Sorting technology advances and challenges in the apple and cherry business: BIG Interview with Benedetta Ricci Iamino, TOMRA Food

TOMRA Food and ICOEL have a vital role to play in the cherry and apple businesses worldwide by integrating their sorting technologies to improve workflow and production efficiency. Today, we chat with Benedetta Ricci Iamino, TOMRA Food Global Segment Director – Cherry and Processed Vegetables, who explains how their combined efforts streamline operations from the initial sorting of raw materials to the final stages of packaging. 

 

TOMRA is well-known for its cutting-edge sensor-based sorting technology and comprehensive grading and peeling solutions, which significantly enhance the quality and efficiency of food production. ICOEL specializes in designing and manufacturing robust equipment for fruit handling, processing, and packaging, including systems for bin and crate emptying, treatment processes, and manual and automatic packing solutions.

 

Fructidor: Can you tell us about your collaboration with ICOEL?

 

Benedetta Ricci Iamino: Certainly! Compac, a New Zealand company, started its collaboration with ICOEL back in 2002. In 2016, TOMRA acquired Compac and continued this collaboration. ICOEL is our main supplier and integrator of solutions in various countries for different commodities such as citrus, stone fruit and apples, among others. We have exclusive agreements in some countries, such as Chile for cherries.

 

Fructidor: So, collaboration means success, doesn’t it? 

 

Benedetta Ricci Iamino: Absolutely. The strength of our partnership lies in how we complement each other. TOMRA focuses on developing and supplying the grading and sorting lines, which are the brain of the system. ICOEL supplies the peripheral equipment, integrating our lines for cherries across the world except for North America, and also for apples in several countries They handle everything before and after the sorting process, including traceability and control.

 

Fructidor: Do they provide other services for you?

 

Benedetta Ricci Iamino: Yes, in some countries, ICOEL services our equipment, and we support each other. In the markets where we have a direct presence, they provide their equipment and TOMRA fully supplies the integrated solutions, whereas in those where they are present, we support them and our customers with our expertise.

 

 

 

Challenges in the cherry and apple business and technologies that solve them

 

 

Fructidor: What are the current challenges in the apple and cherry business?

 

Benedetta Ricci Iamino: The main challenges are achieving consistency in quality, maximizing throughput, minimizing food waste, and sourcing skilled labor. These are global challenges, not just regional ones. In the past, another challenge for optical technology was to identify hard defects accurately and adapt quality categories for different markets; thanks to our latest developments this challenge has now been solved.

 

Fructidor: What technology do you propose to overcome these challenges?

 

Benedetta Ricci Iamino: Last year we launched a Deep Learning grading platform called LUCAi™ for apples, and this year we introduced it for cherries. Unlike traditional Machine Learning, which mimics human brain data analysis, Deep Learning processes data at a much more intricate level, enhancing accuracy. This allows for more nuanced decision-making based on comprehensive image recognition and a much bigger database to learn from.

Fructidor: Can you elaborate on how LUCAi™ works?

 

Benedetta Ricci Iamino: LUCAi™ uses an incredibly vast array of images, which we label to teach the system to recognize specific defects and fruit types. This advanced AI capability allows the system to make multi-layered decisions, recognizing subtle nuances in defects that were previously challenging with a higher level of accuracy and reliability.

 

Fructidor: That sounds quite advanced. How do you see this technology evolving?

 

Benedetta Ricci Iamino: The LUCAi™platform is designed to be future-proof, accommodating upgrades and customizations. It is also flexible enough to complement existing systems or replace them if needed, offering our customers adaptability according to their needs, especially when new defects or varieties emerge.

 

Fructidor: And how does this technology help in reducing food waste?

 

Benedetta Ricci Iamino: LUCAi™ leverages the detailed understanding of defects and market tolerances to provide predictive insights before changes are made to the sorting parameters. This allows for precise adjustments, minimizing the risk of discarding good produce or leaving bad quality in the final pack out.

Fructidor: What about energy consumption?

 

Benedetta Ricci Iamino: All our lines, including ICOEL’s peripheral equipment, are equipped with speed variators and smart line controls. This automation ensures that only necessary machines of the line operate, significantly reducing overall energy consumption across the line.

 

Fructidor: It sounds like LUCAi™ not only optimizes operations but also enhances efficiency. What's the next step for this technology?

 

Benedetta Ricci Iamino: We continue to refine LUCAi™ to ensure it meets the evolving needs of the market. Our goal is to provide technologies that not only meet today's standards but are also adaptable for future demands, making them a valuable long-term investment for our clients. 

 

 

 

To learn how your fruit business would benefit from TOMRA sorting and grading solutions, send your inquiry