Author: Ísey Dís Hávarsdóttir

Matís' annual report for the year 2020 is now available.

The year 2020 was full of challenges in Matís' operations like other companies, but it is safe to say that various large and important milestones have been reached.

The annual report paints a picture of the operations, which in addition to traditional and statutory operations involved finding ways to maintain and expand the company's work in new and demanding conditions.

The report is divided into the following sections and can be viewed in its entirety by clicking here.

• Address by the Chairman of the Board
• Address by the CEO
• The role and operation of Matís
• Extensive collaboration
• Value creation, public health and food security
• Research and innovation projects
• Service measurements
• Catering, consulting, education and training
• Support for the government and committee work
• Food security and priority services
• Monitoring of undesirable substances in seafood
• Matís all over the country
• Research collaboration with educational institutions

Discussions about microplastics have been prominent in the media and public debate in recent years. Earlier this month, a scientific article appeared in the journal Sustainability which shows that microplastics can be found in Vatnajökull and scientists conclude that microplastics can also be found in all other glaciers in the country.

Microplastic is a synonym for tiny plastic particles of various kinds. The particles are less than 5 mm in diameter and many are so small that they are not visible to the naked eye. Plastic can be produced specifically in these small particles to be placed in various cosmetics to achieve a rough texture, for example in creams or soaps. However, microplastics are becoming more common when larger plastic units decompose in nature. Research has shown that microplastics are found in every nook and cranny of the world. In the ocean, in the atmosphere, in the Arctic ice and in the bodies of humans and animals.  

Numerous studies have been conducted on microplastics and their existence in the world in recent years, but in the latest issue of the scientific journal Sustainability published an article by scientists at Reykjavík University, the University of Gothenburg and the Icelandic Meteorological Office, which shows that microplastics can be found in the snow layers of Vatnajökull.

The samples examined were three-meter-long drill cores from the middle of the glacier, so it is likely that the plastic particles reached the glacier with wind or precipitation. The microplastic was of various shapes and sizes, and these results indicate that there is ample reason to study microplastics in the world, even in the most remote places, and its transport routes further.

Matís is already leading a joint Nordic project called NordMar Plastic where the main research topics are plastic and its effects in the Arctic. The project has formed a strong, interdisciplinary team of experts and aims to collect and review available data on methods, research results and monitoring of plastic use and pollution.

The aim is also to create a strong, international network of parties related to the issue in order to achieve coordination, cooperation and synergies.

NordMar Plastic focuses on examining the situation in the Arctic and assessing whether there is reason to set a specific policy in this area. The project also focuses on raising public awareness of the issue and creating educational materials and practical projects for children in primary schools to reduce plastic use and recycle plastic.

Further information about NordMar Plastic can be found on the project's website by clicking here.

Contact

Ólafur Reykdal

Project Manager

olafur.reykdal@matis.is

In February 2021, the Agricultural University of Iceland published the report Food security in Icelandi. Many remarkable things are stated in the report and cereals can be taken as an example. It is pointed out that the domestic production of cereals for human consumption is only about 1% of total consumption. This is a very small percentage that could be higher as conditions for production in this country exist.

In recent years, Matís has been responsible for several research and innovation projects on grain and its potential in Iceland. An example of this is the project on cereals in the Arctic but there are also various projects on Icelandic barley that have been carried out in collaboration with the Agricultural University and other domestic and foreign parties. In addition, co-operation has now begun on research into the use of Icelandic oats. 

Barley and oats have various interesting properties for food production, and research at Matís has discussed the value chain of grain from grain cutting to food production. Barley is used worldwide for the production of barley malt, which is one of the most important raw materials for the production of alcoholic beverages. A considerable amount of barley malt is imported into the country, but more Icelandic barley could be used in the beverage industry in Iceland, which has been growing rapidly in recent years. A project is currently underway at Matís where experiments are being made with malting Icelandic barleyi. 

The health of the barley has been demonstrated by measurements of beta-glucans, but they are water-soluble fiber materials and a report on these measurements can be found here: Icelandic barley for food production. These fiber substances help lower blood cholesterol and reduce blood sugar fluctuations. Wheat does not have these properties and therefore the health value of baking products can be increased by using barley instead of part of the flour. There are great opportunities for innovation that could be used in any kind of baking industry. 

