InnovaMar - from dream to reality

Harvesting and processing has been a key part of the SalMar Group’s strategy ever since the establishment of company in 1991. Since 1991 both market conditions, production technology in the industry and SalMar as a company have made considerable strides. SalMar has, after several years of detailed planning, decided to invest in what is intended to be the world’s most innovative and cost-effective facility for the landing, harvesting and processing of farmed salmon – InnovaMar.

Terrain model, InnovaMar
InnovaMar is built right next to SalMar’s existing facility at Nordskaget, Frøya. InnovaMar covers an area of 16 000 square meters, in comparison the current facility covers 3 000 square meters. Illustration: Øystein Thommesen AS

February 16th 2009 was a special day in SalMar’s almost 20-year history. Right next to SalMar’s existing processing plant and headquarters in Frøya, ground was broken for InnovaMar, a unique project with a total investment budget for buildings and equipment of approx. NOK 420 million.

The building that will house the facility will be owned by a real estate company in which SalMar will be one of three shareholders along with Kverva AS and Abra Norge AS. SalMar will invest in a state of the art machinery that will be installed on the facility’s 16 000 square meters. In comparison the current facility is 3 000 square meters.

InnovaMar will be able to harvest 60,000 tonnes of salmon per shift per year, of which a significant proportion will be processed further before being shipped to customers and consumers throughout the world. Innovative use of technology will ensure a better quality end product, lower costs and an improved working environment for employees.

Bjørn Sandberg, project leader InnovaMar
Civil engineer Bård Sandberg from Rambøll is the project leader for InnovaMar, one of the largest investments on the coast of Trøndelag, ever.
   InnovaMar, entrance
The main entrance connects the production area with the building housing the administration, canteen and the common areas. Illustration: Øystein Thommesen AS

Some of InnovaMar’s primary objectives are:
  • Ensure safe and ethical treatment of the salmon
  • Optimise the use of the entire salmon
  • Reduce production risk by having parallel production lines
  • Flexibility in processing to meet wide ranging customer demands
  • Increased control over production processes, storage and order handling
  • Production lines designed to optimize food safety and cleaning procedures

InnovaMar is scheduled to be fully operational during the second half of 2010.

A purchasing philosophy has been developed for InnovaMar which means that local suppliers are preferred as long as they are able to deliver and are competitive with respect to price and quality. As a result, the portacabin assembly containing offices and accommodation (44 separate rooms) was erected by local workers and will be operated by Frøya Football Club.

InnovaMar is big, both in terms of size and the level of ambition. It is probably the largest investment ever made on the Trøndelag coast, and its objective is clear: to be the world’s leading salmon harvesting and processing plant that will stand like a beacon in the industry for many years to come.