Nutrimar was founded in 2006 by the owners of Salmar, the world's second-largest salmon producer. Strategically located next to InnovaMar, Salmar’s largest slaughterhouse, the company was established to capitalize on the significant volume of byproducts generated from salmon processing.
Initially, Nutrimar sold these sidestreams to other companies. However, at a certain point, the founders questioned why they shouldn’t process the materials themselves. This led to the gradual development of the state-of-the-art biorefinery they operate today, where 40,000 tons of byproducts are transformed into premium omega-3 salmon oil and high-quality salmon proteins, making Nutrimar the largest operator in the region.
“We receive fresh raw materials and complete the biorefining process, on average, within six hours after butchering, ensuring the premium quality of our products,” said Edgar Skjervold, CEO of Nutrimar, in an interview with Aquafeed.com during the North Atlantic Seafood Forum.
These products primarily serve the aquafeed and pet food industries. Nutrimar exports most of its production. The dried salmon proteins are mainly supplied to the North American pet food market, while most of the salmon oil is used in aquafeed production across the Mediterranean and Nordic regions.
The role of salmon oil in aquafeeds
Salmon oil serves as an intermediary between fish oil and vegetable oil in aquafeeds. One liter of salmon oil can replace 25% of fish oil and 75% of vegetable oil. “By using salmon oil, we can reduce reliance on wild-caught fish protein and vegetable oils sourced from deforested areas. The carbon footprint of the oil we produce in Norway from byproducts is close to zero—only 0.11 CO2e per ton,” Skjervold noted.
Some salmon farmers have been incorporating salmon oil into their feeds for years, while others are now exploring its benefits. “We conducted full life-cycle trials with the Norwegian University of Life Science (NMBU) and found that using salmon oil in salmon feed can reduce mortality by up to 50% and improve feed conversion efficiency compared to standard feed with fish oil, replacing much of the vegetable-based sources like soy or rapeseed oil,” Skjervold explained.
He attributes these benefits to increasing the marine content in salmon diets. “We ran two full-scale benchmark analyses, and the results were overwhelming. The composition of salmon feed plays a crucial role in fish welfare and helps tackle industry challenges such as high mortality rates and sea lice infestations.”
As the industry explores technologies like closed and submerged cages to address sustainability challenges, Skjervold emphasizes the critical role of aquafeeds and the need for high-quality, well-documented ingredients like salmon oil.
Unlocking the potential of salmon protein
The industry is increasingly focusing on novel and alternative ingredients, such as insect meal, though many remain in limited supply. Reintroducing salmon protein into salmon diets could be a valuable addition, but regulatory constraints currently prevent this practice.
“We have a marine-based protein source that is already scaled up and commercially available, with proven benefits. However, European regulations prohibit feeding salmon meal back into salmon diets,” Skjervold stated. “We have conducted extensive research, including assessments on prion transmission risks on hydrolysate proteins, and there are no documented cases of concern. Due to its production process, salmon protein hydrolysate is slightly more expensive and is positioned as a functional ingredient. We believe that the food authorities in Europe should reconsider the restrictions on salmon proteins that are not hydrolyzed. Utilizing these raw materials would contribute to a more sustainable industry.”
Consumers concerns
Some consumers may initially hesitate at the idea of salmon being fed salmon-based ingredients. To address this, Nutrimar has collaborated with NGO’s like Earthworm Foundation. Surveys in France revealed that while many consumers were skeptical at first, their opinions shifted when they learned about the environmental and welfare benefits.
“We need to continue educating the public about the advantages of sustainable aquafeeds. The market should move towards demanding more environmentally friendly products,” Skjervold stated.
“I challenge my colleagues in the salmon industry to embrace this shift. Our competitive advantage will be producing premium salmon with a lower carbon footprint and higher welfare standards. Consumers will increasingly demand these attributes,” he emphasized.
Exploring alternative ingredients
Beyond salmon byproducts, Nutrimar is exploring additional sustainable feed ingredients. The company has conducted extensive research on poultry meal, demonstrating its safety and nutritional benefits. “We’ve made significant investments and pilot studies, and we’re pleased that Lerøy has taken the lead in incorporating poultry meal into its aquafeeds in Norway. I believe many others will follow,” Skjervold noted.
Nutrimar has also investigated the potential of kelp as an aquafeed ingredient. “From an operational standpoint, incorporating kelp is feasible. However, the market is not yet ready. Algae contain bioactive compounds that could be valuable in functional feeds, but transitioning from research to commercial application is a significant leap,” he explained.
Looking ahead
As Nutrimar continues to grow and gain access to more resources, the company remains committed to expanding its operations in Norway.
“The transition to more sustainable feed ingredients has been discussed for years—now, it’s time for action. With potential trade challenges ahead, we must develop regional alternatives, which will fundamentally reshape the industry,” Skjervold emphasized.
“We want to contribute to building a sustainable aquaculture industry that provides consumers with environmentally responsible, healthy seafood,” Skjervold concluded.
