Axel Brière Targets Quality and Competitiveness with Strategic Industrial Upgrades
In 2025, the French mussel processor Mussella, based in Pénestin, is demonstrating strong economic momentum and bold industrial ambition. According to Vincent Schumeng of Produit de la Mer (PDM), the company is investing decisively to deliver a protein that is “competitive, local, and high-quality.”
€100,000 Optical Sorting Technology Boosts Production Efficiency
The first major investment is the installation of an optical sorting machine valued at approximately €100,000. Manufactured by Chinese company Anysort, the equipment detects shell fragments in mussel meat with remarkable precision.
“This has changed our lives!” said Axel Brière, Managing Director of Mussella. “Out of 250,000 mussels, only 50 to 60 now contain a piece of shell — that’s ten times fewer than before. We’ve reached optimal production levels and tripled our time efficiency.”
Brière praised the reliability and expertise of his supplier, emphasizing the importance of the Franco-Chinese partnership established nearly two years ago. “Anysort manufactures exceptional industrial machinery at scale. We intend to maintain and strengthen this collaboration.”
February 2026: Automated Packaging to Standardize and Cut Costs
A second investment is scheduled for February 2026 with the installation of an automatic bagging machine from Wilpac, another China-based equipment manufacturer. The goal is to standardize packaging and streamline logistics.
“We will be able to offer three bag sizes within a single standardized carton. This will significantly reduce our operating costs,” Brière explained. “These investments allow us to remain competitive against Chilean mussel imports, meet customer expectations for quality, satisfy consumers, and address our HR constraints.”
WP-BF series Premade Pouch Rotary Packaging machine / WP-BF series premade pouch rotary vacuum packing machine. Photo: Wilpack
Despite broader concerns about the slowdown in industrial sectors due to weakened consumer demand, Brière remains optimistic about France’s manufacturing future.
“Deindustrialization is not inevitable! We must remain competitive, even if the industrial world is facing difficulties,” he said. He acknowledged that sourcing equipment from Chinese suppliers was a strategic decision driven by the need to maintain competitive pricing against imported products from Chile.
2026 Objective: Double Production Again
Looking ahead to 2026, Mussella has set an ambitious target: doubling production once more.
In 2025, the company processed 700 tonnes of raw mussels, equivalent to approximately 150 tonnes of shelled mussels, and reported that its annual revenue had doubled compared to the previous year.
Photo: Mussella
“The mussel is a competitive, local, high-quality protein,” Brière affirmed. “We will continue to meet the expectations of both our clients and consumers in terms of quality.”
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