Base de données des projets PDR

A large agri-food business in Spain has used EAFRD co-financing as part of a major investment programme to upgrade its processing facilities and create new job opportunities for the local community.

The enterprise COLEFRUSE INTERNATIONAL S.A. and main beneficiary of the project, is located in San Juan de Alicante and carries out the selection, processing and industrial packaging of almonds. Rural businesses are often aware that they receive a much smaller portion of their products final retail price than those further up the supply chain. Capturing more of this farm-to-retail price spread, is a goal of many producers and 'value -added' products offer a mechanism to increase rural incomes.

The objective of the investment is the installation of a new industrial plant for the blanching and processing of almonds. The plant will incorporate the latest technologies in order to achieve highest quality in the final product, with optimal hygiene conditions, environmental awareness, and responding to increasing market demand. Other added-value products will be developed such as turrón (a Spanish almond-based sweet) and ice-cream.

Activities are: the installation of a new industrial plant for the blanching and processing of almonds; new mechanised sorting and roasting facilities; new vacuum packaging technology to improve packaging and increase accessibility of product by consumers; more on-site warehouse space for storage of the product (providing flexibility in terms of distribution times). Furthermore, the co-funding will support waste management systems, water treatment and reduction of environmental impacts.

Main results are: increased competitiveness and profitability of the industrial plant through integration of the latest technology in new machinery and equipment; improved end product and additional value-added products through facilities financed; improvement of food safety; contribution to regional development by generating wealth through direct employment creation - 47 jobs were created, 70% for women. The benefits in turn sustain demand for almonds from Spanish farmers.

Responding to increased demand through improved capacity while at the same time ensuring this is done with the latest technology; learning to combine technological innovations that integrate efficiency in production with processing with a view to sustaining environmental protection. This project has high transferability potential both to other regions and other industries.

Castilla-La-Mancha / Caudete, Albacete

Castilla la Mancha

Castilla-la-Mancha

23 448 241

2 836 749

797 836 (national) and 797 836 (regional)

19 015 820

https://www.colefruse.es

Parque Tecnológico Empresarial de Caudete

info@colefruseinternacional.com

+34 965 826711

Spanish