News

Trade in lamb in blockchain technology

Matís and Advania want to boost trade in agricultural products with a solution based on blockchain technology. The solution will promote traceability so that consumers are informed about the origin and journey of the product.

Matís and Advania have agreed to use the revolutionary blockchain technology to create a platform for trading in Icelandic agricultural products. Blockchain is the technology on which Bitcoin e-currency trading is based. One of its main advantages is to show almost unquestionable traceability. Therefore, the technology is very suitable in trade where the origin and travel of the product matters, such as in trade in agricultural products.

Consumers want to be informed about the origin of food and have long called for being able to trade directly with agricultural products with farmers. Advania and Matís therefore intend to create a new platform based on blockchain technology and will be available to the public this autumn. People are also given the opportunity to get an overview of lamb production from the website www.matarlandslagid.is which contains detailed information on the uniqueness of farmers and their cultivation. Consideration will also be given to utilizing the solution in the new food market in Hofsós. 

The idea is to promote opportunities for innovation and specialization in agriculture. The forum also promotes transparency and honesty in the food trade. According to the agreement, Advania will provide a system based on blockchain technology that will be used to securely record information on farmers' products from the Matís database.

"It is exciting to use futuristic technology to promote new business practices in food production and increase the options for farmers and consumers. Advania's experts intend to build their first solution with a blockchain for this fun project and we intend to become a leading force in the use of this technology in Iceland, "says Ægir Már Þórisson, CEO of Advania. 

"There is certainly a reason to focus on innovation in lamb production. It was therefore an obvious advantage when Advania proposed cooperation in the field of blockchain, as we believe technology can increase dialogue between farmers and consumers significantly, reduce the likelihood of food crimes and projects of this kind being a springboard for Icelandic food producers and technology companies ", says Sveinn Margeirsson CEO Matís.

In the later stages of the project, blockchain technology is being used to document sheep grazing and prevent overgrazing on land, but Landgræðslan has already begun work on preparing such a project in collaboration with sheep farmers.

News

Optimization in the bleeding of salmonids

A new project has just begun at Matís. The project focuses on the best bleeding of salmonids, as there is considerable value that is created and increased with good bleeding.

Objectives of the project Optimization in the bleeding of salmonids is to improve the bleeding of salmonids by improving existing methods and developing an efficient way to purify processing water generated during slaughter, bleeding and gutting. The intention is to develop a method that preserves bioactive substances from processing water that can be used in valuable products, but such a method ensures product quality and promotes environmentally friendly production. 

We will start a tunnel collection where, among other things, we will look at what the Norwegians have been doing when it comes to bleeding salmon. The differences between different bleeding methods will be examined, but in addition the chemical composition of the blood will be investigated with chemical analyzes carried out at Matís' chemical laboratory.

The project is carried out in collaboration with Arnarlax, Arctic Protein and the University of Iceland and the project manager is Gunnar Þórðarson at Matís. In addition to him, the project involves Matís Magnea G. Karlsdóttir, Hildur Inga Sveinsdóttir, Ásbjörn Jónsson and Sigurjón Arason.

The project began last April. and ends in September 2020 and is funded by the Environmental Fund for Aquaculture.

News

Shortness of breath and HIV: there are many similarities between responsibilities

A new article was published in the international scientific journal Icelandic Agricultural Sciences. The article, which is a summary article, is called Shortness of breath and HIV: There are many similarities between responsibilities and is by Valgerður Andrésdóttir. The summary of the article states: Shortness-of-breath virus infects sheep and mainly causes pneumonia (shortness of breath) and encephalitis (withered). The virus is a lentivirus that causes a slow-growing disease and is closely related to the HIV virus. 

The viruses have many things in common, such as the organization of genetic material, the activity and type of viral proteins, the multiplication process, the host's response to infection and the dormant infection, which the host never gets rid of. Both viruses infect the cells of the immune system; dyspnoea virus infects phagocytes, whereas HIV infects both phagocytes and T-lymphocytes. In the review article, various similarities with these viruses are discussed.  

Withering and shortness of breath are sheep diseases that came to the country with the import of Karakúlfé in 1933 and caused a great deal of livelihood in the Icelandic sheep farming. As a result, in 1948 the Keldur Experimental Station was established to carry out research on these and other animal diseases, but withered and shortness of breath was eliminated with cuts that ended in 1965. Björn Sigurðsson, the first director of the Experimental Station, directed research on these diseases, and set presented theories about a new category of infectious diseases, slow-moving infectious diseases. The dyspnoea virus is in this category but also the HIV virus and research on the dyspnoea virus has provided important information on the biology of HIV.

It is a great blessing to have received this overview article, which is basically based on some of the most remarkable research and discoveries that have come from Icelandic scholars.

