TOMRA to Showcase Next-Generation Food Sorting Technology at Pack Expo
Food Producers Embracing Innovative New Ways to Improve Yields and Profits While Advancing Food Safety
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Sept. 18, 2017) – Global food sorting leader, TOMRA Sorting, Inc., announced today that the company will be showcasing two of its newest innovative sorting machines at the upcoming Pack Expo in Las Vegas, in the expo’s South Hall from Sept. 25-27 (Booth 8027).
“With greater pressure on food producers to improve productivity and ensure a safe, high-quality food supply, our new offerings represent an exciting development for the industry across crops and food products,” said Karel Strubbe, TOMRA’s Regional Sales Director for the Americas and Oceania.
Enhanced Potato Processing Technology
With worldwide demand for potato products continuing to grow, TOMRA Sorting Food is supporting potato processors by launching an enhanced sorting solution which removes more than 98 percent of all typical foreign objects found in product streams after washing and peeling.
Food processors struggling with filtering out such foreign materials and defects as stones, plastics, glass, wood, metal, corncobs and rot will welcome the TOMRA 5A, which offers state-of-the-art sorting technology.
“TOMRA is already responsible for peeling an estimated 85 percent of the world’s potatoes for French fries” said Stubbe, who noted that TOMRA 5A sorter builds on the company’s decades-long partnership with the potato industry as well as its dominance in potato sorting technology with its new quality management controls and new peel control module.
This new technology also ensures the food safety of the whole potato along the entire processing line. In addition, it also dramatically reduces the risk of foreign objects damaging cutting equipment or otherwise contributing to a line stoppage.
“In addition to improving yields and lowering operational costs, the TOMRA 5A enhances food safety with its sophisticated ability to remove foreign material and minimize the risk of food contamination,” added Strubbe.
Comprehensive Vegetable Sorting
The TOMRA 5B sorting machine guarantees optimal sorting of a variety of food products, from vegetables and potatoes to leafy products. Its new and innovative capabilities assist customers to meet the highest standards for both food safety and quality.
The TOMRA 5B incorporates TOMRA’s smart surround view technology, which features high-resolution cameras and high intensity LEDs, providing superior product appearance and 360-degree inspection.
“These innovations result in improved product quality, by identifying each object to improve color and shape detection,” said Strubbe. “The technology also leads to improved foreign material removal, while ensuring product quality and a reduction of false rejection rates.”
Meeting the latest Sanitation and Food Safety Regulations
One of the most important new features of both machines is their ability to help customers meet the latest regulatory food safety and quality standards.
“The new sorters offer enhanced sanitation features that have been designed and developed in accordance with the latest food hygiene standards and specifications,” he said. “ The TOMRA 5B, in particular, has a fast and efficient cleaning process that results in fewer unreachable areas and reduced waste material.”
Strubbe also noted that customers are embracing the company’s powerful new state-of-the-art user interface — TOMRA ACT. This brand-new intuitive and functional graphical user interface design and operating system encompasses a one-screen layout so users can see all critical sort information and real-time sorting data at a glance. Quick monitoring and fast adjustments are possible at all times, which means the customer is always in control of the quality of the sort.
“Both sorters are extremely user-friendly and easy for operators to manage,” he said. “Across the board, this new technology offers tremendous value and relevance from a business and end-user perspective. We are excited to share this new technology with the industry at Pack Expo.”
ABOUT TOMRA SORTING FOOD
TOMRA Sorting Food designs and manufactures sensor-based sorting machines for the food industry. Over 6,250 systems are installed at food growers, packers and processers worldwide.
The company provides high-performance optical sorters, graders, peeling and process analytics systems for nuts, grains and seeds, dried fruit, potato products, fruits, vegetables, tobacco, meat and seafood. The systems ensure an optimal quality and yield, resulting in increased productivity, throughput and an effective use of resources.
TOMRA Sorting Food is part of TOMRA Sorting Solutions, which also develops sensor-based systems for the recycling, mining and other industries. This powerful combination of technologies makes TOMRA Sorting one of the most advanced providers of sensor-based sorting solutions in the world, with over 11,300 of its systems installed globally.
Norwegian company TOMRA Systems ASA, which is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange, owns TOMRA Sorting. Founded in 1972, TOMRA Systems ASA has a turnover around €710m (2016) and employs over 2,800 people.