Apple harvesting, now underway in Trentino's Val di Non and Val di Sole, is about to make history. The credit goes to a true technological marvel set to shape the future of Italian and global fruit farming. For the first time, freshly picked apples can now travel by cableway: the futuristic ropeway system designed by the Italian consortium Melinda has just completed its maiden journey, connecting one of the processing facilities in Predaia (Province of Trento) to the underground storage cells located deep inside the Rio Maggiore mine, at 900 meters from the mine entrance, at an altitude of approximately 575 meters above sea level.
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"Consorzio Melinda's new Melinda Cableway is an example of how PNRR National Recovery and Resilience Plan funds can support companies and empower them to lead the energy transition without portraying them as enemies of the environment," says Minister of Agriculture Francesco Lollobrigida. "This investment, which uses empty quarries to store harvested fruit, is a step in the right direction. It will eliminate the need for thousands of truck trips, significantly lower CO2 emissions, preserve land, and improve safety standards for workers. The government supports Italian excellence and those who produce it. This project embodies the essence of the 'Made in Italy' teamwork spirit."
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The project was partially financed by the Next Generation EU program, which covered 40% of the investment costs. It is the world's first cableway system dedicated to transporting fruit. The Melinda Consortium collaborated with Leitner, a ropeway systems company, and local workers to create this 100% Italian project.
© MELINDAErnesto Seppi, president of Melinda and APOT
"This project is a great source of pride for us farmers," says Ernesto Seppi, president of Melinda and the Association of Fruit and Vegetable Producers from Trentino (APOT). "We believe it can also be a source of pride for institutions, starting with the Ministry of Agriculture. The cableway for apples is a prime example of the effective use of PNRR resources, adding to the sustainable path that our consortium began years ago by implementing concrete solutions, such as using only renewable energies, using drip irrigation to conserve water in the fields, and using natural refrigeration in underground storage facilities."
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The new infrastructure also ensures enhanced safety conditions for personnel working in the underground cells every day. Thanks to the new, large facility, access to the underground cells is now through a dedicated entrance designed specifically for daily mine site workers. This entrance reduces interference with other routes, improves work organization, and ensures greater protection for those working in such a unique context.
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The 1.3-kilometer-long cable car can transport 460 300-kilogram containers every hour at a speed of five meters per second, overcoming a height difference of almost 90 meters. The apples will reach underground storage facilities in the heart of the Dolomites, where natural refrigeration ensures a 30 percent energy savings compared to traditional warehouses.
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In addition to its logistical advantages, the system brings significant environmental benefits. More than 5,000 truck trips will be eliminated each year, leading to reduced emissions and improved road safety. The cableway is powered by renewable energy sources, including photovoltaic and hydroelectric power. Remarkably, even the weight of the descending apples contributes to energy generation.
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The official inauguration is scheduled for the fall and will be attended by national and local authorities. However, the "Funivia delle Mele" has already become a symbol of Trentino's and Italy's innovation, sustainability, and cooperative spirit.
For more information:
melinda.it