fijngemaling

Fijngemaling is the industrial process of reducing materials to a fine powder through mechanical action. The aim is to produce powders with small, uniform particle sizes to improve dissolution, reactivity, texture, or stability, depending on the material and application. Fine milling can also increase surface area and enhance processing properties such as flow and blend uniformity.

The term comes from Dutch, where fijn means fine and malen means to grind. In Dutch technical usage the word denotes producing powders that meet specific size specifications; in English-language contexts it is usually referred to as fine milling or finely milled material.

The process typically involves several stages: pre-treatment such as drying or deagglomeration, actual milling with a suitable mill, and classification to remove oversized particles. Classification can be achieved with sieving or air classifiers to achieve the desired particle-size distribution. Depending on the material and required fineness, additional steps such as drying and post-milling conditioning may be employed. Equipment choices include ball mills, roller mills, hammer mills, pin mills, and jet mills, each offering different capabilities regarding hardness, moisture sensitivity, and energy efficiency.

Applications span multiple sectors. In food processing, fijngemaling is used for spices, coffee, cocoa, sugar, and flavorings. In pharmaceuticals, it is applied to active ingredients and excipients. In pigments, minerals, and catalysts, fine milling improves color, flow, and reactivity. Safety and quality considerations include heat generation, dust control, contamination risk, and strict particle-size analysis to ensure consistency and performance.