Continental fruit processing
In the business of processing fruits – both those with stones and without – into juice (clear or cloudy) or purées, both single-strength or concentrated, getting the best market price requires production set-ups that provide consistently high quality. We’re here to help you make that happen and to ensure you the best possible juice yield from any crop. Alfa Laval fruit processing technology helps ensure you the best return on your investment, and results you can rely on – time and time again.
Unique parameters for mature markets
Processing continental fruits into juice/purée is a mature industry in which the product – both clear and cloudy juice – is a high-volume, low-margin worldwide commodity.
Consistency counts
To get the best prices in such markets, and in the face of global competition, you have to be able to turn these continental fruits into finished products of a consistently high quality, with high yields, stringent hygiene management and reduced processing costs.
Alfa Laval systems and know-how help you achieve consistently high-quality processing results, despite all the natural variations in the raw material.
Complete answers
Alfa Laval provides complete, integrated systems for processing apple and pear crops into juice. The unparalleled palette of Alfa Laval technologies includes decanter centrifuges, heat exchangers and membrane filtration equipment, as well as specialist systems and processing modules for extraction, clarification, pasteurization, stabilization and aroma recovery.
Ultrafiltration membrane systems allow you to replace traditional concentration equipment and achieve significantly better results using less energy.
Tank bottom cleaning systems enable you to prevent any carry-over of bacterial contamination as well as increasing throughput.
Going further
These systems provide a cost-effective focus on high hygiene, processing reliability and exceptionally low energy consumption. Completely enclosed Alfa Laval processing set-ups enable you to prevent oxidation and maintain tip-top hygiene.
Notable benefits include greater juice recovery and drier waste that reduces environmental impacts, as well as paving the way to additional revenue from second-grade juice.
Optimizing apple and pear processing within continental fruit operations
Apple and pear processing reflects the broader realities of mature continental fruit markets, where commodity pricing requires tight process control and high hygiene management. Despite climatic, seasonal, and transport-related variations, modern setups help producers achieve consistent clarity, texture, and flavour, ensuring stable continental juice production.
Integrated systems, such as decanters, heat exchangers, membrane technologies, and extraction modules, support dependable yields and controlled quality. Enclosed lines reduce oxidation risk and support stringent hygiene goals, while efficient energy use and drier by-products improve environmental and operational performance.
High-value berry processing for versatile production lines
Many types of berries, fresh or frozen, are processed into juices and concentrates, and their handling is similar to that of apples. This creates opportunities for flexible systems capable of managing both berry crops and other continental fruit using shared equipment. Producers use advanced fruit processing machinery to secure value from diverse berry varieties while maintaining colour, taste, and nutritional integrity.
Protecting colour, flavour, and nutrients through gentle processing
Berry processing must be continuous, fast, and gentle, minimizing thermal stress to protect pigments, antioxidants, and flavour compounds. Because many berry-based continental juice products sell at commodity prices, maintaining high yields and low energy consumption is essential. Systems with precise temperature control and efficient heat exchange help producers manage costs and maintain competitive performance.
Ensuring hygienic, compliant berry processing operations
Berry processing for cost-sensitive markets demands rigorous hygiene control across the entire line. Systems must comply with demanding global standards, including EU and U.S. FDA requirements. Effective cleaning, contamination control, and equipment design help operators produce safe, high-quality outputs with minimized downtime.
Expanding opportunities in pomegranate processing
Pomegranate is gaining commercial traction due to its health-associated properties and antioxidant richness. Demand for pomegranate juice continues to exceed supply, driving interest in processing technologies that support high-value extraction and integration into multi-fruit blends.
Maintaining colour integrity for strong consumer appeal
To align processed juice with consumer perceptions of fresh pomegranate, maintaining vibrant red colour is critical. Effective heat management and oxidation-control systems prevent browning, allowing processors to deliver attractive, high-quality juice that reflects the fruit’s natural appearance.
Gentle handling to preserve high-value characteristics
Pomegranate processing benefits from speed, consistency, and gentle treatment to preserve key sensory and nutritional attributes. With well-designed extraction and stabilization systems, producers can maximize the commercial value of their raw materials while ensuring stable, high-quality outcomes.
Stone fruit processing with focus on colour and quality retention
Peach and apricot purés are widely used as ingredients in beverages and foods. Their commercial value depends heavily on controlling colour stability, particularly managing reddish pigments and maintaining the light colour characteristic of some peach varieties. Equipment like Foodec-type decanters helps reduce oxidation, safeguarding both colour and flavour during critical stages of the process.
Improving efficiency with advanced heat-exchange technologies
Systems such as tubular heat exchangers and scraped-surface heat exchangers boost efficiency by replacing traditional configurations, lowering operating costs while improving thermal control. These systems help producers achieve stable performance and reduce energy expenditure, supporting flexible and reliable stone-fruit operations.