The project implemented by Alserco at the Bermeo cannery significantly reduces water consumption during the sterilisation process.
In addition to optimising the use of water, since July 2021 Serrats has had a photovoltaic installation that avoids the emission of 52 tonnes of CO2 per year.
As part of its commitment to the environment, Conservas Serrats has been working for years in different areas to minimise the impact of its activity. For example, more than 35% of the energy used in its factory in Bermeo comes from solar energy, thanks to the photovoltaic installation that was installed in July 2021 and which avoids the emission of 52 tonnes of CO2 per year. Now, the cannery is going one step further with a project to reduce water consumption during the sterilisation process.
In order to achieve this reduction in water consumption, Serrats worked with a company specialising in solutions for the food industry, Alserco, which has implemented a project that optimises the canning sterilisation process.
Usually, the sterilisation of preserves requires the product to be subjected to high temperatures and cooled quickly with mains water, which then has to be discarded because it comes into contact with the packaging. With the new system implemented in the Serrats Preserves factory, the water used during cooling does not come into contact with the product, which means that it can be used to repeat the process several times instead of having to be discarded.
Together with the reform of the machines so that the water does not come into contact with the packaging, a cooling circuit has been designed for the cooling water, which works by using two tanks (one for hot water and the other for cold water) and a cooling tower in the circuit between them, which allows the temperature of the liquid to be reduced and used again at a lower temperature. This results in a closed water circuit and a more than substantial reduction in the plant’s water consumption.
In addition to implementing this new optimised sterilisation system, Conservas Serrats has digitalised the factory and modernised its equipment. In this way, it provides versatility in the manufacture of different packaging and improves production capacity, while confirming its commitment to the environment.
Environmental commitment
The responsibility and awareness with the conservation and care of the environment are a fundamental part of the ethical code of Conservas Serrats.
Its commitment goes beyond the commitment to sustainable fisheries with the MSC blue seal and raising awareness in society about the importance of protecting the environment and the sustainability of our seas. Conservas Serrats also has a policy of “responsible use of energy”, a set of good practices aimed at saving energy and using renewable energy.
They also carry out responsible waste management, are partners of WWF, promote the circular economy in the manufacturing process… In short, small gestures with a big goal: to take care of the environment for today and for the future.
About Serrats: Founded in 1890 by José Serrats, Conservas Serrats (Hijos de José Serrats S.A.) is one of the leading canning companies in the Cantabrian Sea in the production of canned white tuna, light tuna and Cantabrian anchovies of the highest quality. All its products are made following a careful artisan process, perfected and passed down over five generations. This careful work together with the selection of the best raw materials – fish, oils and packaging – are the guarantee to achieve the objective of Conservas Serrats: preserves of exceptional quality.