In order to make our food chain more sustainable, our companies are leveraging technology for opportunities and challenges. We are limiting waste and leading the charge in animal-friendly protein production.
Our dry rendering system reduces emissions and our knowledge of farming efficiently manages insects. We increasingly recognize importance of small-scale food production, which offers rewarding opportunities. Robotics and precision technology is utilized for sustainability and viability. Our modern machines and well-trained professionals are providing the global food processing industry. Brainport Eindhoven combines innovation capabilities and markets them globally, creating new production techniques, machines, and systems. This allows our customers to stand out, reduce production costs, and take care for the environment and society.
The CropTeq DL 10 is a one-armed robot that can cut 1000 leaves per hour with perfect accuracy, leaving minimal wounds and reducing the risk of disease. It has a continuously disinfected cutting device that prevents the spread of viruses and diseases. The robot is made of sturdy stainless steel and contains an AGV with electrical hardware, batteries, and space for additional end effectors. It is capable of autonomously driving on both pipe rails and concrete paths without human guidance, and can be powered by rechargeable batteries for sustained performance.
With the VitalFluid, plasma water (PAW) can be produced. Plasma technology and PAW have the potential to revolutionize the agriculture industry by providing a more sustainable and environmentally friendly approach to crop production. This technology can help reduce dependence on harmful chemicals and promote more environmentally friendly agricultural practices. Plasma water, lightning water, can serve as a substitute for fertilizer for various crops such as tomatoes and cucumbers. Plants grow miraculously well on this lightning water. The nitrogen in plasma activated water is thus a sustainable alternative to fertilizer.
Manufacturers in the food industry are constantly looking for innovative methods to improve the efficiency of their production lines. How can they generate more output with the same input, without compromising on quality? By integrating vision technology and advanced robotic cutting machines, this challenge can be met. Accurately removing only the unwanted black dots or rotten spots from, say, potato or carrot slices, instead of removing it completely from the production flow, results in significantly reduced waste on the production line. VDL's engineering team, in collaboration with a start-up, optimised the prototype of this machine into a versatile production line that is applicable in various sectors.
The VDL companies working in the Foodtech cluster focus on renewing and making the food chain more sustainable. We do this by, among other things, developing and producing inventive machines and systems for processing and packaging that are supplied to the global food industry, but also when it comes to machines and systems for food production itself. Will you help?
