April 2021 - 22

GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES
Belgium invests in new
pilot-scale frying line
By Melanie Epp
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
B
elgian companies will soon have
access to a new pilot frying line
to test production methods for
fries. Ghent University in Kortrijk in
the region of West Flanders has been
awarded a €700,000 (approximately
$830,000) investment to install a pilot
frying line, taking the current testing
facility from lab to industrial scale.
The Belgian Fries Pilot is an extension
of the VEG-i-TEC living lab. It has a
pilot line for the coating, baking and
degreasing of potato products, as well
as for oil recovery. The new installation
will make it possible to test out new
techniques, including the results of
using a new shortening.
In 1990, 500,000 tons of potatoes
were processed in Belgium. In 2019, this
number increased to 5.3 million tons
with a turnover of €2.5 billion. Industry
leaders feel innovation is important if
Flanders and Belgium wish to remain a
leader in potato processing.
" Our fries and other potato products
are world-renowned, " said Hilde Crevits,
Flemish Minister for Innovation,
" The fact that our potato processing has increased
tenfold since 1990 only shows its importance for
our economy. "
- Hilde Crevits, Flemish Minister for Innovation,
Economy and Agriculture.
Economy and Agriculture. " The fact
that our potato processing has increased
tenfold since 1990 only shows its
importance for our economy. "
Crevits offered €138,620 in financial
support for the project. EU subsidies
(€277,240) and private donations
(€285,860) will provide the remaining
funding.
Mark Andries, Administrator General
of the Flemish Agency for Innovation
and Entrepreneurship (VLAIO),
emphasized the importance of the
project to the Flemish economy.
" Potato cultivation and all associated
processing processes represent an
important segment in the food
industry, " he said. " Companies active
in this sector must be stimulated to
innovate and this can be done through
this pilot line. "
As a spearhead cluster, Flanders'
FOOD is also particularly well placed
to reach these companies. As a platform
that
helps
facilitate
innovation,
Flanders' FOOD aims to develop a more
competitive, innovative and sustainable
agrifood industry in Flanders.
Inge Arents, Flanders' FOOD
Managing Director, said allowing
companies to take the step from
theoretical to lab, and from lab to
industrial scale testing is crucial.
" We want small businesses to be able to
practice more: try more different recipes
and test more processes than they would
dare on their own lines, " she said.
Companies such as Vandemoortele
also are very interested in using the
22
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pilot infrastructure to test new oils and
fats, said Arents.
The Belgian Fries Pilot focuses on
research using Industry 4.0, including
data collection with inline sensors and
more efficient energy use. The flexible
frying line will be used to season,
coat, bread and deep fry potatoes
and vegetables, as well as meat and
fish. As part of the VEG-i-TEC line at
Ghent University, the frying line will
be a strong addition to the already
established washing, blanching and
freezing lines.
The frying line will be fully operational
by the end of 2022. It will be open for use
for both free and independent research
together with knowledge institutions
and for company-specific projects both
in Belgium and abroad.
Co-creation through collaboration
between knowledge institutions,
companies
and
other
stakeholders
with consumer feedback will lead to
innovative potato products and potato
processing processes.
" Continuing to innovate is the key to
a successful future for our companies
and by extension the entire potato
chain, " said Romain Cools, Secretary
General of Belgapom, the union for the
Belgian potato trade and processing
industry.
" A new pilot-scale frying line will
make Belgian fries and croquettes
even tastier and healthier in the
future, and make their production
more sustainable, and will serve our
companies, " said Cools.
http://www.Spudman.com
April 2021

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