Potatoes, apple cubes, mushrooms, fruit pieces: every transfer puts product integrity at risk. The Nautilus series hydraulic transport pump moves solids gently in water, replacing belts and elevators. Its single-channel centrifugal impeller — a single stainless steel casting in AISI 316L — allows spherical solids up to Ø 140 mm and elongated products up to 225 mm long to pass through, running at low speed to cut damage and waste. The system is completed by an AISI 316L feeding tank with flanged pump connection, recirculating water inlet and overflow, and by a level control device with automatic valves and sensors. Motorisation includes a frequency changer for speed regulation and is available in direct drive on support or indirect drive with belts and pulleys. Three sizes — 4", 6" and 8" — and an inspection cover for fast cleaning. Equally suited to hydro-cutting and blancher feeding.

Date of market introduction in Belgium (if still in development: expected date of launch)
2026

Briefly describe what is NEW. This explanation will be submitted to the expert group and will be decisive in the evaluation and selection of the most newsworthy entries. (max. textarea: 600 characters)
The Nautilus series has been renewed with a stainless steel pump housing and a redesigned impeller: the internal flow geometry has been optimized to further reduce product damage during the process. The impeller is made from a single stainless steel casting and all product-contact parts are in AISI316L, ensuring high hygiene and easy cleanability. In fact, the pump housing can be connected to a CIP system. Whole fruit, vegetables and tubers are transferred in water with a gentle action, minimizing breakages, with less waste and a higher yield.

Added value for the user (in commercial terms, user-friendliness ...)
The new configuration reduces water consumption and product damage during transfer: fewer breakages mean lower (weight) losses and therefore a higher yield from every batch processed. The user gains a twofold economic benefit: lower water and wastewater treatment costs, and less finished-product waste. The pump replaces conveyor belts and feeds the lines with a single system: less mechanics, less maintenance, a simpler layout. It is quick to clean and highly hygienic, and therefore longer-lasting.

Added value for the further sustainability and professionalization of the potato sector.
The gentler handling reduces the presence of potato particles in the transport water: the water stays cleaner, can be reused for longer and overall consumption goes down. As a result, the organic load sent to treatment is lower and wastewater processing requires less energy. Less damage also means fewer potatoes discarded, and therefore fewer resources wasted along the chain. A concrete contribution to the sustainability of potato processing lines in terms of water, energy, effluents and product waste.