On Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, Nova Harvest is pioneering a revolution in shellfish farming. At its core lies the HPP (High Pressure Processing) ultra-high pressure technology provided by Quintus. Recently, Nova Harvest partnered with HFN Group to introduce Quintus' HPP ultra-high pressure processing equipment, jointly exploring a new business venture in oyster shucking, showcasing Quintus' excellence in food safety and technological innovation.

Breaking with tradition, Nova Harvest is heralding a new era in oyster shucking.

According to the British Columbia Shellfish Growers Association, British Columbia accounts for 46% of Canada's total oyster farming. In 2021, Canada produced a total of 42,540 tons of shellfish, valued at $122 million. "Canada's shellfish aquaculture industry has immense growth potential," said J.P. Hastey, President of Nova Harvest. "We believe that HPP ultra-high pressure technology is a powerful tool for creating new oyster products, not only diversifying options but also boosting demand and supporting the sustainable development of our shellfish industry."

HPP ultra-high pressure processing is a groundbreaking food safety technology that eliminates foodborne pathogens using pressure instead of chemicals or heat, thereby extending shelf life and ensuring food safety without compromising product quality.

For easy meat-shell separation, Nova Harvest has installed the QIF 150L-1400, Quintus' HPP ultra-high pressure processing press. This technology separates oyster meat from shells far more efficiently than manual methods, creating a new business growth point for the joint venture between Nova Harvest and HFN Group. Scheduled to become operational in May 2025, this marks a significant step towards their vision of producing high-quality, high value-added products from pristine waters.

The QIF 150L-1400 press boasts a maximum working pressure of up to 600 MPa (87,000 psi), and its compact design reduces space and foundation load requirements, lowering installation and plant construction costs while expediting the installation, commissioning, and training processes.

Furthermore, the press features a wire-wound frame and cylinder design, ensuring high safety performance despite its lightweight construction. It also incorporates advanced technologies such as variable frequency motor drives to minimize no-load energy consumption and heat generation, cloud-based press management software, fewer moving parts to reduce downtime, and easy access to all components requiring regular maintenance or inspection.

For comprehensive support, Nova Harvest has opted for Quintus Care Services for five years. This service ensures trouble-free operation and optimal equipment maintenance, providing application support, high-availability spare parts, and guaranteed priority technical support. Additionally, the program includes annual press inspections, training, and recertification for Nova Harvest staff to maintain and enhance their professional skills.

"I have complete confidence in Quintus' products, and Quintus Care Services further reassures me," said Mr. Hastey. "Many HPP companies barely stock spare parts, shifting the risk and cost of maintenance to customers. Quintus exceeds expectations in after-sales service, customer training, and professional maintenance teams, ensuring equipment doesn't shut down due to spare parts or support delays. This is crucial for an investment of this scale and adopting business-critical technology."

Ed Williams, General Manager of Quintus Americas, said, "We are impressed by Nova Harvest's commitment to expanding the oyster farming industry in the region and delighted that Quintus presses will play a pivotal role in producing this sustainable protein source, benefiting the surrounding marine environment."

About Nova Harvest

Founded in 2011, Nova Harvest is based on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. The company supplies oyster and geoduck seedlings to farmers throughout the region while also farming its own deep-water aquaculture food in Barkley Sound. Nova Harvest employs innovative scientific solutions to support the development of the sustainable shellfish industry. Recently, Nova Harvest partnered with HFN Group, which oversees the operation and strategic direction of all enterprises owned by the Huu-ay-aht First Nation on the west coast of Vancouver Island. Together, they aim to create high-quality, high value-added shellfish products from locally harvested shellfish.