Veramaris opened its Blair, Nebraska, USA facility. The zero-waste facility in Blair, Nebraska, USA was completed in May ahead of schedule, on budget and with zero-accidents. Next step is ramping up for full production.
The two parent companies of the 50:50 joint venture have invested a total of $200 million US in equal parts for the construction of the plant and run its innovative facility with proprietary technology. The intellectual property behind the production technology, the algae strain Schizochytrium ssp. and the downstream processes are all strongly protected by patents. The plant was constructed next to Evonik existing facility, where it has been running a fermentation process to produce Biolys® (source of L-lysine) for many years now. The production complex benefits from many synergies in infrastructure, technology and personnel. In addition to this is the know-how Evonik has already gained over decades of large-volume fermentation at the Nebraska site.
The Veramaris' unique strain of natural marine algae is rich in both EPA and DHA, and together with the technology to cultivate it at a very large scale, is a breakthrough that expands the future supply of healthy seafood without impacting ocean resources. Due to its state-of-the-art fermentation process, the Veramaris algal oil is free from sea-borne contaminants and unique for its pristine quality 365 days a year. The full traceability of the raw materials used, and the transparent production process provide peace of mind for the consumer.
In response to the aquaculture industry’s call for novel and sustainable sources of EPA and DHA, Veramaris’ production capacity is equivalent to 1.2 million tons of wild-catch fish. This will meet around 15 percent of the entire salmon farming industry\'s annual demand for EPA and DHA – providing a significant contribution to conserving the biodiversity in our oceans and reducing pressure on marine wild catch fisheries.
Veramaris celebrated the opening of its new facility in the presence of Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts, local authorities, Feike Sijbesma and Christian Kullmann, the CEOs of the Veramaris parent companies DSM and Evonik, guests and staff in a ceremony at the site.
Check the latest Veramaris article in the Aquafeed Magazine here.
