Nearly 200 professionals from 45 countries gathered in Kehl am Rhein, Germany, for the KRONEN Customer Day 2025, a two-day in-house exhibition showcasing new processing solutions for fruit, vegetables, herbs, and salads. While the event primarily targeted the fresh-cut sector, several technologies presented hold direct relevance for fresh and chilled potato processors, especially those producing vacuum-packed, ready-to-cook, or pre-peeled potato products.

Hosted by KRONEN GmbH, a specialist in cutting, washing, drying, and packaging machinery, the event combined live demonstrations with an expert forum on hygiene management, automation, and resource efficiency. “We are delighted about the excellent response to our Customer Day 2025,” said Stephan Zillgith, Managing Director of KRONEN. “The event not only offers us the opportunity to present new technologies but also enables us to maintain our direct connection and communication with our customers and partners.”

Automation and Process Control

Among the most relevant exhibits for potato processors were KRONEN’s GS belt cutting systems, capable of precise slicing and cubing, and the K850 large-volume centrifuge, which can continuously dry up to 5,000 kg of product per hour — a feature of growing importance for potato lines that require moisture control before packaging.

Partner company iWEIGH B.V. showcased weighing and conveying technologies that deliver continuous product flow control, improving accuracy and throughput. Speaker Menno Jongsma highlighted how “continuous data logging, precise process control, and automation enable companies to improve both efficiency and precision,” adding that AI-based evaluations and machine learning for fault recognition will soon become integral to food processing efficiency.

Hygiene and Water Management

Food safety and resource efficiency — both key issues for the potato sector — were central themes. Martín Mottura of CITROSOL S.A. presented the Citrocide® wash-water disinfection system, a closed-loop solution offering continuous microbiological control with no formation of unwanted by-products. The technology, approved for organic production under EU and U.S. standards, provides a pathway for processors to reduce chemical inputs and water use while maintaining hygiene standards.

In a related session, Prof. Jörg Ehlbeck and Uta Schnabel from INP Greifswald introduced research on real-time wash-water monitoring. Their work within the SPLASH project demonstrates how continuous detection of microbiological and chemical contaminants can improve safety and traceability — a development increasingly relevant for potato processors supplying retail and foodservice channels under strict quality assurance frameworks.

Air Quality and Maintenance

Another highlight came from SMC Germany, where Björn Prinz discussed the role of clean compressed air in maintaining product safety and extending machine lifespan. Impurities such as oil and microorganisms can compromise both hygiene and efficiency, he noted, emphasizing compliance with ISO 8573-1:2010 as a benchmark for processors handling delicate or ready-to-eat products.

Continued Global Engagement

The KRONEN Customer Day also included the presentation of the annual KRONEN Awards, recognizing distributors and partners for outstanding performance: KayDee Solutions L.L.C. (UAE) received the award for Largest Single Order; Industrade (France) was named Top Revenue Performer 2024/2025; and Hans Vos of Synergy Systems B.V. (Netherlands) was recognized as Most Successful Salesperson.

As the event concluded with a networking evening and a group visit to Oktoberfest at Europa-Park Rust, participants praised its hands-on approach. “Being able to stand by the machine with my own product, see what it can do, and have all my questions answered by the on-site experts is extremely beneficial,” said Guido Schmidt of GO Hallyu GmbH, Germany.

For the potato industry, KRONEN’s technologies — especially in washing, drying, and hygiene control — underline the growing intersection between fresh-cut and chilled potato processing. As market demand increases for peeled, sliced, and ready-to-cook potato products, cross-sector solutions like those demonstrated in Kehl are becoming more valuable in modernizing and diversifying potato production lines.