Seafood processors explore cutting edge automation capabilities in Netherlands

Representatives from Irish seafood processors on a tour of a fish processing facility during a BIM-led field mission to Urk.

Irish seafood processors gained insights into how they can use cutting-edge robotics and automation during a visit to state-of-the-art facilities in The Netherlands, as part of a new initiative from Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM).

Keohane’s, Green Isle, Good Fish, Quinlan’s, Norfish, Killybegs Seafoods and Castletownbere Coop were among nine whitefish, salmon and pelagic processors that attended the two-day visit to six factories in Urk, home to one of the largest seafood business parks in The Netherlands.

The BIM-led field mission was organised as part of the recently formed Seafood Innovation Network which works collaboratively with the sector to identify ways to innovate and modernise.

Richard Donnelly, Director of Development and Innovation Services, BIM, said Irish processors were well placed to introduce and benefit from technology that would boost their capabilities.

“The Irish seafood processing sector is one of the most modern in the world with some €70 million invested in upgraded facilities and automation in the last two years, including €35 million Brexit Adjustment Reserve funding,” said Mr. Donnelly.

“BIM is helping major processors explore how they can use automation capabilities to streamline production, add value and allow staff to move away from repetitive tasks to higher skilled roles.”

The field mission was the first funded by the Seafood Capacity Building Scheme, part of the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF), which supports increasing industry knowledge or technology transfer across innovation, sustainability, fisheries conservation or competitiveness.

“BIM established the new Seafood Innovation Network to provide leadership and commercial insights to the Irish seafood processing sector,” said Mr. Donnelly.

“We are working closely with industry to respond to their needs and to help them capitalise on opportunities to adapt, innovate and grow their businesses with future field missions and workshops being planned.”

The idea for the field mission stemmed from an event on robotics, automation and digitisation pathways for industry organised by BIM and Teagasc earlier this year. A new partnership between the two agencies seeks to further enhance support for seafood companies, particularly in food innovation and the bioeconomy.

During the visit to Urk, industry representatives saw pick and place robotic solutions in action which has capabilities of packing up to 200 picks of salmon darns per minute into a thermoforming packaging machine.

Urk is one of the largest seafood business parks in The Netherlands with some of the largest seafood processors co-located in a specially designed area and serviced by packaging, equipment and training providers. A traditional area for access to flatfish, some of the largest salmon and whitefish raw, frozen and value-added players have expanded multimillion euro processing facilities there in recent years.