100% Fish: How Iceland Ocean Cluster works to better utilize residual raw materials
When Seafood Next visited the Iceland Ocean Cluster, they gained insight into how Iceland is working purposefully to utilize marine resources for a sustainable seafood industry. Among other things, they learned about the 100% Fish project.
This spring, two Seafood Next groups visited Iceland as part of a module focusing on 100 percent utilization of raw materials and new value chains.
One of the highlights of the trip was a visit to Iceland Ocean Cluster , where participants gained insight into 100% Fish . This is about utilizing the whole fish – not just the fillet, but also residual raw material that has traditionally had low value.
100% Fish is an initiative from the Iceland Ocean Cluster with the goal of utilizing the whole fish, not just the fillet. Through research, technology development and close collaboration between companies, academia and start-ups, Iceland has managed to increase the utilization rate of whitefish to 80 percent. The average in Europe and North America is just over 50 percent, according to the Iceland Ocean Cluster .
Since the 1990s, the utilization of by-products has increased thirty-fold. From what was previously discarded, Icelandic innovators have developed products from, among other things, leather, bones and enzymes. Many of the products have been commercialized, launched into markets and contributed to both increased profitability and sustainability.
The experiences from 100% Fish clearly show how holistic resource utilization can be an important driver in the blue economy of the future.
Broad introduction to Icelandic innovation
During the visit, Alexandra Leeper, CEO of Iceland Ocean Cluster, gave an introduction to the Icelandic seafood industry. She explained how Iceland has developed a strong and innovative seafood sector, with a particular emphasis on value creation throughout the value chain and with 100% utilization of raw materials.
Through this Seafood Next module, participants have gained broad knowledge about how Iceland works holistically with innovation, sustainability and value creation.
