Fish processing systems designer Valka has signed a contract with Murman Seafood Company to design and build a EUR10m first of its kind groundfish processing plant featuring a fully automated pin-bone and portion-cutting line in Kola, Russia.
Construction has already begun on the project, which will include Valka's signature equipment and methodologies. Murman Seafood’s operations are provisionally scheduled to begin in August 2019.
"It has been a pleasure working with Murman Seafood on planning their new plant. Valka has been growing quickly, and we're now in a place where we can take on the task of complete factory design and project management,” said Valka general manager Helgi Hjalmarsson.
“The benefits of having a single company managing all plant equipment are to accelerate the process and ensure the best possible processing flow. With this approach and the selected equipment, this plant will be the most advanced one in Russia.”
Maximisation potential
Murman Seafood currently operates six trawlers and is one of only eight seafood companies granted higher fishing quotas in exchange for constructing domestic plants in Russia. The new plant will give Murman the ability to maximise a daily capacity of up to 50t of raw material.
According to Denis V. Khiznyakov, manager of land-based production for Murman, the company looks forward to expanding beyond its current offerings of traditional fillets, for the output of high-value products and reduced waste.
"By building this factory, we are responding to the changing environment and improving our competitive position in an international market,” he said. “We will continue to offer traditional fillet products, but as well, we´ll be able to produce all kinds of portions that require flexibility and high-tech production equipment.”
