Ardo operates the pioneering SORTEX
F optical sorter from Bühler, fitted, as
standard, with SORTEX PolarVision –
Bühler’s specialist detection system,
combining two pioneering proprietary
technologies, to deliver unprecedented
FM detection. They recently installed
another two SORTEX Fs at their processing
plant in Benimodo, Spain. Van Engelandt
adds: “The SORTEX F perfectly meets our
quality, safety and hygiene standards.
Consumers everywhere are becoming more
demanding. Quite rightly they expect high
quality and safety from a leading brand
such as Ardo.
“We cannot fail in that, if we are to meet
that expectation and retain our market
position. We must take care of each single
detail within our supply chain, which
means not only using the right technology,
but also choosing the right technology
suppliers, who share our vision. We see
Bühler as our technology partner.
“In our experience, PolarVision technology
is one of the best digital-vision technologies
when it comes to detecting FM in the
industrial frozen vegetables process. It’s a
jump forward”, Van Engelandt continues.
“We tested all other options, including laser,
chlorophyll, translucency, but PolarVision
was unsurpassed and it’s becoming
standard in all our plants. When we were
testing PolarVision, formerly problematic
FM such as snails and dark plastic, became
visible, and were removed, with an increase
in yields, due to a more precise detection of
defects.”
perceive this kind of product as almost
ready to eat.”
When asked why Ardo decided to upgrade
its SORTEX Es rather than buying new Fs,
Van Engelandt replies: “The Es were a great
investment at the time. They took our quality
to the upper levels of the standards required.
They remain reliable and by upgrading with
PolarVision technology, we could achieve a
superior sort similar to the SORTEX F but for
a significantly lower capital investment,” he
smiles. “And, fitting the PolarVision upgrade
kit is unbelievably quick. Within a day or two,
our machines are back up and running like
new.
“In the future, if old machines need
replacing, we’ll go straight for the latest
generation SORTEX Fs. We aim to have the
most efficient technology to ensure quality
and protect consumers from risk posed by
FM. Safety remains our key challenge, as for
all food processors. This is especially true
with frozen products, because consumers
Stefano Bonacina, Segment Development
Manager for Fruit & Vegetables in Europe
and CIS, summarises: “Sourcing the finest
local products, investing in the most
advanced sorting solutions and upgrading
where required ensures that Ardo’s food
safety and quality standards remain industry
leading.
“Processors who want to achieve a greater
sorting efficiency in terms of FM as well as
colour defect removal, can choose from the
SORTEX F fitted with PolarVision or if they
already have the SORTEX E they can upgrade
it.
“The PolarVision upgrade kit has been
designed to be installed with minimum
disruption and downtime, enabling the
removal of notoriously difficult to detect FM,
for a fraction of the cost of investing in a new
sorter.”
Bonacina concludes: “By investing in
PolarVision you’ll not only benefit from a
greater level of safety and quality, you’ll
profit from higher yields and fewer consumer
complaints.”
www.buhlergroup.com
Issue 37 PECM
129