IN Brief:
- Key Technology has introduced ADR X, a next-generation automatic defect removal system for wet potato strips.
- The platform combines multi-channel sensing, improved hygienic design, and faster-maintenance features.
- ADR X will be shown at interpack in Düsseldorf, 7–13 May 2026, Hall 6 / B73.
Key Technology has launched ADR X, a new automatic defect removal system designed for French fry and potato strip production lines, with a focus on improving defect detection and trimming precision in wet processing environments.
The company said ADR systems are used to identify defects on wet potato strips and trim only the affected areas, allowing processors to recover more usable product. ADR X builds on Key’s earlier ADR platforms and has been redesigned with updated sensing, hygienic architecture, and maintenance features intended to support continuous, high-capacity operation.
Key said ADR X uses multi-channel sensing with advanced LED lighting and strobing to improve identification of challenging defects, including green discolouration. The system captures multiple images of each strip under different wavelengths and combines them to improve separation between the product and background, supporting trimming decisions that target defects while preserving yield. The platform also includes a true-colour user interface intended to provide clearer visualisation for operators.
Jack Lee, Duravant group president — food sorting and handling, said: “Potato quality isn’t consistent, but processors still need consistent results. Meanwhile, the gap between variability in raw material and customer expectations for the finished product keeps widening. At the same time, hygiene requirements are greater, skilled labor is harder to find and facilities are running longer production cycles.”
On equipment design, Key said the ADR X architecture has been developed to maximise hygienic operation in wet environments by eliminating activity above the product stream, reducing flat surfaces, and integrating clean-in-place functionality. Bearings and other key components have been positioned for easier access to speed maintenance and support uptime.
The company also highlighted mechanics intended to reduce changeover time and improve repeatability. ADR X includes recipe-driven conveying and alignment mechanics that automatically adjust based on selected cut size, with lane profiles and strip positioning set through the user interface rather than manual tuning. To support precise trimming across recipe changes, the conveyor belt and cutter-wheel operate with independent drives, and the cutter-wheel automatically repositions based on cut size.
Maintenance features include endless, reinforced belts designed to reduce belt stretch over time, eliminate the need for in-field welding, and allow belt replacement to be completed up to five times faster, according to Key. Single-point adjustment mechanisms are also used for brushes and finger racks to reduce setup complexity and speed changeovers.
Key said ADR X is available as a plug-and-play system that fits within a standard shipping container to support delivery and on-site setup. For processors with existing potato strip lines, the company said ADR X can be installed as a direct replacement for previous-generation ADR 5 systems without major layout changes.
ADR X will be exhibited at interpack 2026 in Düsseldorf from 7 to 13 May, where Key is listed in Hall 6 / B73.
