When innovation is developed or technology transfer from other sectors (e.g. biomedical/pharma, space, chemical) or produce (fruit, dairy, meat, fish) is tested within a wide supply chain, like in the case of the project, it is essential to verify in which specific phase the new systems may be introduced, even before quantifying the (economic/environmental) benefits.
A schematic representation of two logistics flow processes was therefore created by CIRCOE, one for cereals and one for potatoes. The charts not only illustrate the complete process from harvest in the field to delivery at the end customer and detail all the key logistical stages, including transport, storage, packaging and final distribution. They also clearly identify where the DODILog tested technologies can be applied (blue boxes in the images underneath), supporting more effective sampling, visual inspection, and quality control.
The DODILog piloting will take place where systematic quality control checks are performed at multiple critical points: after harvest, during storage, before and after loading and during packaging. Whenever the quality of a batch is found insufficient, the load is quarantined, and depending on its condition, either redirected for reprocessing, downgraded to alternative uses (animal feed, methanisation, or other sectors), or destroyed.
In the case of potatoes, the flow also integrates calibration, cleaning, and bagging operations, while cereals follow a simplified path with a focus on silo or ground storage. Both processes emphasize controlled storage environments (ventilated cold for potatoes, silo/ambient for cereals) to preserve product quality during intermediate stages.
The flowcharts are a starting point for the development of a Business Model for crop quality optimisation/valorisation and storage/logistics enhancement for potatoes and cereals.
Circoe contacts for more info:
Muriel Andurand (m.andurand@circoe.com), Claire Bouvier (c.bouvier@circoe.com)
Flowchart for Potatoes (Circoe)
Flowchart for cereals (Circoe)
