The Challenge
Safely Handling Delicate Seeds Across Global Operations
Enza Zaden, a world leader in vegetable seed breeding, operates globally—from the Netherlands to California, Australia, and Malaysia. While most seeds are robust enough to be sown directly, lettuce and endive seeds are an exception. These tiny, lightweight seeds easily blow away during sowing.
The solution? Pelleting—coating seeds with clay to ensure precision sowing. But this created a new problem:
- Pelleted seeds are fragile, requiring gentle, steady transport.
- Seeds arrived in 44 lb crates. Employees had to climb stairs multiple times each day to manually empty the crates into weighing systems—a time-consuming process that increased both labor demands and safety risks.
- Transporting crates was inefficient, and handling them throughout the supply chain was labor-intensive and inefficient.
Enza Zaden needed a safer, more efficient way to transport, store, and handle delicate seeds, all while optimizing space in their logistics.
“The use of the Neva system increases safety and convenience, and it saves time: it has proven itself excellently and has been more than worth the investment.“
Pieter Pereboom, Team Leader Processing
The Indus Solution
Neva: Transforming Seed Transport and Packaging
Enza Zaden discovered Indus Neva through Incotec, their seed pelleting partner. After a visit to Incotec’s facility, they were sold.
Game-changing Improvements:
- One Neva replaces 20 crates of lettuce seeds—cutting down handling time and improving safety.
- Nevas are positioned directly above the weighing machines in a custom-built frame, allowing dosed discharging via a simple slide at the bottom—no more stair climbing.
“Going up and down the stairs with heavy crates is now a thing of the past,” says Pieter Pereboom, Processing Team Leader.
Specialized for Sensitive Seeds:
- Enza Zaden worked with a local sailmaker to develop custom Super Sacks: Antistatic, waterproof, and designed to protect delicate pelleted seeds. Tailored to fit perfectly within the Neva system.
- Space savings in transport: By shortening the Neva’s stacking tubes, Enza Zaden could double-stack units in truckloads, saving 50% space during transport between Incotec and their facility.
“Incotec now fills just one unit instead of multiple crates—a huge advantage for both of us,” Pereboom adds.
The Result
Proven Success:
- Hundreds of Nevas now support Enza Zaden’s seed packaging processes.
- The system runs fifteen times a day, all year round.
- Nevas stack easily in storage or on truckloads and move smoothly with forklifts.
“The team wouldn’t want to go back. The Neva system has increased safety, saved time, and proven to be more than worth the investment.”
