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BBC Technologies has unveiled its new tray tipper for its turnkey blueberry line, which automatically delivers fruit into the KATO260 sorter.

The system was developed to improve front-of-line fruit loading into the KATO260, which BBC describes as the most refined solution for optical selection and optimisation of blueberries on the market.

It uses speed feedback from the sorter to ensure consistent supply and even distribution and, according to BBC, perfectly complements the KATO260’s design that emphasises delicate handling and product preservation by gently loading the fruit onto the processing line.

The KATO260 can accurately sort at speeds of 280 berries per minute, and carefully handles the fruit to maximise bloom retention and shelf life, the company says.

BBC Technologies is a member of the Tomra group, which provides collection and sorting systems for the food, recycling, and mining industries. The division specialises in soft, delicate fruit varieties.

Food & Drink Business

Three weeks after its official opening, the $17.14 million Central Coast Food Manufacturing Innovation Hub at Ourimbah is preparing to welcome its first tenants. Food & Drink Business toured the facility to see the production spaces, pilot plant, and training programs designed to grow the region’s $2 billion food and beverage manufacturing sector.

Reploid Group is expanding into Oceania, with the launch of a new sales company in New Zealand. Reploid builds modular plants that use insect larvae to repurpose food waste, having the potential to fill the gap left by Goterra’s collapse into voluntary administration earlier this year.

Welcome to the July edition of PLAY, your monthly wrap-up of the biggest stories shaping Australia's food and beverage manufacturing industry. This month we're looking at court action, a major take-private deal, alleged tomato provenance fraud, new leadership and investment in manufacturing capability. Let's get into it.