First Technodrives Engineering Solutions & Services is a company based in Cochin, Kerala, India. Established in 2020, the company has rapidly positioned itself as a provider of customised state-of-the-art solutions for process industries. Their operational focus is broad, encompassing key areas within the industrial sector.
First Technodrives has ventured into the fast-growing sector of potato processing through a significant collaboration with Shandong Sensitar Equipment Company. Through this partnership, First Technodrives offers a range of processing lines for various potato products. These lines include solutions for French fries, potato chips, potato flakes, and potato harsh brown lines. Sensistar technology uniqueness is noted as the latest technology for the customer at affordable cost. Sensistar processing lines are already exported globally to regions including Europe, the USA, Central Asia, and the Middle East.
The potato processing lines offered come in various capacities:
- French Fries Line: Available in capacities up to 10 tons/hour. Models are available in capacities of 1T/h, 3T/h, 5T/h, and 10T/h. The French fries line is designed according to European production standards and is equipped with advanced equipment such as Steam Peelers, Hydro Cutters, and Starch Collection Systems.
- Potato Chips Line: Available in capacities up to 1 ton per hour. Models available as 100kg/h, 300kg/h, 500kg/h, and 1000kg/h (1 ton/h). The potato chips line is equipped with vertical grinders, centrifugal slicers, and a fryer specifically designed for potato chips, aiming to produce end products with balanced quality and consistent characteristics.
- Potato Flakes Line: Available in capacities up to 2 Tons/hr. Models available are 500kg/h, 1000kg/h (1 ton/h), and 2000kg/h (2 tons/h). The potato flakes line can produce potato flakes and sweet potato flakes, marketed as Instant Potato Mash, or used as food ingredients. This line is manufactured according to European standards and equipped with components like steam peelers, hydro cutters, and drum dryers, known for durability, high efficiency, and strong product consistency.
- Potato Hash Brown Lines: Capacities are up to 10 ton per hour.
The solutions incorporate various key pieces of equipment.
- Steam Peeler: This equipment is considered the fastest and most efficient for peeling tubers, fruits, and vegetables. It consists of an elevator, weighing hopper, peeling tank, expansion tank, frame, and electronic control system. Compared to traditional methods that result in over 20% loss, steam peelers can reduce peeling loss to 4-7%, thereby significantly increasing production yield.
- Hydrocutter: This machine cuts materials into strips, slices, wedges, or other shapes using a feeding pump, feeding pipelines, and a cutting block. Its characteristics include fast cutting speed and low material loss. It allows for easy switching of cutting blocks, flexible assembly, and long-distance transportation while soaking and cleaning materials in the pipes.
- Auger Blancher: Usable in French fries, potato chips, and potato flakes lines, as well as for other vegetables and fruit. It features an external heat exchanger and a bath heating system, providing uniform and rapid heating with low noise. Material is discharged at high position with low breakage due to the Ferris wheel mechanism.
- Belt Dryer: Primarily used for drying and equalising moisture in potatoes, fruits, and vegetables, removing excess moisture and distributing it evenly for good taste and texture. The belt dryer employs a multi-zone design with independent temperature and humidity control for each zone and uses high-intensity circulating air for high efficiency.
- Drum Dryer: Described as a core equipment in the potato flakes line, this dryer continuously dries material on the internal surface of the drum through internal heat conduction. Dried material is scraped off the drum surface. The drum dryer allows for making mashed potato with desired thickness and consistency, resulting in low losses and improved product quality and output.
- IQF Machine (Individual Quick Freezing): This machine blows cold air from the bottom up, moving material through a suspended state for full contact with cold air, achieving rapid freezing and preventing material adhesion. It includes a refrigeration system, fans, conveyor belts, and control system, suitable for quick freezing of French fries, fruits, and vegetables.
- Starch Collection System: Designed for the separation and collection of free starch produced during the production of French fries, potato chips, and potato flakes. This system helps minimise environmental costs. It consists of a potato residue separator, cyclone, vacuum drum, and circulation system, operating automatically to collect high purity starch.
Process / steps typically involved in each line and provided by First Technodrives.
- French Fries Line: The process includes Destoning & washing, Steam peeling, Brush cleaning, Drum cleaning, Inspection conveyor, Hydro cutter, Silver sorter, Short strip sorter, Flirt blanching, Second blanching, Additives system, Dryer, Fryer, and IQF freezer.
- Potato Chips Line: Steps shown are Destoning & washing, Abrasive peeler, Roll inspection table, Cutter, Rinsing, Drum blancher, Drying system, Frying, Fat separator, Optical sorter, and Spice mixing.
- Potato Flakes Line: The process flow includes Destoning & washing, Blancher, Steam peeler, Cooler, Brush washer, Cooker, Inspection conveyor, Puree machine, Hydro cutter, and Drum dryer.
The company’s core operations include providing consultancy and plant layout design, offering project management services, undertaking turnkey execution of greenfield and brownfield projects, and delivering productivity improvement services for process industries. Additionally, First Technodrives assists with consultancy for the implementation of various certifications, such as ISO 9000, ISO 14000, ISO 45000, and ISO 50000. They also provide steam sterilisation solutions for the food and pharma industries, partnering with TechniGrau Solutions from France for this service.
First Technodrives operates across several sectors, including Dry Spices processing, Oleoresins – Solvent extraction, Supercritical Fluid Extraction, Animal Feed, Food Processing (Ready to Cook and Ready to Eat), Pulp & paper manufacturing, Cosmetics manufacturing, Water & Effluent Treatment, and Air pollution Control Systems. Their presence in the spices and food sectors highlights their commitment to instilling hygiene and food safety consciousness in the operations teams they work with. The company prides itself on leveraging technology for perfection.
First Technodrives has many clients, including Babbula Enterprises, Chenguang Biotech (India), Aditya Spices, Satya Impex , Puliyampatta Ayurveda, Organo Proteins, Organo Fertilizers, and Leaven Essentials.
First Technodrives Engineering Solutions & Services are located at 268/A, Onnam Mile, A.M. Road, Perumbavoor, Kerala. They can be reached via web at www.firsttechnodrives.com, phone at +919562065776, and email at anupjacob@firsttechnodrives.com.
First Technodrives Engineering Solutions & Services offers integrated, technologically advanced, and cost-effective solutions for the potato processing industry in India. Leveraging their engineering expertise and project management capabilities, they provide complete lines for French fries, potato chips, potato flakes, and harsh browns, equipped with specialised machinery designed for efficiency, high yield, and product quality. This venture complements First Technodrives’ broader portfolio of services across various process industries.
