New cod packaging reduces climate footprint

Nofima has led the research of the SupremeFilet project which aims to promote whitefish products with a low environmental footprint. The first product developed consists of packaging material that can be recycled.

This new cod packaging is made mainly of polypropylene and with a thin barrier layer, it allows the preservation of the fish properties and its reuse for other packaging materials.

The project is funded by the Research Council of Norway and counts on the support of Fresh PL, Südpack, Multivac, Oda, and Norsus. Finally, Gunnar Klo AS processes and packages the fish.

Another advantage that this initiative brings is the simplification of product transport as senior researcher Erik Svanes at Norsus explained: "They pack and process once. This concept saves the environment for both packaging and transport."

Senior scientist Anlaug Ådland Hansen, who has been working on the SupremeFilet project, added: "The next thing that helps the climate is less transportation. Together, these measures have reduced the climate impact by 30%. “The new product concept has contributed to lower greenhouse gas emissions per kilo of product."

"It is already known that wild-caught whitefish have an average environmental impact that is significantly lower than meat," says Nofima senior scientist Anlaug Ådland Hansen.

According to Nofima, the greenhouse gas emissions would be about 30% lower than for the average cod on the market, for example. Compared to the average pork and chicken, they are around 55% lower.