Automated processing line for lettuce and leafy vegetables

Optimize your salad and leafy greens processing with this fully automated line, designed to ensure high hygiene standards while reducing labor requirements through efficient sorting, weighing, washing, and drying—ideal for scaling up production while maintaining product quality and consistency.

Processes and Prepares Leafy Vegetables and Salads

The Intelligent, Networked Processing Line from KRONEN GmbH is designed for seamless integration into food processing operations, specifically targeting the handling of leafy vegetables and salads. This fully automated system stands out with its comprehensive approach to weighing, sorting, washing, and drying, optimized for gentle processing and high product quality. Featuring dynamic weighing systems from iWEIGH and mechanical sorting by HiTec Food Systems, the line ensures consistent product flow and efficient resource usage. Applications range from bagged baby leaf mixtures to pre-washed salad kits. With a capacity of up to 2,000 kg/h, it suits large-scale industrial processing. The line is PLC-controlled and networked for remote monitoring, enhancing production efficiency with reduced manpower requirements. Constructed with stainless steel components, it meets stringent hygiene standards and facilitates easy cleaning. KRONEN provides full customization and engineering support to tailor the line to specific production needs.

Benefits

  • Maximizes productivity with high-capacity processing up to 2,000 kg/h.
  • Enhances product quality with gentle handling suitable for delicate leafy greens.
  • Minimizes labor costs through fully automated, networked operations.
  • Meets stringent hygiene standards, reducing contamination risks.
  • Offers customizable configurations tailored to diverse production needs.

General


Applications
Lettuce,Spinach,Salads,Chard,Baby leaf,Radicchio,Herbs,Vegetables,Chinese cabbage,Kale,Leafy vegetables,Mixed salads,Fruit
End products
Bagged baby leaf salad mixes,Stir-fry vegetable medleys,Packaged spinach leaves,Kale chips,Shredded iceberg lettuce,Radicchio salad blends,Pre-washed ready-to-eat salad kits,Pre-sliced fruit packs,Herb-infused salad dressings,Chinese cabbage wraps,Chopped chard servings,Fruit salad cups
Steps before
Harvesting,Sorting,Transporting,Presorting
Steps after
Packaging,Distribution,Storage,Quality Control
Input ingredients
baby leaf lettuce,mixed lettuce,leafy vegetables,spinach,chard,radicchio,Chinese cabbage,kale,sweet leaf with carrot,sweet leaf with cabbage
Output ingredients
washed salad leaves,dried salad leaves,weighed salad leaves,sorted salad leaves,washed leafy vegetables,dried leafy vegetables,weighed leafy vegetables,sorted leafy vegetables
Market info
KRONEN is known for manufacturing industrial food processing equipment, specializing in washing, cutting, peeling, and packaging machinery, recognized for innovation, high quality, and efficiency in automated food processing solutions.

Technical Specifications


Capacity
Up to 2,000 kg/h
Automation
Fully automated
Washing System
GEWA AF “Active Flume”
Drying System
K850 drying system
Conveyor Belt
PLUS inclined conveyor belt
Pre-washing Machine
GEWA XL HELICAL washing machine
Dynamic Weighing System
Flow Weigh Belt System by iWEIGH
Mechanical Sorting System
By HiTec Food Systems
Water Consumption
Reduced in GEWA AF

Operating Characteristics


Automation level
Fully automated
Batch vs. continuous operation
Continuous
Energy efficiency
High capacity with low power usage
CIP/SIP
CIP protocols for hygiene
Cleaning method
Designed for easy cleaning
Changeover time
Quick adjustment for different recipes
SMART communication
Integration with iWEIGH and HiTec systems
Process monitoring
On-device display and remote access

Material Compatibility


Density/particle size
0.5–2.5 g/cm³ / 50–1000 µm

Physical Characteristics


Feed/discharge method
Conveyor belt
Discharge method
Conveyor system

Custom Options


Control panel type
HMI / Touchscreen interface
Integration possibilities
PLC / SCADA integration
Conveyor belt design
Flexible design,with or without cleats
Inclination angles
Various options available
Belt length
Custom lengths available
Belt width
Custom widths available
Machine communication
SMART-enabled