-
Food, feed & confectioneryAdvanced materials
See how Ardiv International uses Bühler SORTEX J to automate spice seed sorting, remove near-color defects, and detect foreign material.
See how Ardiv International uses Bühler SORTEX J to automate spice seed sorting, remove near-color defects, and detect foreign material.
‘We no longer need an operator physically present’ — SORTEX J helps simplify spice processing at Ardiv International. Spice seed processor, Ardiv International, has transformed its operation with Bühler’s SORTEX J SpectraVision. With a multi-commodity processing line, simplicity, speed, and support became vital to the company’s growth - three aspects that the SORTEX J has brought them in abundance, helping the company scale their operation to new heights.
In the heart of Unjha, Gujarat – Asia’s largest spice market— the legacy of spice trading is evolving. When Managing Director, Ritesh Kothari, sought to establish a state-of-the-art facility, the requirement was complex: a single plant capable of processing a massive variety of seeds, including cumin, sesame, carom, quinoa, basil, and psyllium. “We met Mr. Krunal from Bühler and explained that we needed to establish a multi-commodity processing facility with the best optical sorter,” says Mr. Kothari. Krunal Shah, Bühler Team Leader, noted that the ambition was not just local sales, but “to export high-quality spice seeds and supply multinational firms that demand the highest food safety standards.”
Since its commissioning in April 2025, the SORTEX J has redefined the plant’s efficiency. At a capacity of 2 tons per hour, the machine addresses the most difficult challenge in spice processing: near-color defects and minute impurities.
“What I like most about the SORTEX J is its ability to remove the near-color defects,” Mr. Kothari explains. “It is equipped with advanced capability such as foreign material detection, including sticks, other seeds, and various other impurities. The latest calibration options improve consistency and reduce false rejects, all leading to better yield.” Beyond sorting accuracy, the machine has fundamentally changed the shop-floor dynamic. An Ardiv operator noted, “In the SORTEX J machine display, we can adjust the sensitivity by selecting up to ten different defect sizes.
The machine is easy to operate, has a good rejection ratio, and online remote support is available for any requirement. “This ease of use has a direct impact on labor, as Mr. Kothari adds: “Our operators no longer need to be physically present at the machine.”
We met Mr. Krunal from Bühler and explained that we needed to establish a multi-commodity processing facility with the best optical sorter
Rithesh Kothari,
Managing Director, Ardiv International LLP
With the SORTEX J in place, we can pack every batch of spice seeds with complete confidence. We know our products meet all the necessary regulations, including HACCP certification.
Rithesh Kothari,
Managing Director, Ardiv International LLP
The ultimate measure of the SORTEX J’s success is the confidence it provides to the end buyer. For Ardiv International, the machine is more than a sorter; it is a guarantee of safety and compliance.
“With the SORTEX J in place, we can pack every batch of spice seeds with complete confidence,“ says Mr. Kothari. “We know our products meet all the necessary regulations, including HACCP certification.” The success at Ardiv International serves as a definitive validation of the SORTEX J SpectraVision in high-stakes, multi-commodity environments. By moving beyond simple color sorting to advanced foreign material detection, Ardiv International has bridged the gap between traditional processing and the rigorous demands of global multinational supply chains. This installation proves that the SORTEX J SpectraVision is a ‘global expander’ that helps unlock the growth needed to expand a business. Ardiv International offers a benchmark for what is possible when Bühler’s technical precision meets a customer’s vision for excellence.
Gupfenstrasse 5
Uzwil
9240
Switzerland