Maximum utilisation of resources
Utilising side-streams presents the challenge that the residual raw materials differ considerably from the products traditionally produced.
Since fish in the oceans is a limited resource, we need to make the best possible use of the fish once it has been caught.
We wish to take responsibility for maximum utilisation of the fish and shellfish passing through our processing plants. Here, greater use can be made of side-streams, resulting in new food products, while extracting proteins and oils from the process water can open up new opportunities in the feed or ingredients industry.
Risks and opportunities
Utilising side-streams presents the challenge that the residual raw materials differ considerably from the products traditionally produced. Often a special technology or a lot of manual work is required to utilise the last-remaining quantities, so that disposal may be the only option left.
When a fish is filleted, the head, skin and carcass will be left, while shells in large quantities will be left when shellfish such as prawn and crab are peeled. Innovative solutions, investments, co-operation with external partners and better resource allocation will make it possible to increase resource utilisation.
Actions and results 2022
2022 was another good year for sale of cod heads from Maniitsoq, which are sold for drying and as fishing bait.
In Newfoundland, processing of dried fish skin into pet food has been tried out. This really fine product has been tested and has proved to be a viable idea to develop further.
An innovation department was established in 2022, with the task of developing raw materials into new products, including by promoting the degree of utilisation of the raw material resources.
Goals and achievement of the goals 2019-2022
Goal:
- Increase the utilisation of potential raw materials in the Group's onshore facilities to minimum 80%.
- Develop new products with positive financial returns.
- Reduce the discharge of shells and fish remains via wastewater pipes.
Achievement of the goal:
Our result for the period is 70% utilisation of the overall raw materials, calculated as all residuals, including waste, entrails and fractions that are very difficult to utilise. Our goal of 80% utilisation of the marine potential from our onshore facilities' raw materials was thus not achieved.
Closer analysis of the primary potential of the Greenlandic raw materials shows that for around 40% of the raw materials, the utilisation ratio exceeds 90%, including for Greenland halibut.
There is a high degree of utilisation of cod by-products at the processing plants in Newfoundland, from where heads, carcasses and cod trimmings are sold for bait or for the pet food market. For several years, shellfish stock has been produced by evaporating the crab and prawn cooking broth.
Within the development of new products, several projects and tests have been carried out on both prawn and cod raw materials. Royal Greenland is thus involved in a four-year EU project, WaSeaBi, to analyse the potential use of side-streams in new product types, such as proteins and minerals, and other high-tech products. Other significant projects include tests to develop fish bait, which is a dried disc based on crab shells.
In Ilulissat, prawn shells are dried, to make prawn meal, which is a special product. However, there are still soluble and dispersed prawn elements that cannot be collected and which are discharged in wastewater. Previous trials have been run to extract this fraction by flotation, but the challenge is that a relatively large plant is required, while demand for the product that is extracted is actually declining.
Ambitions for 2030
Full utilisation of potential raw materials in the Group's onshore facilities and on its vessels.
