Fisheries sector - RIS Rubber

no fear of challenges

SUSTAINABLE RESULTS

The Dutch fishing industry is constantly evolving. Automation is making significant strides, while research and harvesting methods focus heavily on sustainability. To balance the needs of people, planet and the desired profitability, the industry works closely with the government and various environmental organisations.

Rubber plays a crucial role in this effort. By incorporating rubber products, seabed damage is significantly reduced. For RIS Rubber, the fishing industry is a challenging sector where we are eager to collaborate to achieve the best and most sustainable results.

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rubber in the roller

RUBBER ROLLERS IN SHRIMP FISHING

In the 1940s, Dutch fishermen began using shrimp beam trawls – a type of drag net held open by a beam and towed along the seabed. The rubber bobbins, also called rollers, drag across the ground, causing vibrations that scare shrimp into jumping off the seabed and straight into the net. These rollers also keep the net lifted off the ground, minimising bycatch of seabed fauna and debris. Properly functioning rollers also help reduce the trawler’s fuel consumption.

The solid rubber rollers in a shrimp beam trawl are connected by steel rods and rings. The size of the rollers and rings determines the weight of the bobbin footrope. Factors such as the seabed and the vessel’s power determine the type of bobbin footrope used. At RIS Rubber, we manufacture rollers in a variety of sizes and qualities to meet these needs.

Best of both worlds

NEXT LEVEL: THE HYBRID SHRIMP ROLLER

To develop a hybrid shrimp roller, we collaborated with Pavaman, who brought their expertise to the table. They produce polyurethane products and have extensive experience with this hardwearing material. By combining the unique properties and advantages of rubber and polyurethane, we successfully created a hybrid roller.

The base and tread of the roller are made of rubber, while the core and flange are constructed from wear-resistant polyurethane. This combination ensures smooth rolling, reducing wear and extending the roller’s lifespan. Additionally, since these rollers do not drag along the seabed, the trawler’s fuel consumption is reduced, bycatch is minimised and less debris enters the net.

Read the full Pavaman case