The biomarine seminar gathered over 100 participants from about 70 different companies. They gained insight into new technologies and got to see how technology can be used to increase the value of marine ingredients.
Technology no guarantee
Fiskeriforskning is focusing heavily on technology to develop high-quality marine ingredients for both feed and foodstuffs. Research on this technology is necessary to achieve increased added value on by-products and krill.
"Technology is necessary for, but no guarantee for, innovation in this field. Technology must be developed in line with product requirements and market signals", says Department Director Ola Flesland.
Preserves fish taste
Producing concentrates and dry powders at low temperatures preserves valuable properties in the raw materials, such as taste components and health-promoting components. Representatives from Hosokawa Micron and Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) presented news within freeze-drying, a process whereby marine ingredients can be dried without losing quality.
Another new technology is freeze concentration, presented by Dutch firm GEA NIRO Process Technology. By freezing fluids into a type of "slush" and then removing the ice, it is possible to gently produce high-quality extracts while preserving the taste.
Today, freeze concentration is used on coffee, juice and beer. The idea is to also use this technology on extracts from fish raw materials to create flavours for foods, such as soups and sauces, and as flavour enhancers in fish feed.
"At Fiskeriforskning, we have the competence for this technology and have already taken the initiative to test this on marine raw ingredients", says Flesland.
Feed from new raw materials
Albert Tacon from the University of Hawaii outlined for the audience the challenges and possibilities for new raw ingredients and feeds for current and new farmed species. Constant new raw materials and higher requirements for fish feed also make strict demands on technology and knowledge of the raw materials' properties.
One of the new materials for feed is krill, and Aker Seafoods presented their experiences with this. Scientists at Fiskeriforskning provided examples of how the raw materials' properties can affect the quality of the fish feed, and how important it is to control the process. Olav Kvalheim from the University of Bergen introduced new possibilities for improving process and product development.
The Biomarine Industrial Seminar is organised annually, and is targeted at the fishmeal industry, fish feed manufacturers, the marine ingredients industry and equipment vendors. This year's seminar was supported by Innovation Norway, Marin Vest, the Fishery and Aquaculture Industry Research Fund, and the Foundation for Recirculation and Exploitation of Organic By-products in Norway (RUBIN).
