Ecofrost NV - A story full of enthusiasm!

Ecofrost NV is a young Belgian Company, situated in Peruwelz who specialise in frozen potato products, mainly deep-frozen fries.

Ecofrost NV was founded by Pol and Dries Vervaeke along with Luc and Marc Hoflack. Both families have gained enough experience in the industry to provide a perfect synergy. Since the company's foundation in 2003 they have delivered products to more than 90 countries making them a truly global player.

Starting in a turbulent period

In a period that nobody believed in expansion, Ecofrost decided to start a factory producing frozen French fries adding 6.000 kg/hr. At the end of 2001 they decided to select Kiremko to execute this major project. The start up was in 2002 and Ecofrost were so successful that they added a larger second line. The intention was to have sufficient capacity to produce speciality products like dices, slices and crinkle cut fries as well as French fries.

In one hour 10.000 kg frozen French fries

A complete new hall was built for the new production line. As the first line was such a success in producing French fries with a high quality in the most economical way using a limited number of staff, the second line was designed in the same way but with a larger capacity, of 10.000 kg/hr.

More choices due to larger capacity

The first line is a dedicated line, easy to operate. For the second line the same formula was applied. However there was room for improvement in the cutting and sorting section to optimise efficiency in line yield but still keep the simplicity of this section. The new line has the latest STRATA® steam peeler in combination with the valued dry-brush machine, size dedicated double hydro cutters with automatic switch-over systems in combination with a potato size grader, 2.400 mm wide Visionairs®, the widest optical sorting machines available in the world, equipped with a yield optimizing defect return system. All product pump systems, the hydro cutters, process water and water circulation pumps are in stainless steel meeting the latest quality standard, resulting in less maintenance.
 

Ecofrost multhead weighers

The distribution system to the packing department combines the first line with the new line. In total 16.000 kg/hr,frozen product can be sent to the weighers and bag makers. Although the lines are fully separated, the system is designed to allow the selection of a flexible number of bag makers per line, depending on the type of product and required bag size. This results in total flexibility from the packing machines.
Also length graders in the distribution system create the possibility to pack an A and B grade product simultaneously on each line.

Ready for the future?

Although you would think that the expansion of the production capacity would give Ecofrost plenty of space to grow into in the coming years, the lines already run at full capacity and their success is destined to continue!