While the latest sorting technology was implemented at a rapid pace in other sectors (such as fruit), the onion industry lagged behind a bit. After a first attempt in 2012, optical sorting will only really gain a foothold in the Netherlands in 2018.
There are now 3 optical sorting lines for onions in the Netherlands, a fourth has been dismantled early. The four-lane Longobardi at Wiskerke Onions in Kruiningen has been running for 3 years now, an Eqraft has been running as a test case at onion breeder Hoza in Oudenhorn since last year and the line of JDC Onion Grading Solutions at Top Onions in 's-Gravenpolder recently became operational. At the end of 2018, MSP Onions in Nieuwdorp will also have a completely new onion packing station. Compared to other countries, the Netherlands is not far ahead. However, that will soon change, because various sorting companies now have concrete plans.
In the past 5 years, programs have been developed in which all syndromes that occurred during wet and dry periods are recognized. Thanks to this complete picture, the accuracy of the machine is now maximum. So it can be used immediately, says JDC director Hugo Jongejans. Now that the builders of individual components are also working together, interest from onion sorters is increasing. All the more so because technology has grown enormously in the last 5 years.
“What is now possible with data analysis, for example, was not possible 2 years ago,” explains commercial director Rutger Keurhorst of Eqraft. The company from Emmeloord designs, builds and maintains processing and packaging solutions for onions, potatoes, vegetables, fruit and bulk goods worldwide. “A dream 5 years ago, now a reality: a plug-and-play machine that detects internal and external features, is controlled from an iPad and whose software communicates via data link with the traceability system and the packaging lines.”
The time of separate components is over
Top Onions is the first Dutch company to have a sorter with JDC technology. “In the United States (US) a number of large onion processing companies are already working with our technology,” says Jongejans of JDC, which operates 15 optical onion lines (with software from parent company Ellips from Eindhoven) in the US, Europe and Australia.
Eqraft also works together. The Onion Tech Alliance (Deprez Handling Solutions, Modesta and Symach) has about 25 joint projects to its name, some of which are optical. Keurhorst: “Projects are getting bigger and more complex. Then it is nice if you can present a complete plan and the components are coordinated via automation.”
Guarantee on internal quality
According to Jongejans, an optical sorting installation can be interesting for every type of onion processor and/or packaging company. “For some companies it's all about internal quality, for others you have to meet delivery reliability or quality requirements. Saving labor costs is always a factor when investing in our technology.”
In some countries, the retail sector already requires that its batch has been checked for internal quality. Supermarkets make the most margin on fruit and vegetable products. “Every bag with a firecracker in it that has to be thrown away hurts,” Keurhorst says. “They cover their risk with an internal quality assessment. If retailers know that the technology is available, they want it.”
That is exactly what Wiskerke Onions uses the optical sorter for. The machine is now 4 years old and is doing well, says director Jaap Wiskerke. “The onions for chain stores go over this machine to guarantee that there is nothing wrong with it internally. We can also solve certain problem parties.” Certain techniques have now become obsolete, but he is not yet thinking of an upgrade or a completely new sorter. “I doubt the return. In addition, the masses, such as to Africa (where color and size matter less), can use the traditional cheaper lines.”
Revolution
Nevertheless, the machine builders expect a revolution in onion processing. Partly inspired by the sustainability trend and the careful handling of food. Jongejans: “Our technology enables us to prevent unnecessary waste. Each onion is sorted according to the right characteristics and arrives at the customer in the right place, in the right quality and in the right quantity.”
Technology that has grown enormously in recent years. “There is a layer of data and intelligence available that was not there 5 years ago,” says Keurhorst. The sooner you apply it, the better, says Jongejans. “The longer you wait, the longer you produce inefficiently and have insufficient control over the quality delivered. Our customers achieve great results! Our technology gives them a significant advantage over the competition.”
Photo: JDC
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