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Macadamia installation marks first Australian commissioning under Allegiant’s Meyer partnership
Queensland, Australia — Allegiant Milling and Processing Solutions has commenced commissioning of its first Meyer optical sorter in Australia under a new long-term strategic partnership with Meyer, marking a significant milestone in Allegiant’s launch of Meyer AI deep learning sorting technology.
The machine, a Meyer 480KMS double-belt optical sorter, is being installed at a macadamia processing facility in Queensland, with commissioning scheduled to commence on Thursday 21 May 2026.
Positioned after shelling, the sorter is designed to remove foreign material, shell fragments, colour defects and other unwanted material from the macadamia stream. Its double-belt configuration allows product to be inspected and sorted across two stages, supporting more accurate defect removal in demanding processing environments.
This installation is the first of several Meyer machines planned for commissioning across Australia as part of the partnership. The arrangement gives Australian processors access to Meyer’s global sorting technology, supported locally by Allegiant’s project management, commissioning and service capability. Allegiant is committed to building a full-service Meyer offering in Australia, with dedicated application support, technical service and long-term customer relationships at the centre of that model.
“This first installation is an important milestone for us, but more importantly it shows where the industry is heading,” said Eugene Gerrard, Chief Operating Officer of Allegiant. “Processors are looking for smarter, more reliable ways to protect quality, reduce contamination risk and improve consistency. Meyer’s deep learning capability gives us a strong platform to support that.”
Central to that capability is a shift in how optical sorting technology is applied. Traditional sorters rely heavily on fixed parameters and programmed thresholds. Meyer’s AI-based deep learning systems are designed to recognise more complex patterns across colour, shape and structural defects, helping processors manage natural variability in the product stream more effectively. For processors, the benefit is more consistent quality, stronger defect removal and reduced dependence on manual inspection downstream.
Meyer is a global manufacturer of intelligent sorting and optoelectronic identification technology, founded in 1993 and headquartered in Hefei, China. Listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, the company supplies food safety, healthcare and recycling technology across more than 130 countries and regions, has been recognised twice with China’s National Science and Technology Progress Award and by 2025 had accumulated nearly 800 authorised patents.
Allegiant expects demand across macadamias, almonds, walnuts, seeds, grains, pulses and broader food processing sectors where colour, shape and AI-based defect recognition can improve final product quality.
“This is not just about supplying a machine,” Gerrard added. “Before we recommend anything, we want to understand the full processing line from start to finish. We bring our application knowledge and the processor brings their operational experience. Together, we identify where sorting technology will have the most impact and the most value.”
Eugene Gerrard said Allegiant’s approach is to consider the whole project, including product characteristics, throughput, installation requirements, future flexibility and long-term support. “The equipment needs to be practical for the specific operation, flexible enough to handle changes in product or throughput, and supported in a way that keeps the processor running when it matters most,” he said.
About Allegiant
Allegiant Milling and Processing Solutions is an Australian process engineering and equipment supply company supporting food, nut, seed, grain and industrial processing sectors. Allegiant works with processors to design, supply and support practical equipment solutions that improve quality, efficiency and operational resilience.
Allegiant Milling and Processing Solutions
Website: allegiant.net.au
Email: info@allegiant.net.au
Phone: +61 7 3194 3172
