EVi has been designed as a platform for future advancements that will help salmon processors remain competitive and sustainable in the years ahead

JBT Marel Revolutionizes Salmon Processing with Intelligent Gutting Machine

ICELAND
Thursday, August 21, 2025, 00:10 (GMT + 9)

The New EVi System, a Result of a Three-Year Development, Marks the Company's Entry into the Primary Processing Segment with Launch Partner Bakkafrost

In a significant move to advance the seafood processing industry, JBT Marel has unveiled EVi, a new, intelligent, and fully automated salmon gutting machine. The launch, announced at the Seafood Processing Global Expo in Barcelona in May 2025, marks the company's official entry into the primary processing segment.

Photo: JBT Marel Corporation

Developed over a three-year period in close collaboration with industry leaders, the EVi is designed to address key challenges faced by processors today: the need for greater efficiency, higher quality, and improved sustainability. The machine is engineered to set new industry benchmarks by combining mechanical precision with advanced proprietary vision technology.

A New Chapter in Automation

The EVi represents a new chapter in salmon primary processing. The machine is powered by AQi, a vision technology that automatically measures and detects the critical anatomy of each individual fish. This allows for precise cutting and removal of viscera while simultaneously inspecting gutting results to identify any defects. Each fish is then routed to the correct location, ensuring consistent quality and maximizing raw material utilization.

Photo: JBT Marel Corporation

According to JBT Marel's Director of Service for Fish, Diego Lages, the company’s expansion into salmon gutting was a strategic decision to fill a critical gap in its portfolio, building on its strong reputation in secondary processing.

Built for Excellence, Proven in the Real World

The journey to bring EVi to market has been defined by rigorous, real-world testing. Throughout its prototype development, the machine was tested with partners in multiple countries to ensure it could handle a wide variety of raw material sizes and conditions.

Photo: JBT Marel Corporation

The final and most demanding stress tests were conducted in collaboration with Bakkafrost, a renowned salmon producer from the Faroe Islands and a long-standing JBT Marel partner since 2007. The success of these trials led to Bakkafrost signing the first official sales agreement for the EVi at the Seafood Global Barcelona event. The machine is now fully integrated into Bakkafrost's production line, delivering strong results and confirming its readiness for a broader market release.

Photo: JBT Marel Corporation

The design of the EVi also prioritizes operational excellence and hygiene. By incorporating a compact, parallel flow, it meets market demands for both throughput and a smaller footprint. The design includes lane redundancy, ensuring that even in the rare event of a breakdown, at least 50% of capacity remains available. Critical electronics are housed in cabinets above the wet area, and the open design allows for 360° access for maintenance and cleaning, supporting the highest standards of food safety.

This launch reinforces JBT Marel's commitment to innovation and its strategic vision to provide comprehensive solutions for the food processing industry. The EVi is not just a machine; it is a platform designed for future advancements that will help salmon processors remain competitive and sustainable for years to come.

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