Lerøy, a company in the aquaculture industry, has established a new department called 100 percent Fish to work on developing innovative products using their own raw materials for new markets. This research organization, SINTEF, found that the aquaculture industry is able to utilize about 94 percent of its raw materials, with only blood being the leftover part that is not utilized. Over the past 20 years, the industry has been working to find ways to make use of this remaining material.
One of the unique products developed by Lerøy is called SalmoFer, which is the world’s first iron ingredient derived from salmon. This product utilizes the haemoglobin protein in salmon blood, which is naturally high in heme iron. Heme iron is known to be a highly efficient and easily absorbed source of iron by the body, without causing common side effects seen with traditional iron supplements.
Mats Trones, who heads the 100 percent Fish department, expresses pride in the development of SalmoFer and highlights Lerøy’s commitment to innovation and sustainability. He mentions that the company is also collaborating with various research and development communities, biotech ventures, and start-ups to bring more innovative products to the market that enhance the use of raw materials and add more value.
While Trones does not reveal specific details about other projects the department is working on, he hints at multiple exciting initiatives both internally at Lerøy and through partnerships with external parties. The company’s focus on utilizing raw materials efficiently and creating value through innovation underscores its dedication to sustainability and product development within the aquaculture industry.
