Exploration of filleting, portioning and smoking technologies in the German Seafood Industry

Exploration of filleting, portioning and smoking technologies in the German Seafood Industry

BIM Development and Innovation have been scanning globally for new Innovative technologies to add further value to the Irish seafood sector, automate processing and ensure the Irish seafood sector has access to the best technologies available globally. 

In 2019, BIM brought a group of large whitefish and salmon processors to Germany to view cutting-edge filleting, portioning and smoking technologies and facilitate entry to five leading whitefish and salmon processing factories. These first-hand visits allow Irish companies to see new technologies in operation, meet with factory managers and equipment users and define whether these solutions are relevant for their own conditions. 

Companies visited included Deutsche See GmbH where processes included portioning, defrosting, smoking and sushi manufacture, Frozen Fish International GmbH, one of the leading frozen and enrobed fish manufacturing plants globally with state-of-the-art frozen block handling and portioning technologies and Die Räucherei, a leading German smoked fish manufactorer where technologies for liquid smoking were demonstrated with factory tour and product tasting. 

To strengthen knowledge of the underlying scientific principles affecting flavour, quality and shelf-life, the group also attended Oltmer Food Consulting, offering Innovative solutions around optimised ingredients and process development, with a portfolio of tailored ingredients solutions for liquid smoking, shelf-life and safety and sensory analysis tools and training; Pronacon, Options for listeria protection using plant/spice extracts and/or pre-fermented cultures which can also be post-sprayed on end products. Information and tasting of salt reduced smoked salmon (2% salt instead of 3%), produced with injection technology and a new Pronacon ingredient for food safety for salt reduced end products; and TTZ Bremerhaven, a German R&D facility demonstrating a new technology to defrost e.g. fish/seafood products in a very gentle way, offering many advantages. 

BIM continues to develop key-contacts in the areas of Innovative technologies across the entire seafood value chain and link Irish seafood clients with the most relevant technology and service providers.