HMEC (Extrusion of Plant-Based Meats)

High Moisture Extrusion Cooking (HMEC) is used to process functional protein ingredients into meat-like textures - that is, used to make “Plant-Based Meats”.

It is a specialised application of extrusion technology. While not, in itself, a “new” process, it is only recently that it has started to become more widely used commercially, at a time when the vegetarian and vegan markets are expanding rapidly, and there is increasing concern over the environmental sustainability of continued widespread consumption of animal products.

The program starts by introducing extrusion technology in general, but moves quickly to consideration of the ingredients used for HMEC.

Explanation of the protein reactions required to cause texturisation alternates with presentation of the conditions required in the extruder and how to achieve those conditions.

In HMEC, the design of the die is critical in firstly achieving texturisation, and secondly in controlling the type of texture produced.

What is happening in the die, and the design of long cooled texturisation dies, is discussed.

To demonstrate the theory, two practical demonstrations will be shown (pre-recorded videos).

On Day 1 a demonstration of basic HMEC technology, and on Day 2 showing how adjusting conditions in the barrel can be used to modify and control the texture.

  • Organised by: Food Industry Engineering
  • Contact name: Gordon Young
  • Phone: +61414681200
  • Email: gyoung@fie.com.au

Upcoming Events Submit an Event

April

RSM in Sydney and ANZ Emerging Corporate are hosting a Food & Beverage Finance Update. Join them on Thursday 11 April for a discussion on the current financial landscape with short presentations from our guest speakers and an interactive Q&A session.

From April 12 to 14, Brisbane will be home to the world’s leading edible cake artists and decorators for the 2024 International Cake Show Australia. It’s the first time the show has been held in Brisbane.

May

Sydney Spirits Festival promises an extraordinary journey for the senses, offering attendees the opportunity to explore rare and award-winning spirits from international and boutique distillers.

Top industry leaders and pioneering innovators will come together at Workplace Health & Safety Show taking place in both Melbourne and Sydney in 2024.

Now in its third year, Commbank SmallBiz Week is a must-attend event for small and large businesses alike. Attracting thousands of visitors across three days, the event brings together B2B suppliers from a diverse range of industries with small business owners and leaders. Whether you’re in the market to buy or sell, Commbank SmallBiz Week is the only event of its kind on the business calendar.

June

Australia’s leading business expo for natural and healthy products, Naturally Good, is returning on 2-4 June at the Sydney International Convention Centre in Darling Harbour. Visitor registrations are now open.   

This course will provide participants with necessary skills to design a safe and commercially viable thermal schedule for the processing of low-acid food products in hermetically sealed packaging.

July

The Institute of Food Technologists annual IFT FIRST expo will showcase global food and food tech startups and see a return of its large format Startup Pavilion in Chicago from 14-17 July.

September

As the only vending industry show in South-East Asia, Vend ASEAN is an indispensable platform for expanding into the South-East Asian Market.

The 12th ICSD 2024 is inspired from the critical challenge of human, environmental, and economic sustainability concerning the present and future generations in a global-scale context. The theme is: "Creating a unified foundation for the Sustainable Development: research, practice and education".