As of December 1, 2001 Niro A/S has acquired the Food Division of Atlas-Stord Denmark A/S, the internationally well known supplier of RAY™ and CONRAD™ freeze dryers and also vacuum dry condensing equipment.

The freeze drying and vacuum dry condensing activities will be part of the food and Dairy Division of Niro A/S, Steen Lassen, former General Manager of the Atlas-Stord Food Division, will be responsible for the day to day operation and as Deputy Division Manager will report to the Food and Dairy Division Manager, Kristian Skaarup.

The freeze drying group (Atlas) will be represented by Niro Inc.'s chemical division in North America.

The Atlas range of freeze dryers, which are used for the production of instant coffee and a variety of specialty food products and ingredients, will excellently complement Niro's range of spray dryers and other products for the beverage and food industries.

Phase Drying of Freeze Drying

In the freeze-drying process deep-frozen products are dried at temperatures below -18°C (0°F).

No thawing of the product takes place and its quality is preserved.

Atlas is the world's leading supplier of freeze-drying equipment for the coffee and food industry. Atlas designs and delivers complete coffee freeze-drying plants, and the leading coffee brands are in fact freeze-dried by Atlas equipment.

Freeze drying is a superior preservation method for a variety of foods and food ingredients. Atlas freeze driers set the world standard for design, operation and quality. The delivery programme includes plant sizes ranging from pilot scale to large industrial batch and continuous plants.

Atlas pioneered the freeze-drying business half a century ago, and we are still the leading suppliers. Many years' experience of process design combined with in-house laboratory facilities enable Atlas to customize each delivery.