Holzinger Fisch's energy requirement at night is covered by CO2-neutral electricity from hydropower.
The European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) has supported the Holzinger Fisch modernization to achieve CO2-neutral production whilst still expanding production capacity.
The Austrian fish processor has focused its transformation on using renewable energies, investing in new equipment and machines, and progressive digitalization.
The investment has amounted to €1,745 million and the EMFF has supported eight of these investments, totaling €282,000. The rest of the investors are the federal government and the province of Upper Austria.
According to the European institution, this helped Holzinger to adapt to the changes faster and with less risk.
In more detail, the processing transformation has consisted of a pond systems modernization and the renewal of a modern cold water recirculation system. In addition, it has also digitized administration and developed IT systems for streamlined operations.
Finally, Holzinger has made waste management a guiding principle to follow as slaughterhouse scraps become fishmeal, filleting leftovers to feed other animals, the system sorts collects, and recycles remaining waste and the packaging is completely reusable.
To sum up, a total of 600 products can be produced daily, with total company processing equalling 1,000 - 1,500 tonnes of freshwater fish annually.
In the wake of this, the company has developed the “Holzinger-F(r)ischebox” service, which delivers fresh, smoked, and frozen fish, Austria-wide within 24 hours. With a fully digital payment process, Holzinger can transmit to the consumer its products and philosophy.
"As fish processors, we live directly with, in, and from nature. The reason for our sustainability investments comes from this deep understanding of the basis of our existence," said Mr Bernd Holzinger, Deputy Managing Director.