Patatas Meléndez, a dominant force in Spain’s potato industry, has set an ambitious goal: to become Europe’s leading potato supplier. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, the company has transformed its Medina del Campo facility into a fully automated, data-driven operation. The result? Unmatched efficiency, superior product quality, and a model for sustainable agriculture.
Project Overview: A Leap into Smart Agriculture
To achieve this vision, Patatas Meléndez collaborated with Wyma, a leader in post-harvest solutions. The partnership delivered:
- A custom-designed wash and packing line tailored for high efficiency and gentle product handling.
- AI-driven optical sorting for precision grading.
- Smart automation reducing labor dependency while enhancing traceability.
- Sustainable resource use, including a 30% reduction in water consumption and 17% lower energy use.
Key Outcomes: Efficiency Meets Sustainability
The impact of this digital transformation is profound:
- Packaging capacity doubled (from 65 to 130 pallets/hour).
- 30% less water waste due to advanced recycling systems.
- Reduced handling damage, improving product quality.
- Real-time data analytics optimizing supply chain decisions.
- Improved worker safety with fewer manual processes.
The Challenge: Modernizing a Traditional Industry
Potato processing has long relied on manual labor and fragmented systems. Patatas Meléndez sought to break this mold by integrating automation, AI, and IoT—reducing costs while maintaining premium quality.
The Solution: A Fully Automated, Data-Driven Facility
Wyma’s turnkey solution included:
- Gentle handling systems (water channels, soft conveyors).
- AI-powered optical sorting for defect detection and quality control.
- Smart packaging and palletizing with full traceability.
- Predictive maintenance to minimize downtime.
Why Wyma? Trust in Technology and Expertise
Javier Meléndez, CEO of Patatas Meléndez, emphasized:
“We chose Wyma not just for their machinery, but for their end-to-end support—from design to after-sales service.”
A New Benchmark for Global Agriculture
Today, Patatas Meléndez operates one of the most advanced potato processing plants in the world, featuring:
- 14 packaging lines
- 2 fully automated washing systems
- AI integration for real-time quality monitoring
Francisco Javier Pérez, Engineering Director, stated:
“This is the most efficient potato facility globally—Wyma made it possible.”
The Future: Expansion and Innovation
With plans to expand into Northern Europe and Asia, Patatas Meléndez continues to push boundaries. The success of this project proves that digital transformation in agriculture is not just possible—it’s essential for competitiveness and sustainability.
The Patatas Meléndez-Wyma collaboration showcases how smart technology, automation, and sustainability can revolutionize post-harvest handling. As global food demand rises, such innovations will be critical in ensuring efficiency, quality, and environmental responsibility.
