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To achieve greater precision in analyzing its raw materials, COSUCRA turned to artificial intelligence with the support of Digital Wallonia4AI, as part of the Tremplin IA program. (Reading time: 3 minutes)
Measuring chicory roots was a slow, manual process at COSUCRA. It consumed valuable time and resources and was prone to human error.
Together with delaware and Digital Wallonia 4.AI, COSUCRA automated part of the measurement process using artificial intelligence and computer vision. This made the process faster, more reliable, and scalable.
The time needed for analysis dropped significantly. Accuracy improved, and employees could focus on more value-added tasks instead of repetitive work.
The project was carried out within the CHICOLINE Business Unit, which focuses on “breeding,” meaning the selection and varietal improvement of chicory. This BU plays a key role in COSUCRA’s strategy: developing new, higher-quality and more competitive varieties, both for agriculture and the food industry. In this context, measuring the roots is a decisive step, as it helps identify the most promising plants. The project’s goal was therefore to automate this process using computer vision. The result: a faster, more reliable method, less dependent on manual interventions, freeing up time for teams to focus on higher value-added tasks.
COSUCRA, a key player in the extraction of natural ingredients from chicory and peas, was looking to improve the precision and efficiency of its root analyses. The company had two clear objectives: to make better use of existing imaging data and, over time, to unlock the value of more than 30 years of historical data.
Until recently, COSUCRA's root measurements were performed manually - a time-consuming process, dependent on human expertise, and prone to inconsistencies. By teaming up with Digital Wallonia 4.AI and delaware, the company automated this critical step, significantly improving efficiency and reliability. At the same time, the project laid the groundwork to unlock the full value of COSUCRA’s rich archive of over 30 years of historical data.
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With the support of Digital Wallonia 4.AI and the expertise of delaware, COSUCRA implemented an AI-powered solution to modernize and automate chicory root measurements. After a thorough analysis of operational needs and field constraints, a computer vision system was deployed to replace manual measurements with a fast, reliable, and reproducible process.
The implementation of the AI-powered solution quickly delivered measurable impact. COSUCRA significantly reduced the time required for root analysis, while improving accuracy and standardizing data across the board. This enhanced consistency is already contributing to one of the company’s long-term goals: shortening the development cycle of a new seed from ten to seven years.
Automation has also helped reduce errors and improve the quality of data available for research, development and production. A dedicated application now replaces much of the paper-based process, streamlining data collection and management while supporting COSUCRA’s sustainability ambitions. As a result, internal resources have been reallocated to more strategic tasks - boosting both operational efficiency and competitiveness.
A delaware client since 2010, COSUCRA has built a long-standing partnership that extends far beyond a single project. For years, delaware had recognized the untapped potential of COSUCRA’s extensive image database and its ambition to make data a driver of innovation. Thanks to the Digital Wallonia 4.AI program, that vision became reality. Combining regional financial support with delaware’s implementation expertise, COSUCRA was able to transform its data into a strategic asset and driver of innovation.
Together, COSUCRA and delaware defined an ambitious roadmap toward more efficient, reliable and sustainable production - highlighting the growing role of artificial intelligence in the future of the agri-food industry.
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Benoît Loffet
AI Agents Lead
Connect with Benoît on LinkedIn
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