TURKEY – Buhler, the Uzwil based Switzerland technology company has launched a new innovation of sorting technologies for natural hazelnuts, marking a new entry into this new market in Turkey.
The technology complements other technologies rolled in the US for almond, pistachio and walnut, all aimed at helping processors increase yield while operating at the highest efficiency.
Buhler is responding to industry and consumer pressure for a “zero tolerance” approach to contamination that is driving demand for its SORTEX E and SORTEX F optical sorters for walnut, almond and pistachio markets.
Its innovation including the SORTEX BioVision technology launched in 2015 is improving nut processing through improved capabilities in conveying, cleaning, sizing, grading, roasting, grinding and pasteurization of nuts.
Buhler believes that with the hazelnut processors, producers will be able to achieve increased yield and efficiency as a result of process optimization just as achieved with a series of its other innovative technologies.
Buhler’s already established footprint in processing of roasted and blanched hazelnuts gives it a confident entry into the natural hazelnut sector.
The new technology which provides a total sorting solution from harvesting to end product for all hazelnut variants increases the number of technological options to be explored by natural hazelnut processors.
These processors have in the past been challenged by the complexity of nut processing that is difficulties in distinguishing between skin and shell while also being able to recognize nut damage and shape distortions.
SORTEX FB range and BioVision technology is a combination of four technologies that is, BioVision, Enhanced InGaAsHD, ColorVision and PROfile, capable of detecting color defects, shell and foreign material while optimizing shell removal.
“The main advantage of this new technology for the processors sorting natural hazelnuts is that they will be able to achieve higher accuracy and higher throughput, with less good product lost.
Each of the four technologies plays a complementary role in stopping unwanted material getting through while making sure the good material is not rejected,” said Christophe Parrot, Head of Segment Coffee Nuts and Cocoa at Buhler’s Digital Technologies Business Area.
