Eco -friendly production brings savings

By Matej Žvokljem, Fructal Technical Director, we – with the upcoming 80th anniversary of Fructal – talked about the involvement of the company in the local environment, purchases of fruit with local manufacturers, technological innovations and reducing energy consumption and automating production. Fructal is part of the Serbian group Nectar.

Slovenia was recently plagued by frost. Is the base where Fructal buy fruit affected?

The frost has been affected differently by fruit growers in different places. In Fructal, we buy fruit from all over Slovenia, so our partners have also suffered different damage. Much depends on the microlocation of the orchard and some have managed to protect the crop by wiring.

How much fruit Fructal redeem? What?

Fructal is one of the largest ransom of fruit in Slovenia. We buy peaches, Vipava peaches, apples, pears and pears from fruit growers from all over the country, which we use in our products. In 2024, Fructal purchased more than 1676 tonnes of Slovenian fruit from Slovenian farmers. Of these, 1530 tonnes of homemade apples, 20.5 tons of pears, 87 tons of pears William, 31 tons of peaches and eight tons of bio Vipava peaches.

For this purpose, we have made a special series of Fructal Superior Superior Slovenian fruit in the company a long time ago. Throughout the decades, on the basis of our own development, we have developed a number of new products that are increasingly based on compliance with sustainable principles.

We procure the remaining fruit where the quality is appropriate. For example, oranges are purchased mainly in Brazil and Italy as most industries. In recent years, farmers have been facing weather problems and fruit production is very unpredictable all over the world, including Slovenia. We adapt to this.

Do Fructal partners renew orchards? Are they satisfied with working with Fructal?

In Fructal, almost since its foundation, we have been closely cooperating with fruit growers in the local environment (Ajdovščina area, Vipava Valley …) and elsewhere in Slovenia. We buy from local fruit growers and farmers, so to speak, all apples, pears and peaches available in sufficient quantities. Years ago, the support of the local environment also proved to be co -financed by planting or planting. Renovation of peach plantations in the Vipava Valley, but unfortunately in recent years, it has been not invested in the restoration of peach plantations. the plantations are shrinking.

In support of local production, we introduced products from Vipava peaches and other Slovenian fruits, while also providing fruit growers a higher purchase price. However, this is clearly not enough for farmers to decide to increase their production, and I think that agricultural policy in Slovenia should more strategically approach the problem.

Fructal invests in production. How much?

In Fructal, we remain true to local production, as we are very aware of the key benefits that Slovenian origin for consumers presents not only in Slovenia but also in foreign markets. Product development is driven by Slovenian knowledge and experience with which for the eighth decade has been created innovative and quality fruit products. Over the past decades, we have provided more investments in updates and improvements in our production facilities. Today we are proud that our production processes are among the most modern and cost -effective, and are also sustainable.

As the first in our country, we, together with our partners, introduced recycling of plastic packaging, as early as 2015, and provided control over the entire recycling circle. In 2020, we introduced plant packaging, which further reduces the environmental burden. In 2024, however, we started an investment in increasing production capacity worth seven million euros.

What technological innovations have you introduced? What are you going to gain?

The key acquisitions of the latest investment cycle are: a new tetrapak line that allows the use of packaging made of renewable materials made on the basis of sugar cane. With this update, the CO₂ emissions in the production of packaging are reduced by 52 percent, and Fructal Superior products obtain the Carbon Verified label, with 87 percent of the materials originating from renewable sources. Then a new PoCH packaging line, which is the first of its kind in Slovenia. It enables the production of innovative products such as Fruit to Go, and various baby foods and brings more energy -efficient pasteurization and automation of key production processes. With a new line, we will double current capacities and create opportunities to cooperate with other brands. With the introduction of this technology, we are planning to introduce many new products in the PoCH packaging in different categories – in addition to products for children and adolescents, for other target groups. The value of the investment is € 1.5 million, we are already setting the line, the production on it is expected to start in mid -June 2025. The line enables automation of charging and packaging processes, which is an important technological step forward. Modernization of Tetratak lines and five includes new aseptic thin and pasteurizers that provide a better, more energy efficient and environmentally friendly production. The annual savings due to these improvements are around € 300,000.

There is no innovation. Do you have anything to do in the plan?

Fructal invests in technological equipment. Photos by Simon Koleznik

In particular, we plan several innovative products on the new filling line in flexible PoCH packaging.

Is the new technological equipment more sustainable?

Sustainable orientation is an important part of Fructal’s business, so for many years we have paid special attention to recycling packaging, reusing and establishing systems of returning packaging. We also strive to ensure effective measures to reduce the risk and manage environmental impacts. consequences.

Does fructal have ambitions in the field of solar energy?

Not only do we have ambitions in this area, but we have already realized some plans. As mentioned above, Fructal is also investing in improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon footprint. In addition to recycling and using plant -based packaging, this is enabled to invest in increasing the proportion of renewable energy sources and rationalization of the consumption of electricity and heat. The new 606 kWP photovoltaic power plant, which was erected last year, will produce about 650 megawatt hours of green energy annually, which is about 13 percent of our annual electricity needs. Soon, however, we are planning to set up an even larger 800 -kilowatt photovoltaic power plant, which will increase the proportion of renewable sources on a third of the total of Fructal’s electricity needs. The estimated investment is over € 500,000.

What else can Fructal offer in the ESG?

In Fructal, we are constantly introducing improvements in the field of ESG, and in the future we will strive for the sustainable development of the company with the aim of further reducing our carbon footprint – not only in production, but also in the rest of our areas.

In addition to technological improvements, I would point out that we are also investing a lot in the update of infrastructure and improving working conditions for employees. I mean, in particular, to replace old roofing, modernization of production lines and the purchase of new forklifts and laboratory equipment. Improvement of working conditions also involves automation, modernization of air conditioners and the introduction of new machines to reduce the physical stress of employees. This will also improve the safety and efficiency of production.

The company is celebrating 80 years this year. How do you look at the path?

In Fructal, we are proud of our long tradition, and personally I am particularly pleased that after eight decades, we are still in Ajdovščina after eight decades, from where I am alone. We are also pleased to be pleased that shortly after the company was taken over in 2011, our owner managed to ensure the success of Fructal again, and with a number of important investments, the further development of the company.

It is these investments that make it possible to continue the long tradition of Fructal and to meet the expectations of modern consumers who appreciate the durability, quality and Slovenian origin of the products. When we celebrate 80 years of society’s existence, we are also looking forward to the fact that there is still a number of very popular products of our well -known brands on the market, which accompany some people virtually all their lives, and they also impress their children. Among our fruit juices and beverages that refresh us at home, on trips and trips, is, of course, the legendary Pingo, there is also Fruc. When it comes to fruit nutrition products, we can’t get past Frutko and Frutabel. And it is with the special edition of the latter that we will mark our birthday specifically, but more about it in the coming months.

Fructal has two production facilities in Slovenia today – in Ajdovščina and Duplica near Kamnik. We export products mainly to the markets of Southeastern Europe and to the Czech Republic, Italy and the USA, where Fructal products are highly desirable.

We are closely involved in the local environment, which we support with a number of socio -responsible initiatives. We are also one of the important employers in the region and we are well aware of our responsibilities for employees. We also invest a lot in the safety and efficiency of production. We greatly appreciate the commitment and belonging of our colleagues, who, with their knowledge, contribute significantly to the development of products.