Conservas Serrats
More sustainable solutions to uphold the tradition of that well done for generations
To achieve a sustainable fishing sector requires everyone involved in the whole process value chain to work together, i.e. from the beginning to the end, which includes companies like the canning industries. Furthermore, we have to add to this, the no less important task of doing so while maintaining quality and traditions. This Bermeo canning company holder of the MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) Chain of Custody Standard, which ensures products carrying the blue label are from a certified sustainable fishery, highlights: “At Conservas Serrats we live in harmony with our environment and look after that surrounding us because it truly matters to us. We care about finding new solutions which are even more sustainable and responsible while upholding the history and tradition of things well done for generations”.
Fisheries must fulfil three principles: maintain sustainable fishing populations, minimise the environmental impact of fishing, and carry out good management to ensure efficient reaction to continue complying with regulations should the situation change. Three guidelines which have long led Conservas Serrats to work on different areas to minimise the environmental impact of their activity as well as to raise awareness on the importance of protecting the environment and ensuring sustainability of the sea.
Resaltun project
Resaltun project
Based on nanofiltration, it recovers a clean brine so it can be reused, while at the same time valuing concentrated protein to be used as an ingredient in animal nutrition or to produce biofertilizers.
We are active members of Bermeo Tuna World Capital, which globally promotes sustainable management of tuna as a natural resource through scientific knowledge and good practices leadership. In addition, we are members of WWF, the independent international NGO which defends nature and environment. Renewable energy for manufacturing processes, reducing water footprint, and raw material of sustainable origin are all strategies that link Serrats to the Sustainable Development Goals defined by Agenda 2030. An example of this is the incorporation of solar panels at our Bermeo factory, likewise the in-house policy to progressively reduce plastics plus the daily task to optimise energy expense management.
Various actions
Responsible management of waste and real development of a circular economy within the manufacturing process are two of Serrats channels in our commitment to a sustainable value chain. “We employ part of our resources in research on how to reduce and optimise the same besides fostering circular economy in our manufacturing process, i.e. an economic model based on resource efficiency”.
In fact, the Resaltun project was launched last year, in which this Bermeo canning company has been pioneering in offering an innovative environmentally sustainable solution to reuse brine, a “waste material” not only involving management, transport, storage and processing costs, but also a serious environmental impact. Resaltun, developed with AZTI technological centre and financially sponsored by the Basque Government, is based on nanofiltration. This enables, on the one hand, recovery of clean brine in condition to be reused, whilst on the other hand, giving value to its protein concentrate for its use in animal nutrition or to produce biofertilisers.
All the foregoing, without losing sight of the need to make society as a whole a participant thereof. “We foster collaborative actions to create ecological awareness, for example with the recycling competition #ReciclaConSerrats, which consists of reusing cans/jars giving them a new use, in addition to making people aware of the correct classification of our rubbish to deposit it in the appropriate containers”.
Because what we do today will have a repercussion on our tomorrow, at Conservas Serrats it’s as clear as daylight: “the seas of today matter to us, but above all those of tomorrow”.