Insort, Qcify partner to advance food sorting and inspection technology

GLOBAL – Insort and Qcify have announced a strategic partnership aimed at improving automation and food safety in the food processing industry.

This collaboration will provide advanced visual solutions, enabling food processors to maintain high standards while optimizing efficiency. Alder, a Nordic financial investor specializing in sustainable technology, is backing the initiative.

Matthias Jeindl, Founder of Insort, emphasized the significance of this collaboration in shaping the future of food processing.

“I am thrilled to welcome Qcify as the first new member of our collective vision to build a strong group of companies. Due to Qcify’s outstanding technological approach, we are substantially strengthening our offer to deliver unique solutions for our customers that not only enhance food quality but also redefine efficiency in the industry.”

Insort specializes in hyperspectral imaging technology, while Qcify leads in AI-driven quality control solutions.

By combining their expertise, the two companies aim to refine food inspection methods, ensuring improved safety, waste reduction, and production efficiency. This joint effort is expected to set new industry benchmarks.

Expanding market reach

Qcify’s founder, Raf Peeters, acknowledged the significance of this partnership in driving growth and expanding global reach.

“Qcify’s partnership with Alder and Insort marks a significant milestone, unlocking new opportunities to accelerate our growth and drive innovation in food processing as part of a unified group. As part of this collaboration, I will focus on expanding our group’s presence in the USA and forging global partnerships in the nut and dried fruit industry. Meanwhile, Pieter Ieven, who has successfully led our Applications team for years, will step into the role of CEO of Qcify.”

Since its establishment in 2015, Qcify has been advancing automated quality control with AI-powered inspection systems.

These systems help food producers maintain product consistency while operating more efficiently. With this new partnership, the company is expected to refine its sorting and grading technology at a faster pace, benefiting businesses relying on automated inspection solutions.

“I’m excited to have received the trust from the entire group to lead Qcify as it starts its second decade. This partnership strengthens our ability to push the boundaries of quality control and inspection. By combining our expertise and resources, we are setting the stage for groundbreaking advancements that will benefit our customers and the industry as a whole,” said Pieter Ieven, the incoming CEO of Qcify.

Investing in the future of food safety

Insort, founded in 2011, has developed Chemical Imaging Technology (CIT), which offers real-time molecular-level analysis of food products.

This innovation enhances detection accuracy, ensuring foreign materials and quality deviations are identified promptly.

With Alder’s investment, Insort and Qcify will work on integrated solutions for the food processing industry. By merging Insort’s hyperspectral sorting expertise with Qcify’s AI-powered automation, the partnership aims to optimize global food production, reduce waste, and improve overall efficiency.

“By bringing Qcify’s and Insort’s expertise together, we strengthen our commitment to sustainable food production with cutting-edge technology, building a solid foundation for the next generation of food processing solutions,” said Dag Broman, Partner at Alder.

The food sorting and inspection market is expanding due to automation, artificial intelligence, and hyperspectral imaging advancements.

According to industry projections, the global food sorting machine market was valued at approximately US$2.8 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at an annual rate of 6.9%, reaching US$4.5 billion by 2030.

This growth is driven by increasing demand for processed and packaged foods, stringent safety regulations, and the widespread adoption of AI-powered sorting technologies.

Companies are investing in these systems to enhance efficiency, reduce labor costs, and improve product quality across various food segments, including fruits, vegetables, grains, and seafood.

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