Tackling Food Waste with Smart Automation


Food waste is a global challenge, but processors could be at the forefront of reducing avoidable losses right at the source. By transforming inefficient factory methods, food that is lost or wasted during production can be dramatically minimised.

It starts by understanding where and why food loss happens within the production process, and equipping processing lines with automation technologies that can deliver a powerful impact in minimising waste while boosting efficiency.

Deploying the right technology - is a game-changing tool for resource optimization

Extractacore® high-speed de-coring systems for lettuce, cabbage, and broccoli are designed to do just that - Maximise yield, reduce waste, and streamline operations with crop-specific automation. Available in single or twin-lane options, for effortless line integration.

Automation is all about productivity - this is a big win for the environment, business, and consumers. Saving crop volume during processing, minimises waste. Minimal waste….minimal transportation of waste. Let’s make every core count.

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Smart Automation is a win win for the environment, processors and consumers!

Let’s look at hand cut - versus - smart automation

In a typical hand cut processing facility, food loss during production can be high - with processing yields anywhere in the region of 75% - 85%

A huge percentage of good edible crop is wasted at the de-coring stage due to inconsistency.

Even on a good day, that’s a minimum of 15% of the crop that does not make it to the consumer - Food loss at source!

Wasted lettuce in a gray plastic crate in a processing facility setting.

Rapid Robotic De-Coring significantly improves processor yield, by cutting food loss at source.

Each robot de-cores 55 heads of iceberg lettuce per minute, with typical yields ranging from 94% to 97%

Smart automation ensures near-zero food loss at source, preserving everything except the core for maximum yield and efficiency.

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A large plastic bin filled with discarded lettuce cores, in an industrial processing facility setting.
Close-up of a fresh green lettuce head.

In this typical example of robotically de-cored iceberg lettuce, the entire head remains fully intact - only the core has been cleanly and precisely removed.

Extractacore Iceberg Lettuce

Equip the Line

  • Extractacore robot cell in a salad factory

    Smart De-Coring for Demanding Lines

    Our robotic cells are built from premium 304L/316L stainless steel, for uncompromising hygiene and durability.

    Designed to the highest food-grade specifications and fully compliant with industry safety standards, they deliver simplicity, strength, and precision.

    These smart machines are engineered to keep your operation clean, efficient, and ahead of the curve.

  • Extractacore infeed conveyor

    What's Inside

    Powered by iconic hygienic, humid environment robots, our de-coring systems bring longevity and reliability to your processing line.

    Equipped with advanced AI vision and intuitive HMI controls, our robotics integrate seamlessly into your operation.

    Smart automation and real-time data analytics, optimize precision and efficiency, ensuring 94%–97% yields while minimizing food waste.

    Extractacore empowers your facility with intelligent automation - helping to facilitate sustainable processing.

  • Salad factory using Extractacore de-corer

    Blazing Through Iceberg with Extractacore® Robots

    Our robots are built to dominate high-volume whole head iceberg processing, de-coring with relentless speed and precision.

    A single pallet of crates? Done in under 15 minutes. With each bot powering through 55 heads per minute, Extractacore turns pallets into perfectly processed produce in record time.

    Engineered for efficiency, our systems keep any salad processing line moving fast, maximizing yields and minimizing waste with every crate.

Achieve the Goal

  • Pallet of iceberg lettuce

    Begin with a Pallet of Iceberg ......

    Our robotic de-coring cell tackled an entire pallet of iceberg lettuce in just under 15 minutes, with only two operators.

    Running at a blazing 55 heads per minute, Extractacore maximizes throughput, delivering unmatched speed and efficiency.

    With yields hitting 94%–97%, our system ensures minimal waste and peak performance, making high-volume salad processing a breeze.

  • Extractacore waste core from a whole pallet

    Waste Core

    The Numbers Paint a Clear Picture: In a typical production run, the entire volume of waste generated from processing a full pallet is so minimal that it easily fits into a single crate, with room to spare.

    Remarkably, the usable yield from that same pallet reached an exceptional 97.2%, proving the efficiency and precision of the process.

  • Extractacore de-corer

    End Game

    Zoom in, and you’ll see: only the core is removed, with zero excess waste.

    This precision delivers exceptional product yields of 94%–97%, ensuring maximum usable lettuce flows seamlessly through the processing line.

    Built for high-volume salad facilities, our technology minimizes loss and keeps your operation lean, efficient, and ready for the next step.