{"id":3944,"date":"2025-08-15T10:46:05","date_gmt":"2025-08-15T08:46:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bio.bolster.nl\/?p=3944"},"modified":"2026-06-23T16:42:21","modified_gmt":"2026-06-23T14:42:21","slug":"with-our-sorting-machine-we-also-help-other-companies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bio.bolster.nl\/en\/with-our-sorting-machine-we-also-help-other-companies\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cWith our sorting machine, we also help other companies\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\u201cWith our sorting machine, we also help other companies<\/h1>\n

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Two years ago, De Bolster purchased a brand-new seed sorting machine to elevate the quality of tomato and bell pepper seeds to an even higher level. Co-founder Patrick Hoogendoorn explains how this investment is already bearing fruit.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n

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Smart sorting with AI<\/h2>\n

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Continuously innovating is very important for De Bolster. When you are small, you have to be smart. With the purchase of the so-called Seed-x sorting machine, De Bolster brought in the latest of the latest: a sorting machine that scans every single seed individually for deviations. If the seed does not meet the high quality standards, it is ruthlessly blown off the belt.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThe machine works on the basis of artificial intelligence,\u201d Patrick explains. \u201cWe start with six trays, where we sow a seed in each cell. After three weeks, we assess the seedlings: which are good and which are not? We then enter that data into the machine, which learns from it and adjusts the algorithm. After this, we can run the entire batch of seeds through the machine for scanning. On a single working day, about 1,700,000 seeds fly through the machine.\u201d<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n

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Service to other companies<\/h2>\n

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The sorting machine is an additional method to increase the germination reliability and uniformity of the seeds. It is not a cheap investment. That is why De Bolster is currently only using it for high-end tomato and bell pepper varieties for growers. Patrick continues: \u201cThanks to our cooperative members and their investment, we were able to purchase this machine ahead of schedule. Something that is wonderful for a relatively small company like ours. Because we are not yet using the full capacity of the machine, we now offer seed cleaning and sorting services to other smaller companies. Yes, even to competitors. But as smaller players in the market, we have to help each other; that is our strength. I think it\u2019s great that we are taking on that pioneering role.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n

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GSPP certificate<\/h2>\n

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In April\/May of this year, De Bolster will take another step that elevates their position in the seed market: the company hopes to receive the Good Seed and Plant Practices (GSPP) certificate. This certificate was established by tomato suppliers following the emergence of a tomato disease with major financial consequences. By working \u2018cleanly,\u2019 companies like De Bolster can prevent this disease. Patrick: \u201cWe already had many protocols for this ourselves, but this certificate adds an extra piece of security. In this way, we are constantly improving ourselves as a company.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n

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No chemicals, but a smart machine<\/h2>\n

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Patrick has plenty of wishes for the future: an extra Specific Gravity (SG) table to clean seeds, a large mantle to sort seeds by length, and increasing the capacity for dry heat treatment. Furthermore, De Bolster continues to look for new techniques. \u201cThe quality requirements for organic seeds are becoming increasingly high, and we want to show that many things are possible without chemicals. It would be wonderful if eventually there were a smart machine for every problem that solves it without chemicals. Organic might still be the child of the mature market; the best thing would be if that child grows up and organic becomes the standard. I believe we can come a long way.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n

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Latest news<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
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\u201cThanks to the heated greenhouse, we can breed and react to the market much faster\u201d<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n
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\u201cThanks to the heated greenhouse, we can breed and react to the market much faster\u201d<\/h3>\n

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\u201cOrganic growing comes from the heart, not just a business perspective\u201d<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n
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\u201cOrganic growing comes from the heart, not just a business perspective\u201d<\/h3>\n

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\u201cThe great thing about customer service is that in the morning, I don’t yet know what I’ll be doing that day\u201d<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n
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\u201cThe great thing about customer service is that in the morning, I don’t yet know what I’ll be doing that day\u201d<\/h3>\n

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\u201cI don’t want to keep up with the times; I want to stay ahead of them.\u201d<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n
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\u201cI don’t want to keep up with the times; I want to stay ahead of them.\u201d<\/h3>\n

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\u201cI believe it\u2019s important for passionate people to do what they\u2019re good at\u201d<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n
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\u201cI believe it\u2019s important for passionate people to do what they\u2019re good at\u201d<\/h3>\n

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Sprinklr: \u201cWe want to expand the organic market\u201d<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n
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