Innovative technologies for improving resource utilization in the Indo-European fish value chains

ReValue aims to contribute to achieving the SDG target on food loss reduction, by developing innovative technologies for the surimi industry. The project focusses on improved cold chain management and conversion of Rest Raw Material (RRM) and wash water into value added protein and oil ingredients for food and feed applications. ReValue has developed several key concepts and solutions to improve the resource efficiency in the seafood supply chains. The overall project approach is embedded in the circular economy thinking of reduce and reuse. The concepts for climate friendly refrigeration and cold chain management when implemented by the industry will lead to reduction in losses in the seafood supply chain, especially in the fishing and subsequent handling and logistics operations, which are common due to temperature fluctuations. The co-streams from seafood processing which cannot be used as the main product can be converted into value-added ingredients for food and feed through the implementation of ReValue solutions. To promote a relevant market uptake, ReValue outcomes are developed up to TRL 5-6 with their validation and demonstration in relevant environments facilitated by a strong industry involvement in the ReValue consortium (a Surimi processor in India and a food, feed and flavour manufacturer in Spain). The bio-economy business model is directed towards sustainable production via conversion of natural biomass and RRM into a range of food, health, and other industrial products. Reduction of losses and valorisation of RRM in the fish value chains is a global societal challenge, and at the same time a great opportunity for market competition. In this scenario, ReValue has the potential to achieve a huge market impact, drastically increasing the Surimi industry profitability. The average value of fish used for surimi will increase significantly if the RRM can be utilized in feed ingredients (and the value will be even higher for food applications). In particular, ReValue solutions contribute to quality enhancement through the improvement of processes and cold chain, and through the introduction of functional ingredients derived from RRM that can be used as nutritional supplements. Further exploitation should focus on the marketing of surimi-derived products, which can help to increase consumer awareness and create a wider acceptance of Indian surimi and the products derived from it in the European market.

The ReValue project has developed several key concepts and solutions to improve the resource efficiency in the seafood supply chains. The overall project approach is embedded in the circular economy thinking of reduce and reuse. The concepts for climate friendly refrigeration and cold chain management when implemented by the industry will lead to reduction in losses in the seafood supply chains, especially in the fishing and subsequent handling and logistics operations, which are common due to temperature fluctuations. The co-streams from seafood processing which cannot be used as the main product can be converted into value-added ingredients for food and feed through the implementation of ReValue solutions. Further exploitation should focus on the marketing of surimi-derived products, which can help to increase consumer awareness and create a wider acceptance of Indian surimi and the products derived from it in the European market.

There is an urgent need to provide food for the growing world population while at the same time tackling the problem of food loss at a global scale. India is a major producer and exporter of food products (ranking 6th in the world in 2013), and food processing is recognised as a priority sector in their new manufacturing policy. Food processing industry generates a variety of valuable Rest Raw Materials (RRM) from seafood, meat and fruits & vegetables processing that go unutilized. India, with a coastline of 8118 km and about 7 million hectares of inland water bodies produces nearly 10 million tonnes of fish annually and is a major supplier of fish to the world. Fish offers one of the fastest ways to address malnutrition and food security in the world but fish RRM are poorly utilized and huge amounts are discarded or turned into low-value products while there is a huge potential for their utilization into high value added products. ReValue will contribute to achieving the SDG target on food losses reduction, by developing innovative technologies for Surimi industry, namely reducing losses by improved cold chain management and efficient conversion of RRM and wash water into value added protein and oil ingredients for food and feed applications. Reduction of losses and valorisation of RRM in the fish value chains is a global societal challenge and at the same time a great competitiveness opportunity. The great impact of the Surimi industry on global food waste production, responsible for more than 3.5% of the global fish losses, is due to its low efficient processing that generates huge amount of RRM and WW. In this context, a series of innovations will enable ReValue to optimize the Surimi value chain including improved temperature management, reduction of the waste generated by processing, conversion of RRM and WW into high value-added ingredients for food and feed, and a business strategy for commercial exploitation of the project outcomes in India and Europe.