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"Icelandic seaweed is an underutilized resource, at least in Iceland, but there are various things related to algae and they are relevant in our research," says Jón Trausti Kárason, an expert who is one of those associated with algae research at Matís.

Jón Trausti says that about 8 researchers at Matís work primarily on algae research, although more are related to those projects in one way or another. Among the recent products based on algae research by Matís scientists are skin products that the start-up company Marinox has launched, but they contain bioactive antioxidants that are made from seaweed and are considered particularly good for the skin. Among other products that are expected to be on the market soon, Jón Trausti mentions algae skyr and barley paste that is added with algae.

"In fact, it was a group of students who were with us last summer that started the development of the algae cloud and the product competed on behalf of Iceland in Ecotrophelia, which is a student competition in environmentally friendly innovation in food production. This went so well that the development work was continued and now the algae cloud is coming to market. Here is food on the go that is skyr and kelp flour in the base but flavored with blueberries and honey, "says Jón Trausti.

For further information Jón Trausti Kárason.

It can be said that this is a kind of umbrella for many small projects that are carried out within Matís in collaboration with companies and individuals around the country and aim to increase the value of seafood.

"The Fisheries Project Fund enabled us to give new and small projects a go without having to seek support for each of them through applications to larger funds," says Páll Gunnar Pálsson, project manager, about the creation of the Marine Products Product Development Center.

"It is often the case that we here at Matís are in contact with individuals or companies who need help to implement an idea or help to complete projects. They are often of such a nature that they are too small or have not reached the point where they match the emphasis of the competition funds due to the grant allocations. We felt that there was a great need for a new channel for these projects, as we at Matís have a lot to offer with our expertise and facilities. This can range from research or analysis to consulting on housing, technical solutions, product development or marketing. Basically, these are small projects, limited in time, but they can certainly expand in the future and then move to the level that suits the support system of the competition funds, "says Páll Gunnar.

Páll Gunnar says that the projects that the Product Development Center for Seafood is working on are very diverse. Some of them have already returned products to the market and are even the basis for the establishment of small companies.

 "Examples are the kelp skyr that will soon go into production, UNU skin products that have been placed on the market and are based on the use of bioactive substances from seaweed, and Gunna's Gunna á Rif, which received assistance with product development and quality control. This year, the projects are well into their forties and are working on improved utilization of grayling, seaweed supplements, fresh liver oil, live lobster packaging, seafood information for marketing and sales companies to name a few.

 The location of Matís' offices across the country has made it easier for entrepreneurs to seek cooperation and support. We welcome everyone and strive to strengthen the project ideas with our expertise so that the result will be increased value of seafood. "

For further information Páll Gunnar.

Matís and the company Grímur kokkur have worked together on projects to enrich seafood with biomaterials such as algae concentrate with defined antioxidant activity, hydrolysates to increase protein content and fish oils to increase omega-3 fatty acids first in a project funded by the AVS Fund (R 041-10) from 2010 to 2012.

About a year ago, a two-year Nordic project funded by Nordic Innovation began. The Nordic project also includes companies that produce food additives, the start-up company Marinox, which produces algae powder, the company Norður with protein hydrolysates and the Norwegian company BioActiveFoods, which has recently launched tasteless omega-3 powders. The project also includes the research company VTT in Finland as well as a Finnish company that produces seafood.

The company Grímur kokkur, which is nationally known for its seafood products, recently moved its operations to new premises in Eyjar, which are completely furnished to the company's needs. Chef Gísli Gíslason has also started working in the family business and will promote continued product development and innovation. In the Nordic project, the product development of enriched seafood is in full swing and two master's students at the Faculty of Food and Nutrition at the University of Iceland in collaboration with the Nutrition Laboratory will work on their final projects within the project. High hopes are pinned on the results of this project, where innovation and food companies work together in connection with universities and knowledge companies.   

News on the Island.

Photo taken at a meeting yesterday Sigurður Gíslason and Grímur Gíslason from Grímur kokki, Emilía Martinsdóttir, Kolbrún Sveinsdóttir, Rósa Jónsdóttir and Valgerður Lilja Jónsdóttir master student.

For further information Emilia Martinsdóttir at Matís.

HACCP courses will be held at Matís on the 6th and 7th of February.

This is a detailed two-day course where, among other things, the main dangers in food and the first steps in setting up the HACCP system will be covered.

