OREANDA-NEWS. December 31, 2009. Kernel is pleased to announce its newly upgraded Poltava crushing plant is now crushing close to its full crushing capacity of 1,300 tons of sunflower seed per day. Following a major investment program, crushing capacity of the plant has been increased by over 70% and overall production efficiency significantly improved. The latest technology has been installed, including new seed storage capacity by GSI of the United States, seed preparation equipment by Schmidt-Seeger GmbH of Germany and dehulling and oilseed breaking technology by Rosedowns and Alloco, subsidiaries of Desmet Ballestra group. In designing the new plant, Kernel was also careful to introduce new technology not only improving process efficiency, but also respectful of the environment: The new Vyncke boiler converts sunflower husk into clean energy, using biomass produced by the plant and largely eliminating the need for external supply of gas.

The new plant is also better positioned to service Kernel customers: As a major supplier of sunflower oil to the domestic and international markets, the new plant has successfully undergone IFS (International Food Standard) certification as well as ISO 22000 certification, the new standard for food safety management systems.

Kernel management is confident the increased facility is an important step for the Group, with the upgrade and capacity increase of the Poltava plant consolidating Kernel's position in the north east of Ukraine, and farmers increasingly relying on the company to market, process and eventually export their production.