Flexible paper-pot machine from Techmek

At the Growtech Eurasia, Techmek was present with the I-Pot-Pro paper pot producer; and automatic machine for the production of peat cylinders rolled up in biodegradable paper. The major feature of the machine is it flexibility; currently it is the only paper pot producer on the market in the range of 5000 to 15000 paper pots per hour that can can be changed to another plug or tray in 15 to 30 minutes.

Aldo Maggion of Techmek with the I-pot-pro paper pot producer at the Growtech Eurasia last month.

According to Aldo Maggion, manager of Techmek “The actual speed of the I-Pot-Pro depends on the diameter of the pot. The machine can produce pots with a diameter from 14 to 60 mm. With a diameter of 20 to 25 millimetres the machine can fill trays with 15,000 pots an hour. The machine is capable to process pots up to a diameter of 60 millimetres. Then the process is a little bit slower, about 8,000 to 10,000 pots per hour.”

This is the part of the machine that contributes to the flexibility; all parts can be easily adjusted for another diameter plug. On the picture black paper is used for the pots, but this can also be white paper. Maggion told us that some growers achieved good results with black paper as it attracts more gradation.

Techmek was present at the Growtech Eurasia with the paper pot machine because of the fact that the Turkish greenhouse horticulture industry has been developing really fast in the last few years. That means there’s a growing need for automation and more growers are investing in high tech equipment.

This saw at the end of the process cuts the paper pot at the right size before the pots are placed in the trays.

"Automation at Turkish youngplant nurseries is a trend, especially with the use of paper pots", said Maggion. Many young plant growers are grafting, and transplanting with the help of paper pots. "By using paper pots the growers have the advantage of the plants being handled better, without affecting the quality of the plant. Besides this the plant grows faster and you’re quicker to the point of selling the young plants. This is very useful, because many growers ask for the young plants in the same period, so the faster the process the better. Thanks to the flexibility of the I-pot-pro, the nurseries can easily switch to a different size or specification, so they are able to meet the large, customer specific demands they experience in the peak season without any problems."

For more information:
Techmek
aldo.maggion@techmek.it
www.techmek.com