The post-harvest processing of carrots can be optimized through technological innovation

The post-harvest phase is playing an increasingly important role in environmental sustainability goals by reducing the amount of electricity used to process and package fruits and vegetables. A good example is the Italian company Fonteverde, which, in recent years, has installed a 1-megawatt photovoltaic system on the roofs of its facilities.
© Gaetano Piccione | FreshPlaza.comDomenico Longo and Francesca Calabrese

Fonteverde's commitment is not limited to energy; the company has always been proactive in implementing environmental measures in the cultivation process, guiding its growers towards agronomic techniques that respect the environment and the healthiness of their products. Moreover, 2024 was a crucial year for the company and, more specifically, for its flagship product, the early carrot.

© Gaetano Piccione | FreshPlaza.comAs part of the company's ongoing commitment to technological process innovation, a state-of-the-art plant was realized in cooperation with companies such as Saclark, Newtec, and Tecno Group Lab.

"The project is closely linked to the Transition 5.0 philosophy and the company's commitment to the environment. We replaced an outdated plant and installed two new optical sorting machines from the Danish brand Newtec, which uses artificial intelligence," says Francesca Calabrese, financial manager at Fonteverde. "These optical readers make it possible to analyze the characteristics of the carrots and automatically sort and size them. This not only increases the processing potential of the product but also significantly reduces the energy impact, a key requirement of Transition 5.0. The total investment was €1.7 million."

The complexity of the plant necessitated an in-depth study and testing phase, as it was a customized plant. Collaboration with partner companies, including Tecno Group Lab, was essential to ensure the successful execution of the project.

"This strategic investment is intended to enhance our competitiveness in target markets, particularly in Eastern and Northern Europe, while also creating new opportunities," adds the financial manager.

Domenico Longo, commercial director and vice president of Tecno Group Lab, explains the technical part: "Fonteverde now uses Celox machines that sort carrots not only by weight but also by length and diameter. This makes it possible for them to meet the different needs of their customers. By processing larger quantities in different packaging, they can also deliver faster and respond better to customer requests."

"In the specific case of Fonteverde," says Longo, "we installed and set up a system inside the warehouse, integrating two Newtec Celox sorters, capable of handling about 80,000 pieces per hour per machine. The main objective of the project was to optimize processing, input and output management and packaging to the maximum."

Thanks to its own design, Tecno Group Lab has been able to realize a turn-key system, from input to output, making the processing of the plant extremely efficient. The process includes an initial pre-washing phase to remove stones, leaves, and grass, then a washing phase, and finally an optical sorter and grader with Newtec machines. The selected product is then carried by several conveyors to the packaging areas, according to the customer's specifications.

Longo explains the concept of direct and indirect handling: "During the process, part of the product goes directly to the packaging machines, while the rest is used to fill 1000 kg big bags. These are immediately used to feed other packaging lines that are separate from the main line."

Tecno Group Lab is an Italian company with over 50 years of experience in the sector. It has built plants all over Italy and also abroad, in countries such as Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia, Spain, France, Great Britain, and more recently, Romania, Albania, and Hungary. The company also works in the small fruit sector, maintaining strong links with the citrus fruit sector, from which it originates. In recent years, Tecno Group Lab has achieved notable success in the carrot sector, collaborating with experts and leading companies such as Fonteverde in the southeastern Sicilian region. The company's manufacturing facility, spanning 7,500 square meters within a 10,000-square-meter complex, houses state-of-the-art equipment tailored to customer specifications. The company positions itself as an industry artisan, adept at designing bespoke systems for its clients without altering the structural integrity of their warehouses.

Tecno Group Lab employs over 60 people, the majority of whom are young professionals. This is due to strategic partnerships with technical schools that facilitate the recruitment of highly motivated personnel. This strategic initiative has led to a significant generational shift, with 50-60% of the staff falling within the 19-23 age range. Since 2024, the company has also prioritized the inclusion of female staff, hiring them in various roles, including assembly, installation, and design. The company's organizational structure comprises six design engineers, while Domenico Longo oversees the commercial and administrative aspects in collaboration with his daughter, Vittoria Longo, who manages accounting, administration, and export operations. The remaining personnel are engaged in assembly, installation, and construction.

The collaboration between Fonteverde and Tecno Group Lab exemplifies the integration of technological innovation and a commitment to sustainability, leading to exceptional performance in the Italian fruit and vegetable sector. This strategic partnership opens new avenues for growth and enhances competitiveness in global markets.

For more information:
Domenico Longo
Tecno Group Lab S.r.l.
C.da Pirritino Panatano, snc
Piano Tavola-Belpasso (CT) 95032
+39 335 1024083
longodomenico71@gmail.com
info@tecnogrouplab.it
tecnogrouplab@tecnogrouplab.it
www.tecnogrouplab.it