1933
Niro is founded by Johan Ernst Nyrop. GEA Niro is
a world leader in industrial drying, with spray drying, freeze drying, and
fluid bed processing as core technologies. First company name: A/S Niro
Atomizer.
1950's
An extensive network of agents and licensees is
established in the early 50's. The scope of delivery changes as Niro begins
supplying complete spray dryers instead of components and drawings for local
plant fabrication and installation. Niro establishes own subsidiaries in
France, Argentina and Brazil, and the staff increases to a hundred employees.
At the end of the decade Mr. Nyrop's dream of an international group of
companies has come true.
1960's
Research and
development is in focus to ensure continued growth. Alternative air dispersing
and atomization techniques are incorporated in the drying systems. Niro's image
as a leader in spray drying technology is strengthened. Flash and fluid bed
dryers are added to the delivery program.
Highlights:
1962
Break-through in the design of abrasion-resistant atomizer
wheels.
1964
New markets established for high
temperature, high capacity, heavy duty spray drying within clays, kaolin,
catalysts and mining products.
1964
Contract signed
for supply of the first large fluid bed dryer for polymer.
1965
Supply of industrial plant No. 1000.
1970's
DDS (Danish
Sugar Factories) gradually acquires the shares of A/S Niro Atomizer.
The importance of controlling feed quality prior to drying brings Niro
into the concentration business and falling film evaporators become part of the
scope of supply, primarily within the dairy industry. This involvement in
pre-treatment has since grown to include extraction and membrane filtration.
Highlights:
1970
Two-stage drying concept
introduced to the dairy industry.
1978
Spray drying
technology applied to air pollution control.
1980's
There is a need to further develop particulate processing
techniques so as to produce powdered, agglomerated or granular products of
specific properties. Niro meets this challenge by upgrading its fluid bed
technology and introducing new equipment for blending, coating, pelletizing,
and de-dusting.
In 1989, Niro becomes a member of the Danisco Group
following the merger of DDS with Danisco and De Danske Spritfabrikker (Danish
Distillers).
Highlights:
1981
Patented
concept of spray dryer with integrated fluid bed developed.
1982
First full-scale spray dryer absorber supplied for
desulphurization of flue gas from utility plant.
1990's
Niro drops "Atomizer" from the company name and introduces a new
logo.
In 1993, the Niro Group is acquired by the German GEA Group
and begins to co-operate closely with other GEA companies specializing in
process technology and engineering. With its worldwide network of subsidiaries
Niro forms the Powder Technology Division of the GEA Group.
A new business unit, GEA Niro Pharma Systems, is formed to
strengthen the presence of the Powder Technology Division in the pharmaceutical
market.
In 1999, GEA joins the mg technologies group.
Highlights:
1991
The spray
dryer with integrated fluid bed becomes the most important spray dryer concept
in the food and chemical industries for producing agglomerated instant powders.
1992
First 10 t/h milk powder plant commissioned.
1992
The FILTERMAT® featuring a built-in conveyor
belt completes the range of spray dryer designs. This plant ensures successful
drying of sticky, hygroscopic, thermoplastic and slowly crystallizing products
that are difficult to dry in conventional designs.
1994
High speed, double action extractors for coffee underline Niro's leading
position as a supplier of soluble coffee production lines.
1995
First steam sterilizable spray dryer sold to customer in the
pharmaceutical industry.
1996
Development of the
patented BUBBLE PLATE™ air distribution plate.
2000+
In 2002, Niro acquires from
Atlas-Stord Denmark A/S the activities of the Atlas Food Division specializing
in the design and supply of freeze drying systems for food applications and
vacuum systems for deodorizing edible oil. GEA concentrates its engineering
operations within powder technology and liquid processing in the Process
Engineering Division.
In 2004, GEA acquires Colby
Powder Systems, a world leader in the design and engineering of integrated
powder handling systems for the international dairy and baby food industry.
Highlights:
• 2002
Introduction of the Integrated Filter Spray Dryer - IFD™ - featuring an
integrated fluid bed and an integrated filter arrangement consisting of
CIP-able bag filters.
• 2003 Supply of Mobile Minor
laboratory scale spray dryer No. 2000.
The wide range of technologies and
plant supplied under the Niro name is portrayed in this home page. It
illustrates Niro’s ability to provide a global customer service of product
testing, process evaluation, project financing, design and engineering, plant
installation, commissioning, and after sales support.
In
2008, on 1 January the new GEA Pharma Systems Division (H-Division) in
GEA is established. The new H-Division will comprise the former Niro Pharma
Systems (NPS) companies in the P-Division including also the Pharma Divisions
in GEA Process Engineering Inc. and GEA Niro. On 1 July the companies in the
GEA Group preferably change their brands to GEA Process Engineering plus
company name. Niro A/S changes to GEA Niro.
Summary:
GEA Niro is owned by GEA, a global group
of companies specializing in process and thermal engineering activities. GEA
Niro is a member of GEA Process Engineering Division, which is represented in
more than 40 countries and retains a total of about 4,600 employees.