The top management of Rol-Nas Sp. z.o.o., a Polish potato processing company, decided to include new, cutting-edge food processing equipment in the company’s manufacturing process in order to update it as part of its continuous dedication to innovation and sustainability.

Meeting the increasing demand for their products was difficult for Rol-Nas, as it was for many other food industry enterprises. Their current peeling line was antiquated and lacked the necessary efficiency and capacity. In addition to their restricted capacity, the earlier machines were less dependable and sustainable, which raised the likelihood of production loss, increased operating expenses, and caused frequent downtime. Furthermore, the previous technology was no longer able to provide the quality and consistency required to compete in the contemporary market.

Rol-Nas decided to install a new production line with precise inspection and an improved peeling and scraping section—two essential components—to address these problems. Following a thorough investigation and visits to several Western European machine builders, Rol-Nas finally decided to use Marcelissen’s knowledge and solutions.

Five pieces of machinery were delivered to optimize peeling, scraping, and inspection within their current production line.

The first one is the Drum Roller Peeler SKR28/3000 – this machine efficiently removes the potato skins while maintaining their round shape; the Wet Hopper with Outfeed Gooseneck Conveyor BNTZ350/400 – this system ensures a smooth, accurately dosed transition between processing steps for continuous throughput; the Drum Knife Peeler SMT1000/3000 – The knife peeler achieves an aesthetically pleasing result, extending shelf life and preserving the potatoes’ round shape due to the drum and dosed feeding system; the Wet Hopper with Outfeed Gooseneck Conveyor BNTZ350/400 – used again to provide a smooth transition and rinse off any remaining skin residue; the Roller Inspection Belt IR800/4000 – The rotating profiled rollers cause the potatoes to turn, allowing staff to inspect them thoroughly and remove any remaining irregularities before further processing.

The new line’s flawless integration with Rol-Nas’s current infrastructure is ensured by the combination of standard settings and unique solutions. The waste system, which is essential to maintaining a clean and sanitary production hall, received particular attention during the installation of the new production line. Skins and other by-products are gathered from the rubbish beneath the production line and pumped straight out of the hall. This helps to create a cleaner working environment by preventing garbage accumulation in the workspace. To prevent dirt accumulation, the control cabinet was also constructed with hygienic characteristics.

Additionally, an HMI (Human Machine Interface) system on the production line allows for remote monitoring of critical process data. This makes it possible to respond to problems quickly and provide remote support. For example, motors’ thermal safeguards can be watched to avoid overheating, which is a crucial component of predictive maintenance that reduces downtime and helps detect problems early. Depending on the type of potato and the preferred peeling method, the line is automated with various programs. With their unique login, operators may control particular settings, and the system is set up to allow workers to view only the most important data.

To ensure that the settings and speeds were properly aligned during the startup phase, Technical Director Sjoerd Treuen personally oversaw the operational release and final inspection. In addition to ensuring a seamless production line launch, this hands-on approach improves the rapport with Rol-Nas.

“Following the installation of the new machines, Rol-Nas’ production capacity significantly increased. The old, smaller peeling line simply couldn’t compete with the efficiency and speed of the new setup. With the Drum Roller Peeling Machine and the Drum Knife Peeler, Rol-Nas can now process larger quantities of potatoes in less time, all while maintaining consistently high product quality. This is crucial for meeting market demand while controlling production costs. In addition, the integration of the Water Buffer with Gooseneck Conveyor Belts and the Roller Inspection Belt has resulted in a smoother, more efficient production process. Transitions between the various processing phases are now seamless, reducing the risk of downtime and increasing throughput,” the company representatives concluded.