JBT Marel's EVi wins Innovation in Processing at the IceFish Awards

It's a huge honor, and one that reflects something bigger than a single product: it shows that EVi is bringing real innovation to salmon gutting, a part of the value chain that hasn't seen meaningful advancement in many years.

Redefining salmon gutting

EVi is built to set new standards in efficiency, quality, and uptime. Powered by AQi vision technology, it automatically measures each fish, detects key anatomical features, performs precision cutting and viscera removal, and inspects gutting results for defects, all in real time and fish by fish.

Its dual-lane design is what sets it apart. Rather than simply increasing speed, the dual lanes enable a more thorough evisceration process without compromising throughput, while also providing built-in redundancy so production can continue even if one lane stops. Combined with a hygienic, open design that gives full 360° access to tools and hygiene-sensitive zones, EVi delivers consistent performance, maximum uptime, and a platform built for future-ready automation.

By detecting the anatomy of each individual fish, EVi enables fish-specific processing, something the market hasn't had before at this scale, while reducing waste by preventing incorrect processing and safeguarding raw material. And because the platform is built on state-of-the-art sensing and control technology, it can keep learning and improving over time, becoming more accurate and adaptable with less dependency on user input.

Proven in the field

EVi's impact is already showing up on processing floors. Bakkafrost in the Faroe Islands became the first company to invest in EVi, integrating it into their production line with promising results from ongoing testing and operation. In Norway, Åstafjord Slakteri became the first in the country to adopt the technology after visiting Bakkafrost's facility to see it in action, reporting that its performance exceeded all expectations. Last month, Salaks ordered two EVi machines for their harvesting facility in Rotvika, Norway, to support their production growth with capacity and quality together. Together, these commitments show that EVi isn't just a concept, it's revolutionizing how the salmon industry approaches gutting.

A milestone for the team

"This award means a great deal to all of us," said Úlfar Karl Arnórsson, Senior Director of Innovation at JBT Marel. "The true innovation behind the concept lies in understanding the physical limitations that are associated with the gutting process and respecting them instead of trying to overcome them through increasingly complex technology. "  

Skúli Sigurðsson, VP of Fish at JBT Marel, echoed that pride: "I couldn't be more proud of the team behind EVi. Innovation like this doesn't happen overnight, it takes years of listening to our customers and pushing ourselves to solve problems the industry has lived with for too long. And there's something special about receiving this recognition here in Iceland, a country with such deep roots in the fishing industry and such a long history with IceFish. It's a meaningful place for this milestone to happen." 

Continuing our commitment to the industry

We've had the privilege of standing alongside the Icelandic seafood processing community at IceFish for decades, and being recognized for EVi at this year's show means a great deal. We remain deeply committed to delivering the innovation this industry needs, and we look forward to continuing that journey together.