Oats are well-known ingredients in a variety of foods such as oatmeal, oatmeal and oatmeal. At Sandhólsbúið near Kirkjubæjarklaustur, energetic pioneering work has been done in the cultivation of oats and oat flakes from the farm are a popular product in stores. The Agricultural University has begun experiments with the most suitable oat varieties for Icelandic conditions. Sandhólsbúið is also in collaboration with Matís and work is underway to develop an oat drink from their own production.

Matís has historically published a variety of information on the development of grain foods. The most comprehensive information can be found at website of the Nordic Grain Project.

Aurora Seafood and Matís have compiled a report on indirect fishing for crucian carp off Iceland, possible direct fishing and the possibility of value creation from products.

A number of captains engaged in plow fishing were interviewed, where they were asked for their opinion on the possibilities of using crucian carp and whether they considered direct fishing likely to be successful. The captain's views were very different and it is not possible to talk about the results of that survey.

During the measurements, it was disappointing how high the amount of cadmium was measured in crucian carp, both caught off the east coast of Iceland and the west coast. The permitted levels of cadmium for food products are only 0.5 mg in Art. but the measured quantity was 6.3 to the east and 2.5 to the west. Proximity to volcanic activity is known to cause cadmium pollution in slow-moving demersal fish, and conditions in Iceland are exactly that.

It was also disappointing how quickly the crucian carp decomposed and the samples became mashed due to enzyme activity in one to two days. The protein content of crucian carp is only about 12%, but the water content is about 67%. Based on these results, it is not considered likely that cruciferous fish can be used for human consumption. Aurora Seafood has exported frozen crucian carp to the United States, but it hardly returns the cost of packaging, freezing and transport, so there is no value creation in the production. 

The project that included this preliminary study of fishing and processing of crucian carp off Iceland was supported by the Food Fund (AVS Fisheries Research Fund). It would have been impossible to carry out this project without support.

A final report on the preliminary study of fishing and processing of crucian carp can be found here.

Matís' office in East Iceland has moved its operations to new premises at Bakkavegur 5 in Neskaupstaður. The building is called Múlinn-Samvinnuhús.

The building, which partly housed the retail space, has been overhauled and an extension that accommodates a variety of commercial activities. The building is divided into office clusters, specialized laboratories and open spaces, but in addition to Matís, Origo, Deloitte, Stapi Pension Fund, Advania, Hafró, Mast, Austurbrú, Nox health and Náttúrustofa Austurlands use their work facilities in Múlan. 

The office was closed for a two-week period during transport from 15 February to 26 February. At that time, the final touches were put on the installation of fittings, sinks and electricity in the space that Matís rents. In addition, staff used the time to put equipment and tools in place and perform measurements and tests on equipment to make sure everything worked as it should and in accordance with the requirements of the laboratory's accreditation body. 

Research was reopened at Matís in East Iceland on Monday 1 March, in time for the current capelin roe season, which is usually a busy time at the establishment.

The work facilities are all exemplary, as the pictures show.

On Friday 19 March, Oddur Már Gunnarsson, CEO of Matís ohf. against Gunnar Þorgeirsson, chairman of the board of Garðyrkjuskóli Íslands, at Matís' premises at Vínlandsleið. The purpose of the visit was to discuss the continuation of the collaborative projects of the two parties in the field of horticulture and related fields and the many possibilities inherent in the collaboration.

Over the years, Matís has worked on various projects related to cultivation and agriculture in collaboration with both domestic and foreign parties. With an increased emphasis on environmental issues, public health and sustainability in society, the need for further knowledge and more diverse activities in this field has steadily increased. It is therefore hoped that increased collaboration between Matís and the Icelandic School of Horticulture will lead to even greater growth when it comes to research and innovation in this field. 

At the meeting, Oddur Már and Gunnar signed the following declaration of intent:

,, Matís ohf. Id. 670906-0190 hereby confirms its willingness to increase collaboration on research and development projects in horticulture in collaboration with the representative of the Icelandic Horticultural School, ID no. 560720-0410 and related parties.

In recent years, Matís has collaborated with a number of parties in the field of Icelandic horticulture, and that collaboration has been characterized by professional ambition, mutual trust and respect in communication. "

Gunnar Þorgeirsson expects benefits from the collaboration and in an interview with Bændablaðið that came out this week, he says :. "There are many tasks waiting to be solved and we have the experience that within Matís there is both professional ability and collaboration ability. We are therefore looking forward to the sequel ".

Bændablaðið's coverage of Matís' increased collaboration with the Icelandic Horticultural School can be read here.

