The issue of standardization within the hemp and cannabis industry is not only related to the end product. Commonly accepted standards for growing still have to be outlined, but standard-related problems might arise also with regards to another aspect of the sector: that is, seeds. A number of hemp growers have lamented the fact that the seeds they buy are not consistent in terms of size, for instance. But anyway, generally speaking, there are a number of challenges associated to this first step of plants. Indeed, another element related to seeds is their production and their processing. “We saw that a substantial amount of companies carried out a lot of manual work,” Seed Processing Holland’s CEO, Mr. Arjan Kunst, says. “in other words, hemp growers have been taking seeds from their plants manually. However, when operations scale up, efficiency becomes a must. This is why some hemp growers are looking to automate their processes.”
Seed Processing Holland offers innovative solutions for each step in the seed processing. “The product portfolio consists of over 150 standard machines, divided across twelve product groups,” Arjan points out.
Unlike other crops, hemp and cannabis have specific characteristics that need to be addressed. “For instance, cannabis is a bit more sticky than other crops,” Arjan says. “All that sticky matter can be an issue, especially with regards to the cleanliness of the machines. That is why, for instance, we implemented automated cleaning, with many nozzles that keep them clean.”
Hemp/cannabis seed
Recently, Seed Processing Holland’s CEO, Mr. Arjan Kunst, and Sales Manager Nanne Lansdaal visited a number of customers active in hemp and cannabis seed processing in the Oregon region. “We already have delivered several solutions and machines within this sector and are keen on expanding our activities in hemp and cannabis seed processing. We aim to bring our 50+ years of experience in vegetable and flower seed processing into the hemp and cannabis seed market,” says Arjan Kunst.
One of the companies they visited was Zoe Therapeutics, an OLCC and ODA licensed Tier 2 grower of hemp and cannabis working with a Seed Processing Holland Seed Thresher, Air Screen Machine, Seed Air Separator and a Gravity Table. Mr. Michael Beeler (Manager of Operations at Zoe Therapeutics): “Being the most efficient system we have run to date, Seed Processing Holland’s fully automated systems resulted in less human error and greatly reduced our processing time with clean seeds as the end result.”
Seed processing line at Zoe Therapeutics
Innovation
On an annual basis, Seed Processing Holland spends more than 24,000 hours on engineering and development, which includes both upgrading existing machines as well as designing new equipment: the most recent development being a high-capacity, technologically advanced small seed counting machine. “There is plenty of room for new developments within this sector and we already see new applications for some of our existing machines,” Nanne points out. “I am looking forward to helping out more cannabis and hemp seed farmers that are looking to take their seed processing to the next level.”
Worldwide
Leading seed processing companies work with Seed Processing Holland machines. During its 50+ year history, Seed Processing Holland has supplied and installed machinery in more than 100 countries worldwide. Within the seed sector, globalization is increasing and Seed Processing Holland follows its customers wherever they go. Thanks to its service department with VCA-certified personnel, Seed Processing Holland can ensure a rapid handling of disruptions or the execution of installation work, both locally and remotely.
For more information:
Seed Processing Holland
E: nanne.lansdaal@seedprocessing.nl
P: +31 6 52 00 50 40
IG: https://www.instagram.com/seedprocessingholland/
W: seedprocessing.nl