New micro vegetable slicer increases efficiency and reduces manual labour

ZTI, in collaboration with Van der Plas Sprouts, has developed a special machine for cutting micro-vegetables. "Previously, this was all done by hand. Not only was it heavy and monotonous work, but the sprouts were never cut to exactly the same length. Moreover, we want to touch the fragile micro-vegetables as little as possible," said Eva van der Plas, general manager of Van der Plas Sprouts.

The new machine not only offers the aforementioned benefits, but also increases productivity. Van der Plas: "We now process five shelves per hour, compared to four per hour before. But before, two people were also cutting. Now the process is faster and more efficient, and with two employees less. They can now be deployed elsewhere. So the machine pays for itself."

The development of the machine was made possible by a grant from the Just Transition Fund, which ZTI received. This EU grant programme supports innovations that contribute to the energy transition and a more sustainable working and living environment.