Material Flow Analysis in a cooked mussel processing industry

Abstract

Galicia (NW Spain) is an ideal environment for mussel culture owing to its excellent natural conditions. It is the first Spanish and European mussel producer and the second worldwide after China. More than 50% of the mussel collected in Galicia is used in the processing industry, which produces different products, as cooked mussel that is canned, frozen or used in the food industry.In this paper a methodology based on Life Cycle Thinking has been applied to a mussel processing plant. The methodology combines Material and Energy Flow Analysis (MEFA) and BAT (Best Available Techniques) Analysis to detect the Improvable Flows (IF) of the process and to propose techniques that enhance the process. The results obtained after the application of the methodology will be used to improve the performance of the plant. It will also be considered the suitability of the methodology for being applied to other plants of the sector.