Interview with Angelo Benedetti of UNITEC
Italian Berry spoke with Angelo Benedetti, president of UNITEC, an international group specializing for over 100 years in the design and development of innovative solutions for the processing, grading, quality classification, and packaging of fresh fruits and vegetables, about the specific challenges of blueberry processing and the technologies developed to address them.
Unitec will be present at Macfrut (Hall B1 Stand 075) – from May 6 to 8 at the Rimini Expo Centre – and in the Berry Area, where the company will have the opportunity to showcase its innovative technological solutions and intelligent automation to industry professionals.
What is your relationship with the berry market, particularly blueberries?
In this market, Unitec has been a pioneer, applying blueberry quality and size selection in a first facility in 2013 in Chile at the request of our client Frusan. This support intervention for the company then led to a significant increase in its exports to Asian countries.
Today, more than 10 years after the first blueberry processing line, we are the leading company that, with its technological innovations, has helped many operators evolve in the processing of this precious fruit. We do this in every country where blueberries are produced.
What challenges arise in the post-harvest phases of blueberries, and how do your technologies help solve them?
Our work always begins with the analysis of the customer's real needs, considering the harvest methods, both mechanical and manual. Mechanical harvesting, in fact, results in the presence of impurities within the fruit, such as twigs, leaves, etc.
For this reason, UNITEC has developed solutions that combine reliable fruit selection with a significant reduction in labor costs. In European markets, where manual harvesting is predominant, our commitment is to provide specific responses for each of our clients' target markets.
We optimize fruit selection and classification based on a multitude of parameters, including ripeness level and shelf life, allowing them to reach long-distance markets by ensuring that only the fruits capable of withstanding that journey are shipped.
Quality is a key factor for blueberry producers. What parameters can your selection systems monitor and guarantee?
Unitec technologies can scan the entire surface of the fruit and classify each unit with precision. Regarding external quality, they analyze size, color (which determines the ripeness level), soft fruits (overripe), skin defects, dehydration, and shape.
Regarding internal quality, they can determine the Brix level, which measures sweetness, and the acidity level of each individual fruit.
Technological innovation is central to your work. Are there new features or ongoing developments in your systems for the berry sector?
Our motto is “We work for your results”. With this goal, we work to help our clients, focusing on results. We realize this mission with the support of our Research and Development Center, which continuously develops increasingly high-performing solutions for our customers.
This research center operates in close synergy with universities. In fact, Unitec’s headquarters in Lugo (RA) hosts a specialized degree program in mechatronics. This proximity ensures innovative speed in transitioning from theory to practical application.
Our work is now focused on enhancing the potential of robotics and AI, which are integrated into all our systems.
What specific machines are dedicated to blueberries?
Unitec technology handles blueberries from post-harvest to palletization through a sequence of combined technology machines.
From the reception of crates from the fields to the feeding of processing lines, each phase is designed with a constant focus on gentle handling to preserve the integrity of the fruit. For machine-harvested fruit, a flight sorting machine is installed on the lines to remove impurities, such as twigs and leaves.
Our lines also pay the utmost attention to preserving bloom, a key indicator of the freshness of the fruit, signifying its integrity and quality.
UNITEC solutions: UNIQ Blueberry is the innovative technological solution for internal quality classification, including Brix level and acidity. Blueberry Vision 3 provides external quality classification of blueberries, combining high productivity with exceptional reliability in handling this precious fruit.
For the final stage of the process, we have developed robotic palletization systems, completely eliminating the need for manual labor in this phase. Additionally, we are excited to announce a major innovation: a new packaging machine for clamshell containers, coming soon.
All our solutions, 100% Made in Italy, are designed to optimize efficiency and reduce processing costs, thanks to advanced high-definition vision systems that have been operating for years with the support of AI.
With a network of 20 operational offices worldwide, we provide continuous and specialized support to each of our customers.
Gian Basilio Nieddu
Berry AreaThis article is part of a series dedicated to Berry Area in co-operation with Macfrut 2025. This content is in support of the event which will take place May 6-8, 2025 in Rimini Expo Centre, where the Berry Area stands as a reference point for all those seeking innovative solutions for the production and marketing of berries. 👉 Learn more about the Berry Area at this link. |
