A plant-based coating for fruits, which helps them retain moisture, a working automated scrubber for produce bins and a new case packer was among the solutions highlighted by JBT at Fruit Logistica 2023 in Berlin, Germany last week.
JBT outlined some of its innovations helping make fresh produce companies safer, more sustainable and more efficient. One such solution is JBT’s new Nature- Cote™ line of plant-based protective coatings, which offers an all-natural means of keeping fruits fresher for longer. NatureCote works to naturally enhance the fruit’s ability to retain moisture, helping avoid the onset of rot and in the process, extend shelf-life.
Also on hand was a full-size JBT S-Series Bin Scrubber which can help fruit and vegetable producers simplify a labor-intensive and costly area. A study carried out JBT in cooperation with a U.S. 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 percent in energy per hour compared with hand washing.
JBT’s Bin Scrubber system presents an effective way of cutting costs without sacrificing hygiene by using a patented inversion scrubbing feature that cleans as well as makes water distribution as effective as possible, including a triple filtration system.
Two innovations for the fresh-cut sector further complemented 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 seeds efficiently, the Sweet Pepper Decorer features a 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.
The Magnetic Onion Peeler helps fresh-cut businesses achieve higher yields, superior hygiene and convenience.
The JBT Fruit Logistica lineup also featured a packing line solution from tray sealing and packaging line specialist JBT Proseal. The company showcased its Proseal 3 Tier fresh produce line, featuring its 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 were 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, labeling and final pallet labeling. This helps to minimize coding and packaging errors and improve overall efficiency.
