Macfrut Innovation Awards 2016
A virus-resistant tomato, the first "piel de sapo" mini melon, a growth regulator that can improve the colour of table grapes, ozone-based storage systems, sorting machines capable of "looking" inside fruit, innovative packaging and modular wooden displays. These are just some of the new products that received an award at the 2016 edition of the Macfrut Innovation Awards, a prize awarded by L'Informatore Agrario and Macfrut after selecting the most interesting innovations on display throughout the event. A total of 28 medals were awarded (7 gold, 9 silver and 12 bronze), as well as 9 honourable mentions to products outside of the 7 product categories listed in the Regulations.
The awards ceremony is scheduled for Friday 16 September (Macfrut Innovation Hall, 10.30am) in the presence of the President of Cesena Fiera, Renzo Piraccini, and Antonio Boschetti, Editor-in-chief of L'Informatore Agrario.
Antonio Boschetti, Editor-in-chief of L'Informatore Agrario, commented, "The Macfrut Innovation Awards reward the value of innovation in terms of functionality, use, technical design, environmental impact and product quality. The many applications are a clear sign that this sector is buzzing and focuses on innovation as a drive for growth. This year, for the first time awards were also made to some innovations concerning processed products, a segment with high added value."
Renzo Piraccini remarked, "The innovations awarded at Macfrut highlight two key aspects: the leadership of Italian companies in terms of innovation, and the sector's growing focus on environmental sustainability and consumer needs."
In fact, the innovations that are heading in this direction include: an atomiser equipped with a system that reduces the drift in plant protection treatments (M-612 Multi-Flow), a between-row weeding machine for the mechanical control of weeds (Rotosark), a system that selects blueberries according to the quality of the skin and flesh (Blueberry Vision Unitec Technology) and an electrohydraulic device for the automatic control of the correct working depth (TDC), the best soil preparation and fuel reduction. The key word remains sustainability, aimed at cutting costs and, above all, respecting the environment and wholesomeness of produce, starting with plant protection products and fertilisers (the gold medal in the 3logy category was won by the fungicide made with 3 new active ingredients - terpenes - exempt from maximum residue limits), as well as wrapping and packaging, with new packaging solutions that consume 35% less raw materials and are 100% recyclable (Sormabag). With regard to fruit and vegetable varieties, there is ongoing research into increasingly appealing products for consumers, based on colour and size, as well as consistency and versatility in cooking. Attention to flavour and food trends is found even among the honourable mentions, including gluten-free and ready-to-eat vegan products - vegetable burgers made with quinoa (Burger'Z). Special attention is also given to intolerances, for example, gluten-free products or products with no added sugar, no artificial colourings and low in calories, such as dehydrated fruit flesh and nuts (Mister Nut Wellness) and milk-free mashed potatoes. Not to mention, genuineness but also traceability: a bronze medal was awarded to an App (SiroApp) that allows a product production process to be traced through a QR code, whereas an honourable mention was awarded to the "Verdure di Romagna", seasonal vegetables of the Romagna region grown by agricultural firms specialising in environmental protection, biodiversity and the seasonality of produce harvested and packaged on the same day.
With a total of 14 awards, Emilia-Romagna was the most awarded region in Italy, followed by Lombardy (9) and Piedmont (5). In the "Facilities and equipment for protected crops" category, French companies ranked first and second, thus proving the international value of Macfrut.
