Processing This is the
Processing This is the first time the Italian company has worked with an optical sorter. Until 2021 it had always relied on mechanical sorters. Today, in order to better cope with the increasingly demanding retail and wholesale markets, it has opted for automation. The difference was obvious right from the start. “Thanks to the new sorting machine, we have really improved everything related to diameter selection and quality of the end product: we are now able to obtain a more accurate gauge. The machine learns with us every day what the problems or perhaps even the advantages of each variety of cherry are, detecting defects for the best quality end product”, explains Anna. Technology that guarantees a clean, homogeneous end product Carlos Eyheralde, the company’s agronomist and quality control manager, boasts extensive experience with sorting machines and optical grading systems. After over a month using TOMRA Food’s InVision2 at the Giacovelli packaging plant, he comments, “This machine is different because it really does come much closer to achieving a clean and homogenous end product. I really appreciate the quality of the electronics, the sensors and the precision of the optical cameras that reject both external and internal problems with the fruit. Even when the cherries come onto TOMRA Food’s InVision2accurately sorts the tons of cherries processed each day at Giacovelli’s Turi plant according to size, shape and color. In addition, the Total View Plus module, thanks to its 7 different views of the cherry, accurately identifies a wide range of defects without affecting processing speed or hourly productivity. 30 food Marketing & Technology • December 2022
Processing the line, it is all handled mechanically and electronically, and the process is really gentle. The machine could still be improved, and I am sure it will be, in making defect selection even more accurate”. In fact, despite the speed of production, the fruit is not hit or damaged and the transfers all take place in water to ensure good individualisation and distribution of the fruit to one of the 30 outlets in the plant. For TOMRA Food, every cherry counts and so does every fruit and vegetable enterprise “Every resource counts” is not just a slogan for TOMRA Food, but a serious commitment to minimising food waste as part of a real food “revolution” involving the entire supply chain. It leverages the latest technology developed from the real needs of the fruit and vegetable industry. Benedetta Ricci Iamino, Global Category Director Cherry, at TOMRA Food, explains the approach to this particular sector. “Over the past 12 months, a team of our experts has travelled to all the world’s major cherry production areas, working side by side with our customers to try and understand how to help them improve yields, minimise waste, lower labor costs and find answers to ongoing Anna continues, “What you can see at a glance is the automation of processing, which optimises and specialises the role of the staff themselves”. She concludes, “We are totally convinced that investing in technology and automation is a key aspect and the TOMRA and Icoel installation was the cherry on top of the cake this year. Without a doubt, automating, innovating and streamlining processes helps everyone a little bit, on a business level and on a processing level”. food Marketing & Technology • December 2022 31
