World Map of Test Centres: Woerden
The slogan Florigo applies for the work performed within its Food Technology Center (FFTC) is: “… when Food becomes Fun!”, and starts our series of virtual tours mapping testing facilities the world over and exploring how, where and which processes can be tested.
By Catalina Mihu
The FFTC and lab are run by Florigo’s newly appointed food technologist, Arnaud Jansse, with over 15 years of expertise in product development, quality assurance, R&D, process technology and equipment manufacture. He was our virtual guide through the test centre comprising the cutting, drying, (vacuum) frying and freezing technology, four months after its launch on March 14.
The FFTC is located in Woerden, Holland, and it has a floor space of 100 sqm. “It contains a laboratory for basic measurements and determinations, an office workspace, several pilot-scale machines and additional facilities,” Arnaud Jansse told us. The centre also exclusively provides and shares several new and innovative technologies with testing visitors.
Fun with Food
The facilities can be customized on demand, if needed, he explained.
PB: What type of companies are the main beneficiaries of the centre?
AJ: Internally, the FFTC is used for testing and determination of process parameters for Florigo Engineering. Externally, our main focus is on innovative companies that are developing snack products or new processing techniques. We also seek cooperation with (European) scientific institutes, universities and high schools, for the mutual benefits of researching and developing technologies and processes, ranging from processing optimization to food safety, and health issues concerning potato and snack products.
PB: What are the operations currently running by request?
AJ:
- Development of French fries processing using sweet potato as a raw material,
- Development of chip processing using cassava as a raw material,
- Application of new technologies combined with vacuum frying technology,
- De-fatting applications for French fries, chips and snacks
Read the whole story in Potato Business Digital – the summer issue, out soon, for more on the first and current tests, who can use the facility for testing and how, step by step.
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