AFS ALMOND PROCESSING PROJECT
INDUSTRY NEWS
High-capacity Alvan Blanch drying and precleaning equipment has already been delivered to the site and will be a key component of the plant ' s processing capability .
are plans for a further 500 hectares to be planted in the coming years . AFS estimate that at full maturity their 5,000 hectares of orchards will produce 17,500 tonnes , utilising the Stage 1 capacity currently being installed . The plant will have a highcapacity Alvan Blanch dryer with inline precleaner . Design is for hulling and shelling to complete in 18 weeks , with LMC , BM & M , Donaldson and Borrell equipment . An automated inshell bagging , kernel carton and bulk bag line utilising TOMRA and Satake sorters will ensure a focus on quality . Included is a refrigerated warehouse , utilising an automated guided vehicle system . Power will be from the grid , supplemented by a 4.5MW solar farm . Along with the construction project , work is being done behind the scenes to develop a marketing brand and recruit key staff to operate the processing facility and sell the crop . Mr Armstrong said the design of the new plant at Murray Downs featured a potential second stage , where capacity could be doubled to 35,000 tonnes . A significant investment is being made with Stage 1 to allow for the doubling of capacity . “ The first stage will accommodate
AFS ALMOND PROCESSING PROJECT
• Construction underway at Murray Downs , NSW site
• Will create Australia ' s sixth major almond marketing brand
• To increase indsutry hulling and shelling capacity by 17,500 tonnes
• First stage planned to be operational in April 2024
• Capacity can be doubled to 35,000 tonnes to cater for future demand
our own needs , but if there is enough industry demand for more production capacity , we will press on with stage two as soon as stage one is complete next year ,” he said . “ But we won ’ t go down that path unless we have formal hulling and shelling commitments from growers .” Mr Armstrong said he had worked closely with Almondco and Select Harvests to process the crops from their young orchards , but AFS ’ s ongoing development pushed volumes beyond what could be handled in a timely manner . “ We are very thankful for the support we have received from these companies ,” he said .
“ Part of my job now is to optimise the return on investment and that could mean building stage two if the demand is there .” The processing plant is designed on hulling and shelling for 18 weeks with standard US equipment ( LMC , BM & M screens ), Mr Armstrong said the central location of the new facility could appeal to new growers either east or west of the site . “ We would certainly be keen to hear from anyone who is in a similar boat to us and has found themselves without long-term , timely processing options ,” he said .
industry . australianalmonds . com . au
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