On 1 August 2023,
international measurement technology specialist Anton Paar acquired Brabender,
a traditional German company, which will be integrated into the Anton Paar
Group as Anton Paar TorqueTec GmbH with immediate effect. The company,
headquartered in Duisburg, offers measurement and process technology solutions
for testing various raw materials and for recipe and process development. The
areas of application are very diverse - from food and animal feed to plastics
and rubber, to batteries and other special applications.
The signing of the acquisition agreement took place on 1 August. The parties agreed not to disclose the purchase price. A smooth integration of Brabender into the Anton Paar Group is planned. As before, products and services can be purchased directly via the Brabender website and sales organisation.
For development,
growth and market position
For Anton Paar, the acquisition of Brabender represents a promising addition to its product portfolio, especially in the area of material characterisation - one of Anton Paar's strongest growth markets.
"A decisive factor in Anton Paar's decision to purchase Brabender was the know-how in the development and production of world-leading measuring instruments that the company has built up since its foundation 100 years ago. In line with its own long-term strategy, Anton Paar will sustainably expand and further strengthen Brabender's sites in Duisburg and Hackensack (USA)," said Dr Friedrich Santner, CEO of Anton Paar GmbH.
With the integration into the Anton Paar Group, Brabender's approximately 200 employees will become part of an international measurement technology company that is, among other things, the world market leader in the field of rheometry. A clear commitment to progress, according to Brabender Managing Director Dr. David Szczesny: "Being part of the Anton Paar Group opens up many opportunities for us - both in research and development of our innovative products, as well as in sales and service. It's a great move for us and one that will definitely benefit our employees and customers."
A wide range of
products - from farinographs to extruders
Probably the best-known instrument is the so-called farinograph - it was developed by company founder Carl Wilhelm Brabender in 1928 and is the first and still the most widely used device for checking the quality of flour. It is mainly used in flour mills, by baking agent manufacturers and large bakeries. The Farinograph is a component of the three-phase system developed by Brabender to examine and describe the processes of bakery production (dough preparation, proofing, gelatinisation): The Farinograph measures the possible water absorption of the flour and the kneading properties of the dough. The extensograph analyses the stretching properties of the dough and the amylograph examines the gelatinisation properties of the starch in the flour.
Another product group that is extremely successful at Brabender includes various models of single-screw and twin-screw extruders. The machines, which are offered as compact or modular variants, are mixing and conveying devices that press solid or viscous masses under pressure through a shaping opening. They are used in the food industry - for example in the production of pasta - and in the plastics industry. Extrusion technology also plays an important role in achieving global sustainability goals; Brabender extruders are used, for example, to develop alternative protein sources for meat substitute applications.