates within one oven.
• High Capacity in a Compact Footprint: SpiralCook combines long cooking times with a small footprint.

Roasting and Cooking Plant-Based Products

For patties and other formed products, a roasted surface and a moist, tender core are what make the product convincing. High surface temperatures can dry the product out, and sticky or marinated items tend to adhere to belts and disrupt production. Handling surface roasting and core cooking in separate machines also adds footprint, handling and energy use.

OctoCore Solution – CombiCook

The OctoCore CombiCook combines contact cooking with hot air and steam in one system, managing surface roasting and core cooking in a single process. Key features include:

• Contact and Air Cooking Combined: Heated plates create a roasted surface and optional grill marks, while hot air and steam cook the core evenly.
• Separate Heating Zones: Allow optimal color development with low moisture loss.
• PTFE-Coated Belts: Prevent belt marks and minimize product buildup, even with sticky or marinated products.
• Recipe Management: Repeatable settings and easy adjustment between products through an intuitive touchscreen.