Through its Innovation and Development Management team, the company obtained Corfo’s approval for its first two projects under this incentive framework, with the resulting returns to be reinvested in its own operations.
The Regional Director of Corfo Biobío, James Argo, visited Blumar’s facilities in Rocuant, Talcahuano, to see firsthand the innovation projects the company has developed under Chile’s Research and Development Tax Incentive Law (R&D Law).
The visit provided an opportunity to showcase the progress of a new area of work being driven by Blumar’s Innovation and Development Management team, focused on identifying challenges within its own operations and transforming them into technological solutions that enhance productivity, quality, and efficiency. In 2025, the company submitted projects under this incentive for the first time, obtaining approval for two initiatives developed for its frozen products and fishmeal and fish oil businesses.
During the visit, the delegation learned about the HGT automatic jack mackerel gutting machine—which performs head and tail cutting and viscera removal—currently operating at the Rocuant frozen products plant. The equipment automates the gutting process, which was previously performed manually, using mechanical arms and an integrated control system. This helps increase productivity while reducing workers’ exposure to repetitive tasks.
The fishmeal post-drying project was also presented, involving the adaptation and redesign of equipment used in the final stage of the drying process. This system enables more precise control of product moisture levels, one of the most important parameters for ensuring the technical standards of the final product.
During the visit, Marcelo Videla, Blumar Fishing Business Innovation and Development Manager, stated: “Corfo’s visit is a valuable opportunity to showcase how we approach innovation at Blumar. For us, innovation means starting with specific challenges within our operations and, drawing on the knowledge of our teams, developing our own solutions that deliver tangible improvements. These two projects are the first we have successfully approved under the R&D Law and represent an important step toward establishing this capability permanently within the company, in line with our Faro Strategy and our goal of moving toward increasingly efficient and sustainable operations.”
For his part, James Argo, Regional Director of Corfo Biobío, explained: “The goal is to connect with the private sector and strengthen our relationship with companies such as Blumar by gaining firsthand insight into their R&D initiatives: the post-drying system and the gutting machine, both ongoing projects that we are already supporting through our institution.”
The approval of both developments represents a milestone for Blumar, as they are the company’s first projects approved under the R&D Law. This incentive seeks to encourage private investment in research and development and, in Blumar’s case, has enabled the company to adopt a new methodology for identifying initiatives that combine its teams’ operational expertise with the development of solutions specifically tailored to its processes.
In this regard, Ignacio Mir, Blumar’s Fishing Business Manager, highlighted: “Welcoming the Regional Director of Corfo and demonstrating the HGT automatic gutting machine in operation allows us to showcase an approach we want to continue strengthening: identifying opportunities within our own operations, developing solutions, and renewing our processes to achieve better results.”
Building on this initial experience, Blumar aims to continue developing this approach and identify new opportunities across its operations. The company is currently developing two new projects for future applications, further advancing a strategy focused on innovation, continuous improvement, and the evolution of its production processes.
