Periodic Reporting for period 2 - EVOOLUTION (Extra Virgin Olive Oil - Advanced Sorting Solution)
Reporting period: 2019-06-01 to 2020-12-31
EVOOLUTION is a specialized sorting solution conceived and designed by Multiscan Technologies to tackle the specific needs of the olive oil sector, which lacks the capability for an efficient classification of olives before processing in the mill. On one hand, the presence of spoiled or defective olives can negatively impact the quality of the oil; if the resulting oil cannot be categorised as “extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)”, its market value is then highly reduced and generate enormous losses. On the other hand, current trends in the olive oil production sector, like super intensive groves and mechanical harvesting, make the need of a sorting technology more necessary. In addition, industrial olive oil production relies on continuous processing at extremely high throughputs. All these aspects are very challenging requirements to achieve an effective selection of the incoming fruit to the mill.
We are addressing the challenges of the olive oil sector with EVOOLUTION, an advanced sorting solution that makes use of state-of-the-art machine vision technologies for efficiently removing unwanted olives and material before entering the milling process. Olive oil producers will assure that only high-quality olives are used, resulting in high-quality oils with higher market value.
We have worked along 5 prototypes, including 2 industrial (commercial) units, and fully accomplished all project goals. We have achieved very high sorting efficiencies for the most complicated olive defects around the world and made possible a very accurate sorting by maturity index. Technology is fully developed and pending for patent protection. EVOOLUTION has reached market readiness, making Multiscan take a gigantic technological and commercial leap within a sector, olive oil, valued at 6,000 M€.
We are addressing the challenges of the olive oil sector with EVOOLUTION, an advanced sorting solution that makes use of state-of-the-art machine vision technologies for efficiently removing unwanted olives and material before entering the milling process. Olive oil producers will assure that only high-quality olives are used, resulting in high-quality oils with higher market value.
We have worked along 5 prototypes, including 2 industrial (commercial) units, and fully accomplished all project goals. We have achieved very high sorting efficiencies for the most complicated olive defects around the world and made possible a very accurate sorting by maturity index. Technology is fully developed and pending for patent protection. EVOOLUTION has reached market readiness, making Multiscan take a gigantic technological and commercial leap within a sector, olive oil, valued at 6,000 M€.
The second reporting period has had a duration of 19 months (total duration of the project: 31 months).
After its initial testing, Prototype 1 was updated with a new air ejection system and analytical methods to create a prototype 1-BIS. This update was the fastest and most efficient way to achieve scheduled testing in the southern hemisphere during the project duration. Parallelly, prototype 2 was built with an enhanced vision system and was successfully tested in Spain. This testing phase was very useful to assess the efficiency of the upgrades prior to the launch of the commercial version: the industrial unit. Two industrial prototypes were manufactured to carry out validation tests during the season in Spain and Portugal to gain enough know-how in different kinds of cultivars (super intensive, traditional) and requirements.
The first industrial unit was installed in the receiving line of our Spanish tester, to be validated under real conditions during the harvesting and processing season. An additional second unit was assembled and installed in Portugal, where high impact of anthracnose was being detected in this 2020 season. Both units became highly successful, achieving efficiencies in the sorting of specific defects well above target (> 90%), and with a perfect matching of maturity index measurement and classification. Chemical and organoleptic analysis of the olive oils produced after sorting proved the potential to modulate the production of different profile olive oils from the same incoming product, and obtain a higher amount of high-quality EVOO. Users will be able to customize their olive oil production.
Multiscan facilities, production line and processes were prepared to industrialize the manufacturing of EVOOLUTION, along with the generation of all required supporting material and documentation, including users’. Post-sales service has been prepared, including a remote assistance service to support the users with instant, on-line adjustments if necessary.
We have achieved CE marking and comply with ISO regulation for all machinery and electrical parts. After an external risk evaluation, all necessary measures to avoid the detected risks have been taken.
We have submitted a patent request for some new technology employed in EVOOLUTION, with a foreseen resolution during 2022.
At pre-commercial level, Multiscan team focused in introducing EVOOLUTION to important olive oil producers all around the world. During this second reporting period we have radically adapted our diss&comm activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions by reinforcing our digital and verbal communication channels. We have created two videos to introduce EVOOLUTION to the big market, and generated extensive supporting visual documentation (videos, pictures) to resolve specific concerns of prospective clients regarding technology, installation, and servicing.
After its initial testing, Prototype 1 was updated with a new air ejection system and analytical methods to create a prototype 1-BIS. This update was the fastest and most efficient way to achieve scheduled testing in the southern hemisphere during the project duration. Parallelly, prototype 2 was built with an enhanced vision system and was successfully tested in Spain. This testing phase was very useful to assess the efficiency of the upgrades prior to the launch of the commercial version: the industrial unit. Two industrial prototypes were manufactured to carry out validation tests during the season in Spain and Portugal to gain enough know-how in different kinds of cultivars (super intensive, traditional) and requirements.
The first industrial unit was installed in the receiving line of our Spanish tester, to be validated under real conditions during the harvesting and processing season. An additional second unit was assembled and installed in Portugal, where high impact of anthracnose was being detected in this 2020 season. Both units became highly successful, achieving efficiencies in the sorting of specific defects well above target (> 90%), and with a perfect matching of maturity index measurement and classification. Chemical and organoleptic analysis of the olive oils produced after sorting proved the potential to modulate the production of different profile olive oils from the same incoming product, and obtain a higher amount of high-quality EVOO. Users will be able to customize their olive oil production.
Multiscan facilities, production line and processes were prepared to industrialize the manufacturing of EVOOLUTION, along with the generation of all required supporting material and documentation, including users’. Post-sales service has been prepared, including a remote assistance service to support the users with instant, on-line adjustments if necessary.
We have achieved CE marking and comply with ISO regulation for all machinery and electrical parts. After an external risk evaluation, all necessary measures to avoid the detected risks have been taken.
We have submitted a patent request for some new technology employed in EVOOLUTION, with a foreseen resolution during 2022.
At pre-commercial level, Multiscan team focused in introducing EVOOLUTION to important olive oil producers all around the world. During this second reporting period we have radically adapted our diss&comm activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions by reinforcing our digital and verbal communication channels. We have created two videos to introduce EVOOLUTION to the big market, and generated extensive supporting visual documentation (videos, pictures) to resolve specific concerns of prospective clients regarding technology, installation, and servicing.
Olive oil has scientifically proven health benefits, leading to a proliferation of premium and high-quality products and brands, specifically in the Extra Virgin Olive Oil category. As stated before, the global olive oil sector is valued at 6,000M€. The European Union leads this industry, being responsible for more than 70% of the global olive oil production. Olive oil is crucial in economies of many EU regions along the Mediterranean basin, and part of their cultural heritage.
In terms of employment and socio-economic impact, EVOOLUTION will be responsible for the direct and indirect creation of job positions in sectors with long-term opportunities, such as technology applied to the agri-food sector. It is expected that EVOOLUTION will result in cumulative profits reaching 22 M€ and the direct creation of 12 new job positions in Multiscan during the first 3 years of commercialisation.
In terms of employment and socio-economic impact, EVOOLUTION will be responsible for the direct and indirect creation of job positions in sectors with long-term opportunities, such as technology applied to the agri-food sector. It is expected that EVOOLUTION will result in cumulative profits reaching 22 M€ and the direct creation of 12 new job positions in Multiscan during the first 3 years of commercialisation.