Featured Story – Vexve’s valves support responsible food production

Kalaneuvos Oy is the biggest fish smoking plant in the Nordic countries. Its headquarters and production plants are located in Sastamala, Finland. Last year, Kalaneuvos made a significant investment of EUR 28 million, which more than doubled the production facilities of the fish processing plant and at the same time, created about 30 new jobs. Kalaneuvos wants to significantly increase its business operations in the coming years and to increase its exports to Asia, among other destinations.

Environmental friendliness was a key consideration in the construction of the extension that was completed in 2019. With the plant extension, Kalaneuvos deployed a new industrial central cooling system in which natural ammoniac is used as refrigerant. The efficiency of the central cooling system is up to a third better than in a decentralized system. In addition, it enables effective utilization of waste heat created in the cooling process using heat pumps.

Wood chips generated in the thinning of trees and final felling in nearby forests are utilized in heating office spaces, smoke ovens and water. The wood chip heating centre has been in use already since 2012.

“Even though the space was doubled and the number of smoke ovens is now 2,5 times that of the previous situation, the current wood chip heating centre is sufficient to produce our energy also in the future,” says Production Manager Keijo Marjakoski.

The heating and cooling system contractor responsible for the plant extension was Bravida Finland Oy, a company specialized in implementing smart and energy-efficient systems. The engine room is located on the second floor of the extension and it is 67 meters long.

“The project was challenging with regard to space, logistics and heating and cooling solutions. It required from us close collaboration with various parties, as well as different practical solutions,” says the foreman of the project, Santtu Heiskanen.

In addition to environmental friendliness, reliable products are also important when building heating and cooling systems so that optimal temperature is ensured at every stage of processing food products. Vexve’s and Naval’s shut-off and balancing valves made of stainless steel are used extensively in the heating and cooling system of Kalaneuvos’ extension.

“Vexve’s and Naval’s valves belong to the Bravida range, and they are our preference particularly when we need valves that can be welded. Vexve’s valves are good and they work well,” says Heiskanen. Additionally, the ventilation (heating and heat recovery) equipment use Vexve’s X range steel shut-off and balancing valves with press fit connections that were launched last year. “I noticed the new valves at the wholesaler and decided to try them out immediately. According to the technicians, they were handy and quick to install. The price is also competitive,” concludes Heiskanen.