Dr. Thomas Brümmer

Born 11.08.66 in Detmold, Germany

My job history started 1987 when I began to study food technology at the Technical University of Berlin. My major subject was Cereal Technology at the institute of Prof. Dr. F. Meuser.

Early on I got interested in the twin screw extruder (ZSK25) at the institute. So I did my thesis on this technology regarding starch derivatisation (cationic starch).

Following to this I was asked to do my Doctors Degree at the TUB about a fundamental subject in extrusion technology.

I moved 1999 to Switzerland and joined the new started “Extrusion Systems” department at the Bühler AG. I was responsible for all technological aspects, from a first customer contact, design of processes, Lab trials, customer services and start ups of new or difficult products or processes. Within my time at Bühler I did several patents and one of my developments “vitamized rice” – was awarded with the European Foodtec Award 2006. This process and these product has since become a recognized and helpful option in the UN World Food Program`s fight against malnutrition.

Sine 2006 I work as a free consultant, because I wanted to be more involved in bringing products all the way into markets. I still work time by time for Bühler projects, but I am free towards other extruder types or manufacturers. Current topics of interest are the use of starch and grain milling products in technical industries, such as the textile or paper industries, and the production of meat substitutes and meat analogs such as dry texturates ( TVP ) and wet texturates ( HMP ) from soy, pea and other protein rich raw materials.