From her location in the Mediterranean city of Barcelona, Eva Bourseau is leading the expansion of OneThird in Southern Europe. OneThird is a Dutch company that has developed an innovative fruit inspection technology based on near-infrared light and machine learning with a clear goal: to reduce food waste and improve efficiency in the supply chain.
© OneThird
The fight against food waste begins in the field, as well as in packing facilities and supermarkets. Based on this premise, OneThird has created a unique technological ecosystem, combining hardware, software, and AI models to predict the shelf life of fresh fruits and enhance quality control systems," Eva Bourseau stated.
"Our goal is to provide accurate and non-invasive tools that allow us to know in real time the internal state of fruits such as strawberries. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR) and the complete digitization of the process allow us to deliver highly reliable predictions of the products' shelf life.
© OneThird
Scanners that 'see' what the eye can't detect
Currently, OneThird is focusing on two main areas: External and internal inspection. "Visual Inspection is a technology based on high-resolution photographic images. Through a light box system and AI analysis, this technology can detect external defects, determine size, count the number of fruits per batch, assess colorimetry, and more. This module is perfect for nurseries or growers who handle many varieties and seek speed and simplicity in their controls."
© OneThird
"The great differential value of OneThird, regarding internal inspection, lies in this portable scanner with NIR technology, which allows detecting internal parameters with non-invasive technology. We can measure Brix in strawberries, firmness in blueberries, or dry matter in avocados. Most importantly, we can predict their shelf life," Eva stressed.
"This is achieved through the development of machine learning models. Through a calibration process, the system is trained using real data on the evolution and durability of the batches. This work requires a commitment to innovation from the client, but the result is predictive traceability that revolutionizes logistical decision-making."
© OneThirdEva Bourseau and René Clerc, at Huelva's International Berry Congress.
Avocado Dry Matter: The avocado scanner that's taking supermarkets by storm
In addition to the producer and cooperative aspects of the business, OneThird has introduced a groundbreaking solution for retailers: the Avocado Dry Matter Avocado Scanner for end consumers.
"Customers manipulate the avocados in the store to see how ripe they are. This can spoil the product, causing losses. With our scanner, the consumer places the fruit on the device and gets a simple classification: ripe and firm, ripe and soft, or ideal for salad or guacamole," Eva said. "This development has already been installed in supermarkets in 15 countries, including Spain, Germany, Chile, Finland, and the United Arab Emirates, and its popularity on social media has gone viral."
© OneThird
"The device not only reduces waste, but also acts as a visual marketing tool and improves sales." "It's like the orange juice machine, but with cutting-edge technology applied to avocados," Bourseau said.
Although OneThird's technology can be used on many fruits and vegetables (they have already tested it with pears, melons, and mushrooms), the company is now mainly focusing on three key crops: strawberries, blueberries, and avocados. "These are products of high economic value and are sensitive to post-harvest loss. In the case of blueberries, for example, many consumers have returned trays with defective fruit, which creates mistrust that is hard to recover. Our technology helps prevent these issues," she stated.
© OneThird
International expansion: Latin America on the radar
OneThird is already working on pilot projects in Chile and Peru, and is also receiving interest from Morocco, a key country in berry production. "For logistical reasons, our focus remains mainly on Europe, but we are open to strategic collaborations in Latin America and North Africa, especially in countries with a strong export vocation."
The company, which will attend Fruit Attraction 2025, is strengthening its presence in Southern Europe from its office in Barcelona. "We would like to connect with distributors and producers who share our vision of technological, precise, and sustainable agriculture," Eva stated.
© OneThirdFor more information:
OneThird
Eva Bourseau
Email: [email protected]
https://onethird.io