All the awarded innovations are published on the website: www.ortofrutta.informatoreagrario.it
THE WINNERS OF THE 2016 MACFRUT INNOVATION AWARDS
CATEGORY 1 - SEEDS AND CULTIVARS FOR FRESH AND PROCESSED FRUIT AND VEGETABLES
Centus F1: a tomato with intermediate resistance to the Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus (Exhibition area: Hall D7 - stand 044) – Isi Sementi, Fidenza (Parma)
Pomodoro Cordobesa: a hybrid tomato that stands out for its high lycopene and anthocyanins content (Exhibition area: Hall D7 - stand 111) – Top Seeds Italia, Terracina (Latina)
Gavina: a mini seedless watermelon characterised by its distinct colour and peel thickness, much thinner than other standard mini watermelons, with an excellent flavour and sugar content (Exhibition area: Hall D5 - stand 075) – L'Orto di Eleonora, Terralba (Oristano)
Majores: the first round "piel de sapo" mini melon, with a high brix level and a 20/30-day shelf life (Exhibition area: Hall D5 - stand 075) – L'Orto di Eleonora, Terralba (Oristano)
Diamante: a small, round melon with flesh that can keep for several days without becoming too hard (Exhibition area: Hall D7 - stand 005)– Lamboseeds, Sant'Agata Bolognese (Bologna)
Roby F1: a round, purple aubergine with white and firm flesh, resistant to over ripening and oxidation even up to several hours after cutting (Exhibition area: Hall D7 - stand 167) – Vilmorin Italia, Funo (Bologna)
CATEGORY 2 – PLANT PROTECTION PRODUCTS AND FERTILISERS
3Logy: terpene-based plant protection product authorised in Italy for wine and table grapes; the product is made with 3 active natural ingredients, i.e. eugenol, geraniol and thymol, exempt from maximum residue limits (Exhibition area: Hall D7 - stand 131) – Sipcam Italia, Pero (Milan)
Ferland: an iron chelate used against iron chlorosis; it limits environmental pollution due to the reduction of organic solvents and their total recycling within the production processes (reduction of environmental impact) (Exhibition area: Hall B7 - stand 001) – Fertenia, Bellizzi (Salerno)
Excelero: abscisic acid (S-ABA) growth regulator, a natural plant-derived hormone that can improve the development of the colouring of table grapes (Exhibition area: Hall D7 - stand 067) - Sumitomo Chemical Italia, Milan
CATEGORY 3 - MACHINES AND EQUIPMENT FOR THE CULTIVATION OF FRUIT AND VEGETABLE PRODUCTS
TDC: an electro-hydraulic system that automatically controls the correct working depth of the machinery to which it is applied (Exhibition area: Hall B7 - stand 045) – Forigo – Roter Italia, Ostiglia (Mantua)
M-612 Multi-Flow: an atomizer model equipped with a system that reduces losses through drifting in plant protection treatments (Exhibition area: Hall B7 - stand 167) – Martignani, S.Agata sul Santerno (Ravenna)
MR 2.0 Compact: a 48V four-wheel electric forklift truck, with front forks and a rated capacity of 2,000kg; standard equipped with the "Super Steering Montini", i.e. rear axle steering up to 101 degrees (Exhibition area: Hall D1 - stand 068) – Montini, Cotignola (Ravenna)
Rotosark: a between-row weeding machine, applicable to in-line crops, organic and conventional vegetables, as well as extensive and cereal crops; Rotoblizz and Rotovert technology (Exhibition area: Hall D7 - stand 046) – Oliver, Agro di Salizzole (Verona)
CATEGORY 4 - FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT FOR PROTECTED CROPS
Multitech SF Meloni: plastic film ideal for covering small tunnels containing melons; covering system with inflatable double film offering optimal thermal efficiency (Exhibition area: Hall B7 - stand 071) – Europlastic, Aimargues (France)
Rivulis D1000: a dripline for open-field crops, which offers resistance to clogging and can therefore also be used in seepage irrigation (Exhibition area: Hall D7 - stand 084) – Rivulis Irrigation, Lespinasse (France)
CATEGORY 5 - MACHINES AND TECHNOLOGY FOR SELECTING AND PACKAGING
Idrolisi Gruper: a patented system for avoiding electrode degradation using a diamond coating that allows a residue-free solution to be obtained (Exhibition area: Hall D1 - stand 071) – Techno3, Saluzzo (Cuneo)
Streamer: an automatic spiral cutter designed to obtain a wide range of spiral plant products, in different shapes and sizes; continuous and uninterrupted operation (Exhibition area: Hall D3 - stand 143) – Turatti, Cavarzere (Venice)
