What is the technology proposed by CHoNova?

CHoNova offers a data and sensing technology that reveals how chocolate behaves in real production conditions. It provides real-time, in-process insights into the development and stability of chocolate structure, enabling manufacturers to better understand, control, and reproduce the highest product quality.

The technology can be used on the production lines (we equip one production mould with sensors) or in laboratories (standalone device).

How can I implement CHoNova’s technology in my company

You have 2 options:
– Implement the technology on your production line. We equip one of your moulds with sensors and it will go through the cooling process with the other moulds collecting data in real time and sending it to a user software. Production applications cover: process setup and process optimization with unique insights to optimize such parameters as cooling time, cooling temperature, air flow, tempering…

– Use the technology in laboratory. A 100g-block mould is used to measure any chocolate or cocoa mass under authentic cooling conditions. A customised cooling unit enables to replicate temperature and air flow conditions of a production line. R&D applications cover : recipe reformulation, batch entrance test, material quality control, root cause analysis, new mould material assessment…

 We provide our technology as a service, on top of rental and purchase options.

Can CHoNova’s technology be used without a mould ?

Today this technology requires the installation of sensors on a mould (Smart Mould Technology). For implementation on production lines, it can only be implemented on moulding lines.
If your products are not moulded, you can use our laboratory device : It consists in a 100g-block mould equipped with sensors, enabling to measure any chocolate or cocoa mass under authentic cooling conditions. A customised cooling unit enables to replicate temperature and air flow conditions of a production line.

Do I have to equip each mould with sensors ?

No. When implementing CHoNova’s technology on your production line, only one mould needs to be equipped out of the whole set of moulds. This mould will gather representative data for the whole production run.

What problems does CHoNova’s technology solve?

Chocolate quality depends on complex and dynamic phenomena that are not visible through temperature or standard spot measurements alone.
CHoNova addresses the gap between process settings and actual material behavior, helping manufacturers:

• Reduce variability and defects
• Improve reproducibility across lines and sites
• Shorten setup and troubleshooting time
• Build a deeper understanding of their chocolate recipes

How is Chonova different from traditional chocolate analysis tools?

Most existing tools are off-line or at-line, static measurements, operator-dependent. 
CHoNova’s technology is in-process and real-time, continuous and dynamic, contextualized with process conditions.

What exactly does CHoNova measure?

CHoNova measures the ultrasound signal between a transmitter and a receiver installed on a mould filled with chocolate. This signal is complemented with other data (temperature, humidity, position, acceleration…). Altogether they reflect the development of chocolate structure beyond crystallization metrics and how the chocolate responds to:

• Thermal and humidity conditions
• Mechanical treatments
• Process stability and transitions

The result is a dynamic fingerprint of chocolate behavior.

Is CHoNova tied to a specific equipment?

No. CHoNova is machine-agnostic and can be integrated into existing production lines or any laboratory. 

Is Chonova’s technology meant for production lines only ?

CHoNova’s technology is meant for production lines and R&D applications.
Production applications cover: process setup and process optimization with unique insights to optimize such parameters as cooling time, cooling temperature, air flow, tempering…
R&D applications cover : recipe reformulation, batch entrance test, material quality control, root cause analysis, new mould material assessment…

Many customers use CHoNova’s technology as a bridge between R&D, production, and quality.

What benefits does Chonova deliver?

Customers typically see value through:

• Reduced waste and rework
• Increased product quality (surface gloss, melt and snap)
• Improved consistency between batches
• Better decision-making based on data, not intuition
• Optimized operating time and increased throughput

How is data handled?

Data ownership remains with the customer.
CHoNova follows industrial best practices for data security and can be integrated according to customer IT and compliance requirements.

How to get started?

The first step is typically a discussion around your process, challenges, and objectives.
From there, Chonova proposes a targeted pilot or integration, focused on concrete use cases and measurable value.
We provide our technology as a service, on top of rental and purchase options.