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      J.M. PALAU

      How TOMRA helped a historic nut processor multiply its sorting capacity and achieve exceptional quality standards

      TOMRA 4C and Nimbus BSI+ sorting systems installed at a nut processing facility, automating inspection and increasing sorting efficiency and product quality.

      Quick Facts

      • Customer: J.M. PALAU S.A.
      • Location: Tarragona, Spain
      • Industry: Nut processing and transformation
      • Solutions: TOMRA Nimbus BSI+ and TOMRA 4C

      Results at a Glance

      • Multiplication of sorting capacity: from 60 kg/h to more than 1,000 kg/h.
      • Superior final product quality: fewer than 5 pieces of foreign material per tonne in finished product.
      • Dramatic reduction in customer complaints: more than a 99% decrease in complaints related to foreign materials.
      • Minimal food waste thanks to optical reject reprocessing.
      • Greater automation: significant reduction in dependence on manual sorting.
      • Consistent quality: improved regularity and repeatability of processes, regardless of product type, variety, or origin. 

      TOMRA has enabled us to transform nut sorting from a process based primarily on experience and manual labor into one that is far more technological, precise, and repeatable.

      Jordi PalauGeneral Manager, J.M. PALAU S.A.

      The Solution: Why TOMRA?  

      When J.M. PALAU sought to increase its production capacity and improve the detection of complex defects in nuts, the company evaluated several sorting technologies. After conducting comparative trials, TOMRA clearly stood out for its performance and specialization in nut applications.

      • Advanced Technology for Complex Challenges 

        In nut processing, defects are not limited to color di erences alone. The presence of internally damaged kernels, shell fragments, foreign materials, or defects that visually resemble good product requires highly 
        sophisticated sorting technologies. Thanks to the combination of the Nimbus BSI+ and the TOMRA 4C, J.M. PALAU can detect and remove defects that were previously di cult or impossible to separate consistently at industrial processing speeds.

      • A Partnership Built on Continuous Optimization 

        The implementation went far beyond simply installing equipment. TOMRA and J.M. PALAU worked together to develop specific recipes and configurations for hazelnut, almond, and pistachio applications, adjusting sorting parameters according to the product, origin, and quality requirements of each customer.

      • Technical Support and Responsiveness 

        The company especially highlights TOMRA's fast response times and technical expertise, both of which are critical for an operation where optical sorting is a key part of production. 
      TOMRA's 4C sorting machine
      TOMRA 4C optical sorting machine inspecting nuts on a processing line, detecting defects and foreign materials to improve food quality and safety.

      The Impact: Results That Drive Growth

      1. Productivity Multiplied 

        The evolution of sorting capacity, and therefore final product output under real operating conditions, has been remarkable: 
        - Before optical sorting: approximately 60 kg/h 
        - After installing the Nimbus BSI+: 400 kg/h 
        - After adding the TOMRA 4C: more than 1,000 kg/h  
        This increase has supported the company’s growth, allowing it to expand from processing 300 tonnes per year in 2016 to more than 3,000 tonnes in 2026.

      2. Premium Food Quality and Safety

        The combination of TOMRA technologies has enabled J.M. PALAU to achieve exceptional quality standards:  
        - Fewer than 5 pieces of foreign material per tonne of finished product. 
        - Defect levels below 1%. 
        - A 99% reduction in complaints related to foreign materials. 
        These results have strengthened J.M. PALAU’s ability to serve highly demanding food industries, including chocolate, nougat, ice cream, bakery, and organic food manufacturers.  

      3. Less Waste and Better Raw Material Utilization

        Optical reject reprocessing allows food waste to be kept to a minimum, maximizing the utilization of increasingly valuable and variable raw materials. 

      4. More Consistent and Repeatable Processes

        Once sorting recipes have been optimized, operators can consistently reproduce processes with a high degree of reliability, achieving uniform quality between batches while reducing dependence on manual sorting.

      Our investment in TOMRA is part of a natural evolution: preserving the knowledge and experience of a century-old family business while using state-of-the-art technology to provide our customers with products that are increasingly safe, consistent, and controlled.

      Jordi PalauGeneral Manager, J.M. PALAU S.A.

      Ready for the Future

      After more than one hundred years of experience in the industry, J.M. PALAU believes that combining product expertise with advanced technology will be 
      essential to meeting future challenges.

      The growing variability of raw materials, stricter food safety requirements, the need to reduce waste, and the demand for complete traceability are making optical sorting increasingly strategic.

      With TOMRA solutions, J.M. PALAU is well positioned to continue delivering safe, uniform, high-quality products while further improving operational efficiency and sustainability.