The aim of the RAFU (Recycling of Used, Agricultural Films) machine is to recover agricultural films that have been used outdoors for the purpose of recycling. To emphasize the important contribution RAFU has to make to the future of machines and automation, three areas of innovation have been highlighted:
- Innovations in cleaning: a combination of scraping tools used on the film's upper and lower surfaces and a high flow blower device remove most of the dirt. In the case of semi-forced carrots, all that is left is 500 kg of dirt per tonne of film. The tool's main innovation is that it can be used to carry out three operations simultaneously, with the task of cleaning sandwiched between the two traditional tasks of hoeing and rolling.
- Innovations in productivity: the film tension is carefully controlled so the machine can adapt to the vehicle speed, helping to prevent the plastic film from tearing. The film is then rolled over a bicone to prevent it from resting on the ground (saving time and reducing soiling). Film can currently be recovered from an 8 ha area/per day.
- Ergonomic and handling innovations the entire film removal process was analysed in order to find technological solutions that would help reduce the number of operators required: a single operator is needed. Some assistance is needed, at the outset, to attach the film to the bicone; however, all other operations are controlled from the driver's cabin, including automatic film recovery, a process that is dependent upon the speed of the tractor. The process of opening the bicone and recovering the used film roll, can also be controlled from the driver's cabin, simplifying and optimising operational effectiveness.

Our device, which was developed in partnership with Landes carrot growers as part of the RAFU project, reduces the amount of dirt on film used to grow early, semi-forced carrots by 25% when compared with existing solutions, as well as reducing the number of workers required. In addition to significant savings for farmers, the entire sector will benefit from these innovations, with a reduction in transport costs, the recycling of used films as well as new opportunities for development. Agricultural films are no longer regarded as waste products but rather as new raw materials.

The aim of the RAFU (Recycling of Used, Agricultural Films) machine is to recover agricultural films that have been used outdoors for the purpose of recycling. To emphasize the important contribution RAFU has to make to the future of machines and automation, three areas of innovation have been highlighted:
– Innovations in cleaning: a combination of scraping tools used on the film’s upper and lower surfaces and a high flow blower device remove most of the dirt. In the case of semi-forced carrots, all that is left is 500 kg of dirt per tonne of film. The tool’s main innovation is that it can be used to carry out three operations simultaneously, with the task of cleaning sandwiched between the two traditional tasks of hoeing and rolling.
– Innovations in productivity: the film tension is carefully controlled so the machine can adapt to the vehicle speed, helping to prevent the plastic film from tearing. The film is then rolled over a bicone to prevent it from resting on the ground (saving time and reducing soiling). Film can currently be recovered from an 8 ha area/per day.
– Ergonomic and handling innovations the entire film removal process was analysed in order to find technological solutions that would help reduce the number of operators required: a single operator is needed. Some assistance is needed, at the outset, to attach the film to the bicone; however, all other operations are controlled from the driver’s cabin, including automatic film recovery, a process that is dependent upon the speed of the tractor. The process of opening the bicone and recovering the used film roll, can also be controlled from the driver’s cabin, simplifying and optimising operational effectiveness.

Our device, which was developed in partnership with Landes carrot growers as part of the RAFU project, reduces the amount of dirt on film used to grow early, semi-forced carrots by 25% when compared with existing solutions, as well as reducing the number of workers required. In addition to significant savings for farmers, the entire sector will benefit from these innovations, with a reduction in transport costs, the recycling of used films as well as new opportunities for development. Agricultural films are no longer regarded as waste products but rather as new raw materials.