News

Value from thermophilic bacteria

Contact

Antoine Moenaert

Ph.D. Student

antoine@matis.is

A new project has just started at Matís. The project is about value from thermophilic bacteria is a 3-year research project where it is investigated whether it is possible to use carbohydrates made from seaweed to produce valuable compounds.

One of the most important tasks of today's biotechnology is to develop efficient and effective production methods for valuable biomass from sustainable biomass, in order to reduce pollution and counteract the overexploitation of natural resources that are not inexhaustible. To date, large algae have not been used as raw materials in the production of valuable substances in the biotechnology industry. They are rich in carbohydrates and as such they are optimal in the production of various valuables.

The project is funded by the Rannís Research Fund and the project is woven into two other projects at Matís, the projects MacroFuel and ThermoFactories and the project is based on decades of research and experience by Matís specialists in biotechnology of thermophilic bacteria

The project formally began on 1 April 2018. and therefore ends March 31, 2021.

Part of the project is for Antoine Moenaert's doctoral degree at Matís, but Antoine's supervisor is Guðmundur Óli Hreggviðsson and the professional leader of the project is Ólafur Héðinn Friðjónsson.

Project overview - author Antoine Moenaert.

News

Responsible food production - Iceland and the global goals of the United Nations

Co-operation Forum on Food Land Iceland will hold a conference on responsible food production and the United Nations' global goals, on Thursday 31 May in Harpa at 13.00-16.00.

The conference will focus on how companies in the food sector can adopt responsible production methods, for example by increasing sustainability, reducing waste, increasing energy efficiency, improving resource utilization and managing the environment.

Serena Brown, Director of Sustainable Development at the consulting firm KPMG in England, will give a talk on the UN's global goals and sustainable development. Among other things, it will discuss the opportunities for companies in the food sector to assimilate its value. KPMG's field of sustainable development has for years researched and advised companies and institutions to implement responsible production methods in their operations.

Sveinn Margeirsson, CEO of Matís, talks about the competitive advantage on the basis of responsibility and disclosure, and Einar Snorri Magnússon at Coca Cola European Partners talks about his company's activities in this area. Heiðrún Lind Marteinsdóttir at SFS talks about responsible fishing and in the second part of the conference, experiences will be told from various sources, including agriculture, industry, hotel management and land reclamation.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, or the Global Goals, adopted at the 2015 UN General Assembly, herald global progress. They concern society in the broadest sense, such as production methods, energy use, cooperation, the eradication of poverty and hunger, and should ensure good health and well-being, to name but a few. The goals are seventeen in number along with 169 sub-goals and the countries of the world must achieve them by 2030.

The conference will discuss in detail how the goals affect Icelandic food production, from strategy to actions involving companies, institutions and the government. Efforts will be made to shed light on the opportunities and challenges that the goals of Icelandic food production have.

There is no entrance fee to the event and it is open to everyone. The moderator is Elín Hirst, a media woman. Registration is on the website si.is.

The co-operation forum Matvælalandið Ísland is run by the Farmers' Association, the University of Iceland, Íslandsstofa, Matís, Matarauður Íslands, the Icelandic Tourism Association, the Icelandic Fisheries Association and the Icelandic Industry Association.

Agenda

Kl. 13.00 Presentation and presentation of the Ecotrophelia Ísland award
Kristján Þór Júlíusson, Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture

Matvælalandið Ísland: Competitive advantage based on responsibility and information
Sveinn Margeirsson, CEO of Matís

The Sustainable Development Goals: Opportunities for the Icelandic Food Industry
Serena Brown, Director, Sustainable Development KPMG International

The road ahead
Einar Snorri Magnússon, CEO of Coca Cola European Partners in Iceland

Responsible fishing
Heiðrún Lind Marteinsdóttir, CEO of SFS

Experience stories from various sources

  • Arnheiður Hjörleifsdóttir, farmer in Bjarteyjarsandur
  • Eva María Sigurbjörnsdóttir, Eimverk's production manager
  • Bryndís Marteinsdóttir, project manager at Landgræðsla ríkisins
  • Ólafur Helgi Kristjánsson, chef at Hótel Saga
  • Guðrún Hafsteinsdóttir, Marketing Director of Kjörís

Board of Directors: Elín Hirst media actress

Harpa - Kaldalón
on Thursday, May 31st
at 13.00-16.00

The conference is free and open to everyone, but it is necessary to register on the website of the Confederation of Icelandic Industries, www.si.is.

News

A unique opportunity to present Icelandic views

A very interesting workshop was held at Matís' premises recently. week. Nordic Innovation (NI) is working on policy and research emphases in the field of business and innovation in the near future and is interested in receiving from stakeholders, such as companies, materials and suggestions on possible topics and projects.

