Project Background
Algeria is one of the key canned fish consumption and processing markets in North Africa. The local sardine canning industry has a long history, but many factories are still operating with outdated second-hand equipment, resulting in:
Low production efficiency
High labor dependency
Unstable product quality
Frequent equipment failures
Difficulty meeting export food safety standards
In this project, an Algerian fish processing factory contacted HSYL with the intention of upgrading and refurbishing an existing sardine canning production line.
Initial Situation: Old Second-Hand Equipment with Limited Performance
At the beginning of the project, the client was operating a used and partially refurbished fish canning line, originally sourced from the European second-hand equipment market.
Existing Conditions
Equipment age: 10–15 years
Automation level: Low
Frequent mechanical downtime
Manual operations at critical steps
No integrated control system
Target Production Requirement
After internal evaluation, the client clearly defined their production goal:
Product type: Sardine canned fish
Can size: 125g per can
Target capacity: 8,000 cans per hour
Market focus: Domestic + export markets
The client initially hoped to repair, supplement, and reconfigure the old equipment to reach this capacity with minimal investment.
HSYL Technical Evaluation & Line Retrofit Assessment
After detailed technical communication, HSYL conducted a full production line assessment, covering:
Mechanical condition of existing machines
Compatibility between old equipment and new modules
Food safety and hygiene risks
Energy efficiency and operating cost
Long-term scalability and ROI
Key Findings
Structural Wear and Instability
Critical machines such as seamers, filling units, and conveyors showed irreversible wear, making stable high-speed operation at 8,000 cans/hour unrealistic.Automation Bottlenecks
The old line relied heavily on manual feeding, filling adjustment, and inspection, which directly limited capacity and consistency.Food Safety Compliance Risks
The existing system did not fully meet modern HACCP and export hygiene requirements, especially in sterilization control and traceability.High Hidden Maintenance Costs
Although initial refurbishment costs appeared low, long-term maintenance, spare parts, and downtime would significantly increase operating costs.
Key Decision Point: Retrofit vs. New Production Line
HSYL provided the client with two clear technical and financial scenarios:
Option 1: Partial Retrofit of Existing Line
Lower initial investment
Limited capacity improvement
High maintenance risk
Short remaining service life
No long-term scalability
Option 2: Full New Sardine Canning Production Line
Fully automatic configuration
Stable output at 8,000 cans/hour
Lower labor dependency
Compliance with international standards
Long service life and better ROI
After several rounds of technical discussions and cost-benefit analysis, the client reached a strategic conclusion:
Investing in a fully new sardine canning production line would be more cost-effective and sustainable in the long run than continuing to repair outdated equipment.
Final Solution: HSYL Fully Automatic Sardine Canning Production Line
The client ultimately selected a brand-new HSYL sardine canning food processing line, designed specifically for their product and capacity requirements.
Final Line Configuration
Designed capacity: 8,000 cans/hour
Can size: 125g
Automation level: Fully automatic
Material: SUS304 food-grade stainless steel
Core Equipment Included
Automatic fish washing and cleaning system
Sardine heading and gutting machine
Pre-cooking (steam) system
Automatic fish filling machine
Sauce / oil dosing system
High-speed vacuum seaming machine
Retort sterilization system with PLC control
Cooling, drying, and inspection units
Integrated conveyor and control system
Project Results and Benefits
After installation and commissioning, the new HSYL production line delivered significant improvements:
Operational Improvements
Stable production at 8,000 cans/hour
Reduced labor requirements by over 60%
Consistent filling weight and product appearance
Smooth, continuous operation with minimal downtime
Quality & Compliance
Improved product consistency and shelf stability
Compliance with HACCP and export standards
Enhanced factory hygiene and process control
Business Impact
Lower long-term maintenance costs
Faster order fulfillment
Stronger competitiveness in both domestic and export markets
Clear foundation for future capacity expansion
Project Summary
This Algeria project clearly demonstrates a common situation in emerging markets:
Attempting to extend the life of outdated second-hand equipment often leads to higher long-term costs and operational risks.
Through professional evaluation and transparent technical communication, HSYL helped the client make a data-driven investment decision, ultimately choosing a new, fully automatic sardine canning production line that supports sustainable growth.
Why HSYL?
Proven experience in fish canning production lines
Strong capability in line evaluation and retrofit consulting
Turnkey solutions from design to commissioning
Long-term technical support and spare parts supply
HSYL is not just an equipment supplier, but a long-term processing solution partner.
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