Astra to launch high-speed pineapple peeler and corer for industrial market

JAPAN – Japanese equipment manufacturer Astra is expanding its presence in industrial food processing with the launch of its most powerful pineapple peeler and corer to date.

The FAP-3000, which will be available globally in October, is designed for large-scale operations and combines speed, precision, and a compact structure.

“This is a completely new challenge for us,” says Ryo Takeshita, Sales Manager at Astra. “Our previous largest machine was about 60 kg; this one is 120 kg. It’s still compact when compared to other food machinery, but for us, it’s a big step forward.”

Astra developed the FAP-3000 based on its existing peeling technology, which has been in use through its smaller KA-750PM model.

However, the company started from scratch to design the new system’s structure, focusing on increasing capacity and maintaining quality.

“It took about a year to finish,” says Ryo. “We already had the peeling part, which is the most difficult. But adding the coring system and making the machine handle more fruit was a big engineering job. We’re really proud of what we’ve created.”

The FAP-3000 can handle around 450 to 500 pineapples an hour. In comparison, the KA-750PM processes around 200 to 250. Both machines deliver a yield rate of 62% without coring and 52% after coring.

According to Ryo, most pineapple processing machines leave behind 55 to 60% waste. Astra’s peelers reduce this to just 48%, making each processed batch more efficient.

“That means you get 1 extra pineapple for every 8 to 14 processed,” he explains. “These numbers are quite competitive compared to other machines on the market.”

Field testing and market launch

Some of Astra’s long-standing customers in Japan are already using the FAP-3000 in test environments. “So far, the feedback has been very positive,” says Ryo. “Everyone is impressed with how fast and compact it is.”

The company plans to launch the machine officially at the IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show, set for October 16 to 18 in Anaheim, California. Astra expects the FAP-3000 to open doors in new markets where high-speed and compact processing machines are needed.

“With our success in the retail market, we’re excited to now offer a solution for larger factories and industrial production,” Ryo says.

To meet global standards, Astra is preparing the FAP-3000 for NSF certification, which is expected to be completed by November 2025. The machine already has CE marking, allowing it to be used in Europe. “NSF is crucial for our customers in the U.S., which remains one of our largest markets,” Ryo adds.

As part of its broader market push, Astra is also enhancing its customer service network and exploring regional warehousing options to reduce delivery times and support after-sales maintenance.

These steps reflect growing demand from larger processors seeking faster, cleaner, and more reliable solutions.

The company sees the FAP-3000 as a key move toward meeting those needs.

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