It is worth noting that NI has three interdisciplinary themes in funding Nordic innovation, covering a) bioeconomy / circular economy, b) health and quality of life and b) mobility, connectivity and transport ( e. mobility, connections and logistics). As part of NI's strategic planning work, they asked Matís to organize a workshop on 14 May at the company's headquarters.

Many Icelandic companies attended the workshop, as this is a unique opportunity to present Icelandic views so that it will be a working way for Icelanders to apply for Nordic research, business and innovation calls when the time comes. 

News

Responsible food production - Iceland and the global goals of the United Nations

Co-operation Forum on Food Land Iceland will hold a conference on responsible food production and the UN's global goals, on Thursday 31 May in Harpa at 13.00-16.00. Registration here.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals or the Global Goals, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015, herald global progress. They concern society in the broadest sense, such as production methods, energy use, cooperation, the eradication of poverty and hunger, and should ensure good health and well-being, to name but a few. The goals are seventeen in number along with 169 sub-goals and the countries of the world must achieve them by 2030.

A conference is called to look at how the goals relate Icelandic food production, from strategy to action by companies, institutions and governments. Efforts will be made to shed light on the opportunities and challenges that the goals of Icelandic food production have.

The co-operation is run by the Farmers' Association of Iceland, the University of Iceland, Íslandsstofa, Matís, Matarauður Íslands, the Icelandic Tourism Association, the Icelandic Fisheries Association and the Confederation of Icelandic Industries.

Agenda
Kl. 13.00 Presentation and presentation of the Ecotrophelia Ísland award
Kristján Þór Júlíusson, Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture

Matvælalandið Ísland: Competitive advantage based on responsibility and information
Sveinn Margeirsson, CEO of Matís

The Sustainable Development Goals: Opportunities for the Icelandic Food Industry
Serena Brown, Director, Sustainable Development KPMG International

The road ahead
Einar Snorri Magnússon, CEO of Coca Cola European Partners in Iceland

Responsible fishing
Heiðrún Lind Marteinsdóttir, CEO of SFS

Experience stories from various sources
• Arnheiður Hjörleifsdóttir, farmer in Bjarteyjarsandur
• Eva María Sigurbjörnsdóttir, Eimverk's production manager
• Bryndís Marteinsdóttir, project manager at Landgræðsla ríkisins
• Ólafur Helgi Kristjánsson, chef at Hótel Saga
• Guðrún Hafsteinsdóttir, marketing director of Kjörís

Moderator: Elín Hirst media actress.

The conference is free and open to all, but registration is required here.

Harpa - Kaldalón
on Thursday, May 31st
at 13.00-16.00

News

An exciting conference this autumn on the opportunities for utilizing sea urchins in the Arctic

Contact

Guðmundur Stefánsson

Director of Research Groups

gudmundur.stefansson@matis.is

A conference on the utilization of sea urchins will take place this autumn at Matís, where the main aspects of the utilization of sea urchins will be considered, such as fishing methods, fisheries management and stock assessment, regulations, transport, processing and markets. Posts will be received from other nations such as Ireland and Canada.

Further information in the autumn and from Guðmundur Stefánsson (contact information here).

News

Development of food for older people who are at risk of malnutrition - MS lecture at the University of Iceland

Contact

Kolbrún Sveinsdóttir

Project Manager

kolbrun.sveinsdottir@matis.is

Being well-nourished is important for physical and mental health. Malnutrition is common among older people who are admitted to hospital. After being discharged from hospital, these individuals are still in poor nutrition.

The aim of the project was to develop tasty and tasty products that improve the nutritional status of older people. Emphasis was placed on developing products with a soft texture due to chewing and swallowing difficulties, which were also energy-dense and protein-rich and at the same time easy to handle with regard to reduced mobility and muscle strength.

Where: Læknagarður, Vatnsmýrarvegur 16, 101 Reykjavík

When: Friday 18 May at 15.30 -16.15

Supervisors: Kolbrún Sveinsdóttir, Matís and Guðjón Þorkelsson, Matís, UI

Examiner: Ingibjörg Gunnarsdóttir, UI

Examiner: Ólöf Guðrún Geirsdóttir, UI

News

US Ambassador visits Matís in Ísafjörður

The current US ambassador to Iceland was in the Westfjords yesterday. The ambassador and his entourage visited Matís, among others. 

Gunnar Þórðarson, Matís 'consultant and station manager in the Westfjords, welcomed the group and introduced Matís' operations. 

From left: Jill M. Esposito, Deputy Ambassador, Gunnar Þórðarson, Ester S. Halldórsdóttir, Economic and Trade Representative of the US Embassy, and John P. Kill, Economic, Environment and Trade at the Embassy.
EN