We clean and sort nuts, seeds and dried fruit.
Services
With lasering, screening, scrubbing, steam, gas and water
To make products as clean and pure as possible, we put them through a number of tried-and-tested and cutting-edge processing steps. Any foreign bodies and particles that are present, such as wood, glass, plastic, resin, leaves, stalks, small stones and soil, are detected and removed (some examples are depicted below). Screening, washing, extraction and scrubbing systems ensure a first-class appearance. Steaming/gassing ensures that any insects are killed.
Drying serves to kill germs and vacuuming extends the shelf life.
We will be happy to provide advice, in collaboration with our experienced staff, in relation to new product requirements.
Sorting
Laser technology
To achieve the highest level of cleanliness and purity in final products, the products undergo well-established and cutting-edge treatment processes.
Laser technology: We fine-tune settings to achieve the highest degree of purity. Laser technology is used to remove wood, glass, metal, stones, shells, plastic and other foreign items. Settings can be reprogrammed in response to unknown items found by the customer.
Screening, scrubbing, extraction
Scrubbing generally also involves extraction and screening. For initial cleaning of container products, screening should be the first choice. Screening is essential before and after a cleaning step. It separates fine parts and extra-large sizes from the final product. To optimise the fine-tuning of laser-controlled systems, the product must be free from dust. A special extractor system ensures that these fine parts are extracted directly.
Screening
Screening machines
With an extensive range of screen variants that we can use in combination, we are able to remove many impurities in the screening process alone.
Fine-tuned machine settings and the subsequent extraction process then ensure that the goods are absolutely free from dust.
With our long/tumbler screening machines in various sizes, we are able to sort fine and coarse products down to the desired sizes.
With our laboratory screening system and our extensive experience, we are able to determine with certainty what screens are suitable for a particular application.
Hand selection
Sensitive products require a sensitive cleaning process. This can be achieved by hand selection. Laser technology and weight separators are not able to remove the impurities from certain products. But as even these products need to be free from foreign bodies, hand selection can be used instead. This process is managed and performed by expert personnel.
Washing and drying
Washing of the products is mainly performed for dried fruit. A special procedure is needed to remove impurities adhering to the surface of dried fruit.
Dried fruit with impurities, such as dust adhesion, crystallised sugar, pests or stones and stems, can be made ready for market with a complete washing.
Treatment
02. Treatment and processing
Chopping process
The treatment and processing of products includes grinding, chopping and the selection of different particle sizes.
We use a product specification to determine a screening analysis in the lab. The results of this analysis are used to specify parameters for the chopping process. Regular screening analyses ensure that the product quality remains consistent.
Fruits and nuts can be chopped in the sizes 2–4 mm, 5–8 mm and 9–12 mm. If different sizes are needed, we can make the corresponding settings on the basis of samples of chopped product with the desired particle size.
To ensure that even the smallest product fragments do not go to waste, we grind any fragments down to a desired particle size.
Grinding process
Grinding calls for a thorough understanding of the product. The moisture and oil content play a decisive role in the success of the processing. We are always on hand to help our customers make decisions with our expert consultation.
Selection: For the selection of products, we have a large number of screen sizes at our disposal. This means that we can determine a screen size on our lab screening machine in advance, and the results then serve as a production specification. Quality controls ensure consistent quality assurance.
Germ reduction
03. Germ reduction, pasteurisation, drying, roasting
Our continuous sterilisation process is also used in pasteurising, drying and roasting. As we can treat products with wet and saturated steam, we are able to retain the moisture content after the heat treatment or reduce it if desired. Pasteurisation increases the product’s shelf life and has the advantage of retaining nutrients and vitamins. For certain pathogens, pasteurisation is not sufficient. As a result, successful heat treatment relies on the customer providing the correct information. It is important for us to have information on the product’s initial properties, as optimum heat treatment is otherwise impossible. The advantage of our germ-reducing procedure is its continuity and the rapid cool-down phase.
Customs clearance
04. Agencies & public authorities, customs clearance & veterinary
Over the years, the management team has become proficient in dealing with the ever-changing procedures of customs clearance. The specifications and legal changes have also been introduced and implemented conscientiously. The management team has developed its own sampling process with the veterinary inspection office. The facilities are treated with a special misting system before every sampling so that the air has a high level of purity. A secure process workflow has been put in place to deal with products contaminated with salmonella. This workflow was also created in collaboration with authorities.
Storage
05. Storage & transport
Storage & Transport
We also take care of all transport of deliveries and collection. This has a major advantage in connection with customs clearance. Products are stored by product type and shelf life.
The storage also involves warehouse inspections, which are performed regularly and documented. The regular stock protection is performed by an external service provider and documented.
Packaging & pallets
We can handle all kinds of packing units. Evidence of the safety of our packaging materials is provided by the supplier. If the customer uses their own packaging materials, this is their responsibility. All packaging materials are stored separately. We hand over consignments to the road haulage company exclusively on pallets in perfect condition. We do not accept pallets that are in any way damaged or feature imperfections.
Gassing
07. Gassing & disinfestation
When goods are received, we explicitly focus on signs of infestation. In most cases of infestation, the customer commissions a gassing treatment. CO² disinfestation is used for organically grown products. In the event of an insect infestation, the goods are placed in quarantine and locked away. Any infestation calls for a rapid response. After an insect infestation has been treated, the dead insects need to be cleaned away.
