Superior Protein Structuring — Continuous. Controlled. Flexible.
DST develops and supplies the patented Sheartex technology used by manufacturers to produce next-generation fibrous and advanced protein textures at industrial scale.
Our continuous process delivers clean-label products, high ingredient flexibility, and fibrous structures impossible to create with extrusion — all with equipment built for simplicity and low operating costs.
Why DST
Food manufacturers increasingly need clean-label textures, ingredient flexibility, and structures not achievable with extrusion — delivered through equipment that is easy to handle and cost-effective to operate.
Yet extrusion, the industry's legacy technology, brings well-known constraints:
-
Limited fiber length and directionality
-
High thermal load
-
Recipe-dependent mechanical adjustments
-
Narrow structural bandwidth
-
Complex operation
-
Difficulty switching between structure types
Sheartex eliminates these constraints through a continuous and highly controllable protein structuring process.
How Sheartex Works
Sheartex uses unidirectional high shear combined with DST-engineered cooling dies to convert plant-based or hybrid protein formulations into advanced fibrous structures.
Core Principles
-
Fully continuous process with stable, reproducible output
-
Cooling dies determine fiber length, alignment, geometry & moisture profile
-
Low thermal load → clean-label potential
-
Independent control of shear, throughput, temperature & residence time
-
Ingredient flexibility: soy, pea, blends, fungi, concentrates, isolates
-
Modular, sanitary, industrial design
Enables creation of
-
Long meat-like fibers
-
Layered slices
-
Shredded fibers
-
Tuna-like flaky structures
-
Whole cuts
-
Chunk structures
And all this is achieved without modifying the machine — only by adjusting recipe and machine setpoints.
What DST offers
Sheartex Technology
Patented continuous protein structuring technology designed for next-generation fibrous and advanced textures.
Equipment Portfolio
-
Sheartex 30
Pilot scale (5–30 kg/hr) -
Sheartex 300
Industrial scale (up to 500 kg/hr) -
Cooling Dies & Add-Ons
Engineered by DST for maximum textural versatility, with in-line dosing and automated CIP to support full continuous processing.
Services
-
Demonstrations
-
Product development support
-
Training (remote & in-person)
-
Technical service & Service Level Agreements (SLA)
Structure Gallery
See the variety of textures achievable with Sheartex







