News on Processing Equipment from Europe

Tys van Elk has started as General Manager of Sormac in Venlo. He will work with colleagues, customers and partners to build the future of the family-owned fruit and vegetable processing equipment manufacturer.

FAM STUMABO updated the feeding system of the SureTec 240P to process potatoes and sweet potatoes up to 200 mm in diameter, improve product orientation, maximize french fry length, and simplify machine setup.

Deprez will present its interactive 'The Factory of the Future' concept at Fruit Attraction 2026 in Madrid and Interpom 2026 in Kortrijk, demonstrating integrated product handling, automation and optimized product flow from receiving to storage and processing.

Pomuni and Deprez mark a partnership spanning generations. From long-standing cooperation to modern automation, their collaboration supports more efficient logistics, increased productivity and continued innovation at Pomuni’s Ranst facility.

Ellips’ Elisam CombiGrader grades potatoes and onions on one compact line, switching between crops within seconds. True-AI and light transmittance technology detect internal and external defects at up to 15 t/h, with a 15-meter footprint.

ELEA demonstrated PiCon Sense and PiCon Vision on a potato PEF treatment line at PEF Advantage Day 2026, highlighting process monitoring, product quality and production performance while advancing research and industrial PEF applications.

The new QualityGrader builds on years of experience with hundreds of machines worldwide. With improved flexibility, capacity, serviceability and AI sorting, it delivers smarter optical quality control for today’s and tomorrow’s needs.

Urschel will showcase three high-capacity cutting solutions at Alimentaria FoodTech 2026 in Barcelona, including the new Little Gem Aspire™ Dicer, M VersaPro® Dicer and Comitrol® Disc Mill 380 for produce and nut processing.

Aardappeldemodag 2026 brought over 4,500 visitors to Westmaas amid a challenging year for the Dutch potato sector. The event focused on market pressures, extreme growing conditions, knowledge sharing, machinery and innovation.

Ellips introduces the CleanFlow Pre-Sorter, using True-AI to remove stones, clods and defects before potato and onion storage or grading, handling up to 120 t/h while reducing equipment wear, storage losses and manual labour.

Haith and GRIMME will co-exhibit for the first time at PotatoEurope 2026 in Springe, Germany, presenting complementary solutions spanning potato planting, harvesting, post-harvest handling, washing, grading and packing.

Optimum Sorting's laser technology detects hidden defects, foreign materials, wet centers, soft rot and solanine in potatoes, fries and chips, delivering high-precision sorting with 0.3 mm resolution and up to 3,333 scans per second.

Ellips will present five True-AI grading solutions at Potato Europe 2026, September 9–10 in Springe, Germany, addressing labor shortages, quality demands and capacity challenges in potato and onion grading.

Agristo is investing €350 million (USD 405 million) in a new Hauts-de-France potato processing site, its second-largest facility. Located 120 km from Belgium, the project will create 300 jobs and strengthen its French market presence.

Flikweert Vision says its AI-powered QualityGrader helps potato and onion processors cut labour costs boost processing capacity by 10–20% reduce unnecessary rejects and improve batch insights with VisionCore for faster ROI.

Jensma Agro installed two Optica Q optical sorters to grade 30 t/h of seed potatoes with less labour. The system cuts manual inspection, improves efficiency, increases capacity and supports future growth, with minor software improvements planned.

Janine Luten, Director of the Dutch Potato Organisation (NAO), says innovation, knowledge sharing and collaboration are essential to keeping the Netherlands a global leader in potatoes while tackling labour, sustainability and regulatory challenges.

Mousline faced a difficult 2025 with lower sales, crop problems, and lost contracts. The French brand is investing €14 million (USD 16.2 million), expanding exports, innovating products, and launching plant-based spreads to drive recovery.