A Norwegian seafood processing company recently upgraded its packaging line by installing two automatic MAP packaging machine units to meet growing retail demand and expand export operations. The investment helped the company extend product shelf life from 5–6 days to 10–12 days while reducing packaging defects to below 0.5%.
The Challenge Behind Upgrading a MAP Packaging Machine
The company supplies fresh-cut salmon and cod to major supermarket chains across Norway. It also exports small batches to nearby European markets. Growth in both channels created several pain points:
High leak rate: Old equipment showed 6%–8% defective seals during transport testing.
Long changeover time: Switching tray sizes took about 16 minutes, limiting multi-SKU flexibility.
Short shelf life: Products lasted only 5–6 days under refrigeration, blocking distant delivery routes.
Harsh environment: High humidity and salt required IP65-rated, washdown-safe construction.
Line integration: New machines had to connect with existing weighing, labeling, and boxing systems.
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Two Automatic MAP Packaging Machines for High-Volume Seafood
After commissioning both MAP packaging machines, the plant achieved measurable gains:
Parameter
Before
After
Improvement
Cold shelf life
5–6 days
10–12 days
100% extension
Seal defect rate
6%–8%
< 0.5%
Near-zero returns
Mold changeover
~16 min
< 5 min
68% faster
Machine uptime (OEE)
< 80%
≥ 95%
Stable high-volume runs
The longer shelf life enabled sea and road freight to European buyers. Supermarket audits were passed with consistent pack quality.
“Vi er svært fornøyde med vår nye MAP-pakkemaskin. Den gir tett forsegling hver gang og holder fisken fersk i 10–12 dager. Bytte av form tar bare 5 minutter, så vi kan kjøre mange forskjellige produkter uten store stopp. Dette har hjulpet oss med å øke eksporten til andre europeiske land.”
“We are very happy with our new MAP packaging machine. It provides a tight seal every time and keeps the fish fresh for 10-12 days. Changing the mold only takes 5 minutes, so we can run many different products without major stops. This has helped us grow our exports to other European countries.”
— Produksjonsleder, sjømatfabrikk i Norge
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Ready to Upgrade Your Seafood Packaging Line?
If you process fresh fish and need to extend shelf life, reduce waste, or enter new markets, a modern MAP packaging machine can deliver fast ROI. We provide stable packaging line equipment and customized packaging equipment solutions for global customers. We design and build reliable packaging machines, including multihead weigher packing machines, automatic vacuum packing machines, automatic can sealer machines, coffee packaging machines, double chamber vacuum sealers, and other packaging systems to meet diverse production needs. Contact our team for a customized quote and layout support for your facility.