Blueberry Vision Unitec Technology: technology able to view 100% of blueberry fruits: flesh and outer part of the berry fruit (Exhibition area: Hall B3 - stand 075) – Unitec, Lugo (Ravenna)
BRS-134: an automated packaging machine, particularly suitable for citrus fruits, designed to offer packaging warehouses the option to differentiate and increase their packaging range (Exhibition area: Hall D1 - stand 149) – Sorma Group, Cesena
CATEGORY 6 - PACKAGING AND PACKING MATERIALS
Sormabag: a pack consisting of woven mesh and shaped film, which serves both as a handle and as a graphic media; it uses 35% less material, is made of a single material and is 100% recyclable (Exhibition area: Hall D1 - stand 149) – Sorma Group, Cesena
Ilip-Amp: a flowerpot holder in recycled PET, ensuring greater resistance to handling, consistent quality and brighter colours (Exhibition area: Hall B5 - stand 075) – Ilip, Valsamoggia, Loc. Bazzano (Bologna)
Minirossa: a new type of packaging for mini watermelons; functional and practical, it is easily recognisable by consumers and is made of 100% cardboard (Exhibition area: Hall D7 - stand 005) – LamboSeeds, Sant'Agata Bolognese (Bologna)
Nuovo packaging IV gamma: innovative packaging, which, using a tag in a prominent position, enhances vegetables that are already washed (Exhibition area: Hall D5 - stand 033) – Zerbinati, Borgo San Martino (AL)
CATEGORY 7 - LOGISTICS AND SERVICES
Storage using passive refrigeration and ozone: a fruit and vegetable storage system in cells and transport containers, based on passive refrigeration and ozone (Exhibition area: Hall D3 - stand 195) – De Nora, Milan
Wood Look wood-effect display: a modular wood-effect display for the fruit and vegetable department; completely single-material (PP) and therefore recyclable (Exhibition area: Hall D5 - stand 152) – Polymer Logistics, Agrate Brianza (Monza and Brianza)
My new happy life: an idea suggested by the managers of fruit and vegetable shops or stores/retail chains, which encourages consumers not to waste unsold fruit but, rather, to find a new use for it, such as producing sorbet or ice cream (Exhibition area: Hall B3 - stand 044) – Ifi, Tavullia (PU)
SiroApp: an app, downloadable free-of-charge, which allows production process tracing using a QR Code (Exhibition area: Hall B3 - stand 070) – Siropack, Cesenatico (Forlì-Cesena)
Healthy Soil: a product that allows the detection of the residual level of weed killers present in compost (Exhibition area: Hall D7 - stand 090) – Agritalia, Villa Saviola (Mantua)
HONOURABLE MENTION
Milk-free mashed potatoes: vegan and gluten-free; a light but absolutely delicious alternative to traditional mashed potatoes (Exhibition area: Hall D5 - stand 153) – Euroverde Società Agricola, Azzano Mella (Brescia)
Dimmidisì: a line of salads in a bowl, fresh and ready to eat, designed to offer consumers a food product with many healthy ingredients (Exhibition area: Hall D5 - stand 078) – La linea verde, Manerbio (BS)
Superfrutta in Doypack: an organic fruit smoothie (120g.), without preservatives, with a resealable package and a 12-month shelf life (Exhibition area: Hall D1 - stand 199) – Natura Nuova, Bagnacavallo (Ravenna)
Mister Nut Wellness: a paste made from dehydrated and dried fruit in a single dose pack; no added sugar, no gluten, no artificial colouring, high in fibre and low in calories (Exhibition area Hall D5 - stand 001) – New Factor, Cerasolo Ausa di Coriano (RN)
Verdure di Romagna: seasonal vegetables of the Romagna area, picked and packed on the same day (Exhibition Area: HallD1 - stand 073) – Sipo, Bellaria Igea Marina (Rimini)
Linea Vitamia: a fresh-cut fruit line, based on a careful selection of raw materials from Italy and abroad (Exhibition area: Hall D5 - stand 119) – Spreafico, Milan
Burger'Z: a vegetable burger made from quinoa, with fresh vegetables, gluten-free, without soy, preservatives flavourings, glutamate or animal fats, and with only Italian extra-virgin olive oil (Exhibition area: Hall D5 - stand 033) – Zerbinati, Borgo San Martino (Alessandria)
Il nostro Bio: a new range of single-portion organic soups (Exhibition area: Hall D5 - stand 033) – Zerbinati, Borgo San Martino (Alessandria)
Le Monoporzioni: ready prepared, single-portion soups and creamy soups made with fresh vegetables (Exhibition area: Hall D5 - stand 033) – Zerbinati, Borgo San Martino (Alessandria)