The “pilot factory” is the name given to the processing line with which various fruit and vegetable streams can be processed into juices, concentrates, purees and fibres. Semi-finished products that can be used as ingredients in food products.

Various residual flows are released during the cultivation of fruit and vegetables, for example because it does not meet aesthetic requirements (deformed vegetables), certain parts are not used (top green part of leek) or because there is a mismatch between supply and demand. These flows are often underused for various reasons.

By processing (residual) flows into semi-finished products, the shelf life can be extended and the application possibilities increased. For example, juices can be processed in smoothies and sauces; puree in dips and meal components; and fibers as a binder or fiber enricher. In addition, it is also possible to remove certain components or ingredients, because they have a certain health effect or can be used as a natural color or seasoning.

Within this project, we work together with entrepreneurs on developing new business cases for such applications for vegetable flows and on validating and scaling up the process. The pilot plant has an open and flexible character. This means that various types of fruit and vegetables can be processed and that it is accessible to third parties.