From November 2021 to November 2022 we’ve covered the launches of many innovative new plant products hitting the market—472 articles to be exact. All of us at FE wanted to look back at these products to find the top 10 most impressive and eye-catching machines, energy solutions, AI technology and more. This list was created by compiling all 472 articles and comparing web views to find which ones were worthy of such a title. In a sense, you, the reader, have helped create this list by your interest in these products and companies. Without further ado, here are the top 10 new plant products of 2022.
#10
Yaskawa America, Inc.
Industrial Fan & Pump Drive
The FP605, an easy to install and configure industrial fan and pump drive, is to reduce energy use, including centrifugal compressors, fans, pumps and process control. It builds on the success of its predecessor, the P1000 AC drive. This model’s portfolio Includes:
- IP20/UL Type 1: 3 to 60 HP @ 240 V; 3 to 125 HP @ 480 V
- IP20/Protected Chassis: 75 to 150 HP @ 240 V; 150 to 600 HP @ 480 V
- IP55/UL Type 12: 3 to 40HP @ 240 V; 3 to 100 HP @ 480 V
- IP55/UL Type 12 with Switch: 3 to 40 HP @ 240 V; 3 to 75 HP @ 480 V
#9
Provisur Technologies
Soft Tissue Separator
Provisur’s soft tissue separator (STS) is designed for the clean separation of components in products such as fruit and vegetables. In addition, it is also suitable for depacking. Equipped with Frequency Control, its control system, the STS regulates process speed and matches it to other upstream or downstream line components. The unit features a contemporary, hygienic design with a removable or replaceable belt, thus enabling quick and easy cleaning and maintenance. The STS can be used as a standalone machine or integrated into a line. With capacities ranging from 500 kg/h to 3.6 t/h.
#8
JBT Corporation
SuperStatic Retort System
Designed to sterilize an array of food and beverage products, the SuperStatic Retort is equipped with enhanced heating and cooling technology to ensure uniform and efficient thermal processing of shelfstable products. Customers also benefit from steam and water savings, while maximizing product throughput with the SuperStatic Retort’s unique features, the company says. Initial tests of the technology reportedly showed come up time reductions of up to 30% and cooling time reduction of up to 34% for convective products.
#7
Simco-Ion
Sensor Priority—V7.5 Control Station
The company released the Control Station V7.5, now allowing for Sensor Priority. The IQ Power HL Sensor offers real time static measurements in Class 1, Div. 1 hazardous environments. The HL Sensor can operate with an IQ Neutralizer in closed-loop feedback mode or as a stand-alone static monitoring system. A secure digital communication and a unique data verifying algorithm is designed to build on the device calibration to deliver accurate, repeatable and reliable information and thereby avoid measurement error and costly false alarms.
#6
Sunkist Research & Technology Services
Citrus Fruit Sorter
The Sunsortai uses a proprietary imaging system (Google AI technology) to automatically identify fruit characteristics such as size, shape, weight, blemishes and even decay that might not be visible to the naked eye. Be it citrus greening, oleocellosis or citrus cankers, the sorter can be trained to recognize the blemishes and defects that matter the most to each packer's operation. Through repetition, the sorter learns to distinguish a defect's appearance. The machines can be customized to serve to each facility's individual needs and it will readily adapt to existing conveying systems.
#5
Powder Process-Solutions
Powder Mixing & Blending Systems
PPS offers continuous and batch mixing and blending systems focused on consistency and repeatability. PPS engineers analyze material and powder properties to determine optimal blend time, batch volume and rotor design that provide a consistently homogenous blend and high throughputs. The company will also evaluate product degradation, heat build-up and other potential concerns. PPS’s experience with upstream and downstream process requirements, and rigorous sanitation standards, enable them to properly select and integrate the necessary equipment in new or existing designs.
#4
JBT Corporation
Energy Recovery Steam Water Spray Retort system
Designed to seamlessly integrate into new and existing JBT Steam Water Spray (SWS) retort systems, the updated ERS technology, SWS customers benefit from additional cost savings and up to a reported 30% energy savings, without extending their thermal process cycles. Using hot and cold-water tanks that transfer energy between the come-up and cooling portions of the retort’s thermal process, the ERS extracts energy during the cooling phase. This energy is then utilized for heating during the come-up phase.
#3
Hydract & Freudenberg Sealing Technologies
Water-Hydraulic Process Valves
Hyract and Fruedenber’s three sealing solutions are design to be fully functional over a long service-life. They are designed to offer resistance to extreme pressures, meet hygienic design standards and have properties for use in the beverage industry. With a tailored hygienic design, all three seals offer high-pressure resistance from +5-°C to +140-°C, pressure resistance from 0 to 10 bar and a long service life. The materials used have received the relevant approvals and were subjected to the conformity tests according to EG (Reg.) 1935/2004, EU (Reg.) 10/2011, FDA and 3-A Sanitary Standards.
#2
SPX FLOW Inc.
Aseptic Rapid Recovery System
The product is intended to offer dairy and plant-based processors a sustainable way to increase productivity, reduce waste and provide greater product. SPX FLOW's new recovery system aims to save more high-value product through a quicker cleaning process. It can also be used for other high-viscosity products, including creams, cosmetics and nutraceuticals. The Aseptic Rapid Recovery System is designed to clear product from process pipes in a more sustainable way—using approximately 60% to 70% less water compared to other cleaning systems.
#1
Armstrong International
Batteryless Strap Monitors
Along with Everactive, the company supports decarbonization with wireless technology that harvests its own energy, significantly reducing wasted energy and excess emissions. Everactive monitors require no batteries so there is no maintenance to replace them. They work with all makes and models of steam traps and connect directly to the company’s SAGE management system to deliver real-time insight into a company's entire steam trap population. By receiving alerts of trap failures as they occur, technicians are able to repair or replace failing traps before they create serious steam system issues.
