Troostwijk Auctions auctions industrial assets of bankrupt Dutch potato processor CêlaVíta

AMSTERDAM, 18 December 2025 – Troostwijk Auctions today launches the online auction of the complete industrial inventory of CêlaVíta, the Dutch producer of chilled potato products that was declared bankrupt earlier this summer. As it has now become clear that a restart of the company is not possible, the assets are being offered through six online auctions. Significant international interest is expected. 

Wide range of high-quality food processing equipment
The auctions open on 18 December and run until 15 January. 

Two auctions form the core of the total of six auctions: 

1. Potato processing machinery – including sorting lines, washing and peeling machines, cooking installations and other process equipment. 

2. Packaging and labelling machinery – including complete packaging lines, metal detectors, weighing systems and labelling technology. 

The offering consists of high-quality machines from leading brands such as TOMRA, Newtec, Kiremko, Dofra Foodtech, DTS, Oldenberg Alpha, Odenberg and Marcelissen. 

Highlighted machines and installations include: 

• Newtec Celox-P-UHD stainless steel optical sorter (2017) 

• Kiremko / Agrico stainless steel potato peeling line 

• Dofra Foodtech stainless steel potato segmenter (2015) 

• DTS stainless steel screw conveyors 

• Stainless steel bunker and insulated tank configurations 

• Sorting systems from Oldenberg Alpha, Odenberg and TOMRA 

• Finis and Marcelissen peeling, cutting and sorting units 

• Filling and weighing lines 

• Tray sealers 

All auctions are bundled on a single, clearly structured overview page. 

Disappearance of an icon of the Dutch food industry
For decades, CêlaVíta was known as a pioneer in the market for convenience potato products. Founded in 1967 in Wezep, the company supplied supermarkets, foodservice, hotels and the food industry across Europe. After years of losses, rising costs and a difficult search for new customers, bankruptcy was declared this summer. Production came to a halt and 171 employees lost their jobs. 

According to mr. Frans Aartsen, bankruptcy trustee of CêlaVíta, a restart proved unfeasible, due in part to the size of the company, the complexity of the production process and the ownership structure of the factory. The trustee commented: 

“It is deeply regrettable that a truly Dutch company with such a typically Dutch product is disappearing. CêlaVíta helped shape the market for convenience potatoes. That this history now comes to an end is especially painful for the 171 employees who lost their jobs, as well as for the many growers who have been left with losses.” 

Machines given a second life
Troostwijk Auctions expects strong interest in CêlaVíta’s equipment, both nationally and internationally. Jasper van Leeuwen, Account Manager Insolvency at Troostwijk Auctions, emphasises the importance of reuse: 

“We hope that other producers will be able to give these high-quality potato processing machines a second life. Most of the machines are still in excellent condition and can add value elsewhere immediately. By choosing reuse, buyers contribute to a circular economy.” 

Parts from older installations also remain popular for maintenance and refurbishment. This extends the lifespan of existing machines and reduces the environmental impact of new production. According to Troostwijk Auctions, online auctions are playing an increasingly strategic role in this context: they ensure international visibility, market-based pricing and the efficient redeployment of industrial assets.