Valka and Icelandic processor Lodnuvinnslan hf signed a contract for a new high tech processing line for ground fish operations during this year's Seafood Processing Global exhibition in Brussels.

This is the largest contract that Valka has signed to date.

Pre-trimmed fillets will be fed to the Valka system for bone removal, portioning, grading, batching and output of iced products in sealed boxes. The equipment to be delivered includes a double lane Valka Cutter machine, the most powerful unit the company has designed so far. The range of technology included in this design will provide Lodnuvinnslan with more efficiency, better yield and assistance in meeting the increasing market demands for a variety of portion types and boneless products.

The new system will allow Lodnuvinnslan to greatly boost its production rate.

“The goal is to increase the daily production from an average 23 tons to over 40 tons. With this investment we’re able to do that without additional staff,” says Fridrik Mar Gudmundsson, CEO of Lodnuvinnslan. “The system and setup also allows for much more flexibility in the production, such as simultaneously processing multiple species while using the same staff for both ground fish and pelagic operations.”

The contract with Lodnuvinnslan is the most valuable one that Valka has signed to date and is worth over €3m.

“We´re very pleased that Lodnuvinnslan chose to work with Valka on this ambitious and progressive project, a decision made after thorough consideration,” says Helgi Hjálmarsson, CEO of Valka ehf. “Lately we have been putting much effort into product development, with emphasis on automation, better handling of raw materials and products while maximising accuracy and value at all production stages. This contract indicates that we’re definitely heading in the right direction.”