Akraborg – the largest cod liver cannery in the world – adds a second ValuePump™ that will improve their membrane removal stage with a process that is faster and more efficient than has been possible before.
Icelandic cannery Akraborg – a world leading manufacturer of high-quality canned cod liver – will install a second ValuePump™ at their factory in Akranes. Happy with their previous purchase in 2019, Akraborg saw the benefits of adding another pump for a new liver membrane removal process that was developed in cooperation with the design team at Skaginn 3X.
Advancing cod liver processing
For the largest producer of canned cod liver in the world it is important to maintain an efficient operation with high grade equipment, tight quality control and hygienic processing. “This year we celebrate our 30th anniversary,” says Rolf Hakon Arnarson, Director of Akraborg. “We see this as an opportunity to rethink the next 30 years of processing in partnership with Skaginn 3X.” The company has been instrumental in refining the production process at Akraborg with equipment that minimizes raw material handling and supports both the quality and sustainability standards of the company.
Faster and more efficient
The first ValuePump™ that Akraborg installed cleans and gently conveys the product in transit. The new and custom developed ValuePump™ is designed to heat the liver and loosen the membrane before canning. “We are constantly working on improving our production and supporting our sustainability measures throughout the process,” says Einar Víglundsson, Akraborg’s factory manager. “Adding the second ValuePump™ is an opportunity for us to simplify and improve the previously complicated, time consuming, process of getting the membrane off the liver.”
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Improved product treatment
Using the ValuePump™ at the membrane removal stage is a new method that treats the liver far better than previous ones. ValuePump™ is an enclosed transport and value adding system that is efficient and hygienic. It minimizes product handling, expedites production and maintains product quality as the first product into the system is the first one out. The liver is kept intact and the membrane is off with minimal manual handling. The enclosed system makes all hygiene and cleaning easier.
Putting quality first
“The first ValuePump™ allowed us to realize new levels of quality for our products,” says Víglundsson, “The second ValuePump™ will make a process that has been complicated up until now far more efficient than before. We anticipate the throughput, quality and yield to be better and see opportunities for further advancement with this new application. The new ValuePump™ will also support our sustainability efforts by improving energy consumption.”
Maximizing raw material utilization
“We are aware of the fact that we are working with a valuable natural resource,” says Arnarson. “It is therefore our responsibility to respect the value of the fish and its liver and use every available method to maximize raw material utilization. Working with Skaginn 3X is an important part of our sustainability policy and helps us improve raw material handling and utilization.” From a tub lift and tub tipper at the start of the line, that lessen forklift use, to the two ValuePumps, Skaginn 3X has supplied Akraborg with solutions that bring higher quality levels, better production control and more flexibility to the entire process on the cod liver production line.
