A revolutionary plant-based coating for fruits, which helps them retain moisture, a working automated scrubber for produce bins that uses innovative cleaning system, and a brand-new case packer are among the solutions being highlighted by JBT at produce industry showcase Fruit Logistica 2023, which is taking place in Berlin, Germany until February 10.
JBT will be outlining just some of its innovations that are helping make fresh produce companies safer, more sustainable and more efficient. One such solution is JBT’s new NatureCote line of plant-based protective coatings, which offers an innovative, all-natural means of keeping fruits fresher for longer. Unlike conventional fruit coatings, NatureCote works to naturally enhance the fruit’s ability to retain moisture, helping avoid the onset of rot and in the process extending shelf-life.
Making significant savings
Also, on hand at Fruit Logistica 2023 will be a full-size JBT S-Series Bin Scrubber (below), the solution that can help fruit and vegetable producers simplify an unnecessarily labor-intensive and costly area. A study carried out JBT in cooperation with a leading US citrus organization found that the process of cleaning produce bins can cost as much as US $1.25 per bin per day.
The same research also found that switching to a non-manual system saved 44% in energy per hour compared with hand washing. Water used during the automated process is treated and reused, amounting to significant water savings in contrast to wasteful manual cleaning.
JBT’s Bin Scrubber system presents an effective way of cutting costs without sacrificing hygiene by using a patented inversion scrubbing feature which offers unparalleled cleaning, as well as innovations to make water distribution as effective as possible, including a triple filtration system.
Simplifying fresh-cut operations
Two innovations for the fresh-cut sector will further complement JBT’s presence at the show: the JBT FTNON Sweet Pepper Decorer and the JBT FTNON Magnetic Onion Peeler.
Designed to remove sweet-pepper cores and problematic seeds with unmatched efficiency and versatility, the Sweet Pepper Decorer features a staggering capacity of up to 5,500 sweet peppers per hour. Offering ultra-precise automated clamping, decoring, cleaning, and segmenting, the system enables peppers to be divided into halves, quarters, sixths, or eighths depending on customer needs.
Further simplifying production processes, the Magnetic Onion Peeler helps fresh-cut businesses achieve higher yields, superior hygiene, and unprecedented convenience. This groundbreaking one-of-a-kind peeler offers higher yields and better quality, while optimizing cleanliness and safety.
Complete packing line solution
The JBT Fruit Logistica line-up will be completed with a complete packing line solution from tray sealing and packaging line specialist JBT Proseal. The company will showcase its Proseal 3 Tier fresh produce line, featuring its market leading GT2s tray sealer and CP3 case packing machine, which is capable of filling, sealing and packing up to 120 trays per minute.
Also on display will be examples of modular software packages for all packaging operations from Auto Coding Systems (ACS), which provides centralized monitoring and control for both upstream and downstream equipment, from sealing, coding, and inspection of the primary pack to case packing, labelling and final pallet labelling. This helps to minimize coding and packaging errors and improve overall efficiency.
JBT will be exhibiting at Fruit Logistica 2023 in Hall 1.1 Stand C20 until February 10 in Messe Berlin, Germany.