This article was featured in Eurofish Magazine 4 2025.
Kroma, a Danish company with a long history in fish processing equipment, is marking 50 years since delivering its first gutting machine for trout. Founded over a century ago, the company continues to carve out a niche in primary processing solutions, specialising in gutting, descaling, and filleting. At Seafood Expo Global CEO Ivan Kristensen reflected on the company’s evolution and current strategy. Although Kroma does not dominate the market, it maintains steady growth by delivering well-regarded, targeted products. Recent innovations include a silage system that allows fish by-products—such as guts, heads, and frames—to be stored without refrigeration. By using acid to neutralise bacteria, the system enables long-term storage and provides a safe, value-adding solution for pet food producers.
Ivan Kristensen notes that industry developments are pushing toward land-based fish farming, including -systems in non-coastal regions. While large -corporations dominate salmon -farming, -Kroma sees opportunity in serving smaller, local producers who prioritise sustainability and reduced transport emissions. Kroma also supplies equipment for other species, including catfish, sea bass, sea bream, and mackerel, and is exploring entry into the whitefish segment. Kroma’s product development reflects industry-wide shifts. While the basic mechanics of gutting and filleting have not changed significantly in the past decade, there is a strong push for more hygienic, easy-to-clean equipment. Machines are now designed to be fully accessible for cleaning, with all control systems protected from water exposure.
Automation is another growth area. Kroma can deliver integrated processing lines tailored to specific customer needs, sometimes approaching turnkey solutions. Depending on the customer’s volume and budget, these systems can range from partially to fully automated. The company continues to expand internationally, including in the United States, where it is targeting the catfish market. Kroma’s new filleting machine for portion-sized fish represents its latest innovation, aimed at boosting sales in both existing and new markets. With a pragmatic outlook, Mr -Kristensen acknowledges the -challenges of scale but -remains optimistic. He sees the -company’s -flexibility and technical knowledge as key strengths in a sector where custom solutions and sustainability are -becoming -increasingly important.
