Trio from Norway has bought 60 per cent of the shares in FTC Sweden AB. The two companies see a major potential for synergy by combining technologies and offering new and more efficient solutions to the fish processing industry.
Trio is a supplier of deep skinning and fresh slicing machines to fish processors around the world. FTC is said to be a pioneer in developing machines for pin boning salmon. The companies said that they are working on a new, combined "All in one" pin boner and skinning machine. At the moment, Trio will be adding FTC pin boners to the recently upgraded FDS 2000 and FD1500. In addition, both companies are developing new technology for pin boning pre-rigour and fresh salmon. The removal of pin bones shortly after slaughtering will improve quality and texture and will mean longer shelf life for fresh, farmed salmon.
FDS 2000PB
In the upgraded FDS 2000PB, the fillet is transported on to a cold drum whose surface is below freezing point. The surface of the skin freezes to the cold drum where Trio FTC's patented pin-bone removal device gently pulls the pin bones out of the fillets. A rotating bandknife then separates the fillet from the skin.
The main advantages are:
* It saves labour by integrating two operations in the same machine.
* The capacity is up to 30 fillets per minute, depending on how mature the fillets are.
* The Trio FTC pin -bone removal system can pin bone fresh fillets.
* There is no water on the fillet. Residual water and bones are then removed by a vacuum system.
* The machine can be used for only skinning or pin-bone removal. If operated as a skinning machine only, the FDS 2000PB has a capacity of 50-80 fillets per minute.
