Seafood Processing Global 2027

Meet Sæplast at Seafood Processing Global 2027

From 20 to 22 April 2027, Barcelona will become a global meeting place for the seafood industry as Seafood Processing Global returns to Fira Barcelona Gran Via. Bringing together seafood processors, producers, equipment manufacturers, technology providers, logistics specialists and buyers from around the world, the exhibition offers a comprehensive view of the systems and solutions shaping modern seafood production.

Seafood Processing Global takes place alongside Seafood Expo Global, creating an event that covers almost every stage of the seafood value chain. In 2026, the combined exhibition welcomed more than 35,500 industry professionals and 2,290 exhibiting companies from 85 countries. Its international reach makes Barcelona a valuable place for seafood businesses to compare solutions, meet partners and discuss the operational challenges affecting their facilities, fleets and supply chains.

For Sæplast, Seafood Processing Global is a particularly important event. It provides an opportunity to meet customers, distributors and industry partners from numerous markets in one location, while presenting material handling solutions designed for the demanding conditions found throughout the global seafood industry.

Material handling connects the seafood value chain

Seafood processing depends on more than individual machines or production lines. Every facility also needs a reliable way to move raw materials, ingredients, by-products and finished products safely between receiving, processing, cooling, storage and dispatch.

Containers may appear to be a straightforward part of this system, but their performance can directly affect hygiene, product quality, employee safety and production efficiency. Cracked surfaces, poor insulation, difficult cleaning and unreliable handling can create unnecessary costs and operational risk.

Sæplast develops reusable material handling products for businesses that need equipment capable of performing consistently in wet, cold and physically demanding environments. Drawing on decades of experience in the fish and seafood industry, the company works with customers across fishing, aquaculture, seafood processing, logistics and cold-chain operations.

At Seafood Processing Global 2027, the Sæplast team will be available to discuss how selecting the right container can improve workflows throughout a seafood operation. These conversations can cover everything from vessel handling and raw-material receiving to factory logistics, chilling, temporary storage and transport.

Durable tubs for demanding seafood operations

A central part of the Sæplast product range is its selection of insulated and reusable tubs. These products are developed to withstand repeated handling, stacking, washing and movement by forklift or pallet jack.

Sæplast polyethylene tubs are designed for applications where impact resistance, cleanability and reliable everyday handling are important. Their double-walled construction provides strength without the corrosion concerns associated with some alternative materials. Smooth surfaces and rounded internal corners also support effective cleaning in hygiene-sensitive environments.

For temperature-sensitive applications, PUR-insulated tubs help protect seafood and other perishable products during processing, storage and transport. Effective insulation can help control ice melt and support more stable product temperatures, particularly where fish or seafood must remain chilled for extended periods.

Choosing between different tub sizes, materials and specifications should always begin with the application. Product type, load weight, handling equipment, cleaning processes, stacking requirements and journey length can all influence the most appropriate solution. The Sæplast team can help customers evaluate these factors and select equipment suited to the actual conditions in which it will be used.

Protecting seafood quality through better handling

The quality of seafood can be affected at every point between harvesting and delivery. Temperature variation, excessive pressure, contamination risks and unnecessary handling can all reduce product value.

Well-designed reusable containers contribute to a more controlled handling process. Appropriate insulation helps maintain chilled conditions, while robust construction protects the container during repeated industrial use. The correct tub dimensions can also support more efficient use of ice and reduce the risk of excessive pressure being placed on delicate products.

These benefits are relevant throughout the industry, including wild-capture fisheries, aquaculture, primary processing and value-added production. They also matter to logistics providers responsible for moving products between vessels, processing facilities, cold stores and distribution centres.

Visitors to Seafood Processing Global can speak with Sæplast about practical product selection for different seafood species, production volumes and handling environments. The objective is not simply to choose a container that holds the required volume. It is to find a solution that supports product quality while fitting naturally into the wider operation.

Pallets, buggies and complete handling systems

Efficient material handling often requires more than tubs alone. Sæplast also provides durable plastic pallets developed for food-industry applications where hygiene, strength and repeatability are important.

Plastic pallets avoid the splinters, loose nails and moisture absorption associated with wooden alternatives. They can be washed repeatedly and incorporated into controlled hygiene programmes, making them suitable for processing plants, cold stores and distribution environments.

