Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19 and Brexit, Mowi’s new state-of-the-art feed mill in Scotland delivered on the company’s strategic aim to be self-sufficient for all feed requirements in Europe.
Based in Kyleakin on the Isle of Skye, the feed mill started production in the spring of 2019. After completing the commissioning phase, working closely with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), it moved into full production in 2019. With a team of 70, most of them local, the feed mill produces the full range of feed required by Mowi’s operations in Scotland, Ireland and the Faroe Islands. It will also deliver seawater and freshwater feed to the Norwegian operations.
Kyleakin produces feed for the company’s freshwater, seawater and organic farms. When operating at full capacity, it can produce up to 240,000 tons of feed pellets a year. In 2020, the team at the feed mill, under the leadership of Feed Operations director, Claes Jonermark, was able to adapt work patterns to meet government requirements relating to COVID-19 and ensure that enough feed was produced to mitigate against any potential disruption posed by Brexit.
The construction of the feed mill at Kyleakin was a significant investment for the company. Upwards of £100 million was spent on the construction of the feed mill, which was designed to be as efficient as possible, take account of future requirements of the business and reduce our dependency on road freight. A cornerstone of the infrastructure at Kyleakin was the refurbishment and extension of the pier. This enables to receive delivery of raw materials to produce the feed and despatch the final product by sea. With the recent completion of LNG commissioning, the feed mill now also produces lower carbon emissions. The LNG is also delivered by sea.
Much of the infrastructure is unique to Kyleakin feed mill including the unloader which features a carbon filter to remove odor from the tiniest of particles and ducting to ensure that air from both the raw material side as well as the processing side is passed through the biofilter to eliminate odor.
“The feed mill in Scotland has substantially increased the scope of products that we are now manufacturing and introduced diversity in the product mix as we tailor our products to meet the different needs of salmon product offerings including Label Rouge, Irish Organic Salmon and the MOWI Pure bespoke salmon,” the company said.
“Having two feed mills gives us complete control of the supply chain. By determining the raw material, recipes and nutrition used in the feed we can ensure we produce the healthiest salmon possible. Going forward our feed operations will grow in line with our farming operations in order to stay self-sufficient. Furthermore, Mowi Feed will continue to focus on operational improvements and cost optimization,” the company concluded.