The course will be held at Matís' premises, Vínlandsleið 12, 6 and 7 February from 9:00 to 16:00 both days.

At the end of 2012, a decision was made to hire a joint employee with the University Association of the South for the Matís food factory in Flúðir.

Haraldur Hallgrímsson, division manager of Innovation and Consumers, says this is a very important step in the development of the food factory and a sign of its increased value in innovation and the development of food processing in the South.

"The employee of the food factory will map and support the development of food-related studies in the area, gather information about the needs of the companies and work with them, as well as handle the projects that are directly related to the food factory. This fits in very well with the emphasis we have in the food factories and I appreciate that in the South there are very great opportunities for Matís to support progress in food processing. We at Flúðir are at the heart of vegetable production in Iceland and one of the things we are looking at is to utilize experience that we can transfer from the fishing industry to that sector, for example in terms of processing methods, cooling, distribution technology and so on.

I believe that vegetable production will grow in the South in the coming years and we also see opportunities for innovation related to both agriculture and fisheries in the area. The grain farm is an example of this and in this context one can point to the production of the farmers in Þorvaldseyri. Matís' food factory in the South has therefore started well in the first year of operation and we are taking steps to strengthen it even further, "says Haraldur.

For further information Haraldur Hallgrímsson.

Matís has an office in Skagafjörður. The so-called Biotechnology Center is located there and the bioactivity of the various substances from the Icelandic sea is studied there.

What is also interesting about the establishment is how high the level of education Matís employees have. Of the five employees who work there, three have a master's degree and two have a doctorate. With such knowledge, it is possible to carry out multifaceted and interesting activities that are important for the local environment and no less for the country as a whole.

Matís' activities at Líftæknismiðjan are multifaceted. First, Matís has set up a specialized laboratory in the field of biotechnology and biochemicals. Secondly, Matís operates a pilot plant in the processing hall of Líftæknismiðjan, where the company Iceprotein ehf. has built up its operations. Finally, Matís' staff at Líftæknismiðjan works with companies in Skagafjörður and NV-landi on various improvement and optimization projects.

With Líftæknismiðjan, research facilities have been created with associated processing facilities where scientists and pioneers in biotechnology can develop their products and processing processes in collaboration with Matís. The Biotechnology Center's laboratory is working on measuring the bioactive properties of biomaterials from Icelandic nature. The biotechnology center is open to all Icelanders, and individuals and companies can have facilities there for a shorter period of time for product production. The workshop will be a kind of hatchery for new start-up companies in biotechnology and important in shortening the process from idea to market. By choosing the location of Líftæknismiðjan, one looks at the local area, which is Skagafjörður's food pantry.

Targeted development of research facilities is taking place at Líftæknismiðja Matís, which is already a participant in extensive multinational collaboration. The biotechnology center is intended to contribute specialized research facilities, development facilities with production licenses and expertise in future collaborative projects. The processing hall of the Biotechnology Center includes facilities for protein isolation and drying. The biotechnology center is intended to work in close collaboration with food companies in the country.

A video of the establishment can be found here.

Matís' station manager in Sauðárkrókur is Arnljótur Bjarki Bergsson, division manager of Vinnsla, value added and fire.

Matís in Sauðárkrókur:

Háeyri 1, 550 Sauðárkrókur

Employees:

• Arnljótur B. Bergsson, M.Sc., division manager, phone 422 5013
• Hólmfríður Sveinsdóttir, PhD, specialist, phone 422 5064
• Patricia Y. Hamaguchi PhD, Specialist, Phone 422 5041
• Hilma Eiðsdóttir Bakken, M.Sc., researcher, phone 422 5064
• Annabelle Vrac, M.Sc., researcher, phone 422 5064

At Matís, emphasis is placed on utilization and market thinking in all projects and activities of the company, because the rapid dissemination and utilization of knowledge is no less important than the basic research itself when it comes to products on the market.

Matís has great opportunities to implement and market the results of research and development projects, which leads to increased value creation for the Icelandic industries and to prosperity for the public in Iceland.

Value creation is therefore a key word in all of Matís' work, whether it is in collaboration with parties in Iceland or abroad. Here you can see a few examples of projects that Matís has had a role to play and have already returned value to the parties involved in the projects, whether looking at Matís as a company, its employees, customers or owners, ie. of the Icelandic state.