The Sæplast range of material handling buggies supports the movement of food, ingredients and by-products within production facilities. Their mobile format can help employees transfer materials efficiently between workstations while reducing unnecessary manual handling.

By considering tubs, pallets, buggies, lids and accessories as parts of one handling system, processors can create more consistent workflows. Standardisation can also simplify washing, storage, stacking and equipment management across multiple departments or production sites.

Looking beyond the initial purchase

The value of reusable handling equipment is determined over its complete working life. Purchase price is one consideration, but replacement frequency, cleaning performance, downtime, product loss and disposal must also be taken into account.

Sæplast products are designed for long-term industrial use, and the company provides services that can help customers manage their equipment throughout its lifecycle.

Tracking solutions can support better visibility of container fleets using technologies such as RFID, barcodes and QR codes. This can help businesses monitor movement, improve stock control and reduce losses, particularly when tubs travel between vessels, suppliers, factories and logistics partners.

When damage occurs, professional tub repair services may extend the useful life of suitable products. This can reduce the need for premature replacement and help businesses gain more value from their existing fleet.

At the end of a product’s usable life, Sæplast can also support responsible material recovery through its recycling services. This lifecycle approach connects durability, repairability and recycling as parts of a broader reusable system.

Flexible capacity with iTUB rental solutions

Seafood production is rarely constant throughout the year. Seasonal fisheries, harvest periods and temporary increases in demand can create a short-term requirement for significantly more containers.

Purchasing a permanent fleet for a temporary production peak can tie up capital and leave businesses storing unused equipment during quieter periods. The iTUB rental service provides an alternative by allowing customers to access reusable tubs when additional capacity is required.

Rental solutions can be particularly valuable for seasonal fisheries and businesses managing changing supply volumes. They can also help customers test different formats or manage new contracts without immediately investing in a large permanent fleet.

At Seafood Processing Global 2027, visitors can discuss whether ownership, rental or a combination of both would provide the most practical approach for their operation.

Reusable packaging in a changing regulatory environment

The European packaging landscape continues to change following the introduction of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, commonly known as PPWR. The regulation entered into force in February 2025 and became generally applicable in August 2026.

For seafood businesses operating in or supplying the European market, 2027 will therefore be an important year for reviewing packaging and handling systems. Companies may need to consider how reusable assets are documented, cleaned, tracked, repaired and ultimately recycled.

Long-life reusable containers can support a move away from single-use transport packaging, but durability alone is not enough. Businesses also need systems that keep reusable equipment in circulation and preserve its value for as long as practical.

Sæplast has prepared information to help customers understand how durable tubs, fleet tracking, repair services and end-of-life recycling relate to the developing regulatory landscape. Visitors can learn more through the company’s PPWR information centre or discuss their handling requirements directly with the team in Barcelona.

Practical discussions about real processing challenges

Seafood Processing Global is designed for professionals responsible for production, engineering, maintenance, food safety, quality assurance, procurement and company strategy. The exhibition covers processing equipment, packaging, refrigeration, cold storage, automation, traceability and logistics, providing a useful setting for discussions that cross traditional departmental boundaries.

The 2027 conference programme is also expected to feature more than 30 sessions covering subjects including processing technology, automation, traceability, supply-chain compliance, product innovation and sustainability.

Sæplast welcomes visitors who want to discuss a specific operational problem, compare container formats or review an existing fleet. Useful conversations can begin with practical questions:

• Are containers being replaced more frequently than expected?
• Is equipment difficult or time-consuming to clean?
• Are products remaining at the required temperature throughout handling?
• Are tubs being lost when they leave the facility?
• Is seasonal demand creating a temporary shortage of equipment?
• Could repair, tracking or rental reduce total operating costs?
• Is the current handling system ready for evolving packaging requirements?

By examining the complete workflow, Sæplast can help identify solutions that support safer handling, effective hygiene, better product protection and more efficient use of resources.

Seafood Processing Global 2027 offers an important opportunity to meet the people behind Sæplast and explore solutions developed for seafood operations around the world. To arrange a meeting with the team in Barcelona, please contact Sæplast.