Matís' experimental farm conducts a variety of feed experiments where, among other things, new protein sources or additives are being tested that have a positive effect on growth and quality. These experiments are either carried out as a service to feed producers and aquaculture companies, or as part of research projects funded by funds.

Many of the world's largest feed producers in the world are among Matís' customers in this field, as there are relatively few parties in the world that can offer growth and digestibility experiments, measurements of the feed's effects on the chemical and physical properties of the fish, and sensory evaluation. One of Matís' customers in this field is the Austrian company Agrana, which produces a wide range of food and feed. Among the products they are currently developing with is Betaine, which is mostly made from sugar beets and, according to them, has a positive effect on the growth and quality of animals, including in aquaculture. Agrana has now received a patent for the active ingredient ActiBeet® and this winter asked Matís to experiment with the ingredient in feed for white-legged shrimp (warm-water shrimp). The results of the experiment were positive and now Agrana is in the process of reporting the results to feed and aquaculture producers around the world. This shows well how Matís' research affects around the world and contributes to increasing value for partners, and improving food security, food security and public health for society as a whole.

More information can be found on the website Agrana in addition, you can register for the online presentation that will take place at Agrana on 19 May.

The scientific journal Climatic Change recently published an article describing a systematic approach and guidance on how the fisheries and aquaculture industries can adapt their activities to the effects of climate change. Matís' employees, Ragnhildur Friðriksdóttir and Jónas R. Viðarsson, undertook the work behind the methodology described in the article, which took place within the project. ClimeFish which ended last year.

The ClimeFish co-operation project, funded by the European Research Program (Horizon 2020), was completed last year, but the results and products of the project continue to appear in scientific journals around the world. One of these was published recently in the scientific journal Climatic Change, a journal specializing in research and descriptions of climate change, its causes, consequences and interactions. The article in question discusses the importance of the fisheries sector considering measures to adapt its activities to the changing environment due to climate change and the challenges and opportunities inherent in such changes. Guidelines are provided for a three-phase process that aims to 1) assess the main risks and opportunities facing the business based on future scenarios, 2) identify adaptation needs, adaptability and appropriate adaptation measures, and 3) set up and finance an adaptation plan. This methodology was tested and proven in seven European case studies in aquaculture and fisheries in the ClimeFish project, but it was Matís who led the work, as well as the development and implementation of the methodology.

Climate change has already affected various aspects of the activities of fisheries and aquaculture companies, and research indicates that such changes will increase in the near future. Although such changes will vary in nature and scope depending on the region, activities and position in the value chain, it is clear that they will be able to have a significant impact on the activities of fisheries and aquaculture companies, both negatively and positively. Examples of such changes in the fisheries sector include the transfer of important stocks, such as changes in stock size, distribution area or cargo pattern, dangerous and demanding conditions at sea, increased fluctuations in market prices, as well as increased complexity and tensions between coastal states and fleets. . All of these are examples of effects that are already noticeable here in the Northwest Atlantic and include both challenges and opportunities, but can affect areas and communities differently. Examples of the effects of climate change on aquaculture are, for example, a decline or new opportunities in production, damage to infrastructure due to severe weather, fluctuations in market prices, production losses due to diseases, toxic algae and parasites, reduced access to fresh water and feed and reduced productivity due to changes in aquaculture.

While the vast majority of European countries have presented adaptation plans for climate change, this work is nearing completion in Iceland and there is little or no overview of possible climate-related damage or adaptation needs within the Icelandic fisheries sector in the coming years or decades. Matís hopes to raise funds to utilize the methodology developed within the ClimeFish project and transfer it to the Icelandic fisheries and aquaculture industry. This would make it possible to assess the need for adaptation and lay the foundation for an adaptation plan for one of the most important industries in Iceland. Such work would yield important results for the industries in question and Icelandic society, among other things through mapping the impact of climate change on the Icelandic fisheries and aquaculture based on future scenarios, assessment of the main risks and opportunities based on environmental, economic and social factors, assessment of the vulnerability of the industry and the various activities within it, as well as information on accessible and effective adaptation measures against the most sensitive aspects of the activity. Ragnhildur will lead a seminar on the direct and indirect effects of climate change on the fisheries sector at the Fisheries Conference, which will be held on 11-12 November this year. She has recruited important men and women from industry, Icelandic administration and science and is therefore a good opportunity to learn about the need for adaptation to climate change within the Icelandic fisheries sector and start the discussion for real in this country.

Here you can find the article in question in the magazine Climate Change.