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Veramaris drives sustainable aquafeed innovation with algae-based omega-3

USA, 4 June 2025 | Company states clearly that algae oil isn’t just for salmon anymore-it’s the future of sustainable other species too

Veramaris, instalaciones Schizochytrium

Veramaris, a biotechnology company producing Omega-3 EPA and DHA from microalgae, is making strong strides in positioning its oil as a sustainable alternative to fish oil. According to the company’s 2024 Sustainable Development Report, full operational capacity was achieved at its Nebraska facility, boosting production by 61% since 2021 while cutting absolute greenhouse gas emissions by 5.6%.

“In 2024, we’ve demonstrated that aquaculture can expand responsibly – without deepening its reliance on wild fish stocks for essential long-chain Omega-3s,” said Gertjan de Koning, CEO of Veramaris.

One of the highlights of the year was the launch of the Omega-3 Deposition Model (O3D), a predictive tool developed in collaboration with the University of Stirling. The model enables feed producers to forecast EPA and DHA levels in salmon fillets based on specific feed formulations, offering greater control over nutritional outcomes.

“The O3D model helps aquaculture predict how EPA and DHA in feed translate to fish fillet quality,” said Dr Matthew Sprague, Lecturer in Fish Nutrition at the University of Stirling.

Reducing reliance on wild-caught forage fish remains a key priority for the aquaculture sector. Veramaris plays a central role in this shift by helping the industry lower its Forage Fish Dependency Ratio (FFDRoil), a measure of how much wild fish is needed to produce farmed fish. The company actively supports efforts to bring FFDRoil below 1.0—ensuring sustainable growth without compromising performance.

“Veramaris oil helps us reduce our dependence on wild fish without compromising nutrition,” said Jan Olav Langeland, CEO of Norway-based Salmon Group. “It’s a key part of how we’re lowering FFDRoil – good for fish, people, and the planet.”

Daniel Montoya, Sales and Marketing Director at Chilean producer Salmones Blumar, added: “Veramaris is an important ingredient that helps Blumar improve one of our sustainability indicators, which is FFDRoil. It has been fundamental to achieving the FFDR<1 goal without reducing our EPA+DHA level.”

A joint study with the University of São Paulo tested Veramaris algae oil in plant-based diets for Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). Shrimp fed with 1–2% Veramaris oil showed 47% higher growth rates compared to those on conventional marine-based diets, with no compromise in flavour or texture. Omega-3 levels in muscle tissue were also boosted by 3 to 4 times.

“The message is clear: algae oil isn’t just for salmon anymore – it’s the future of sustainable shrimp too,” the company stated.

In 2024, Veramaris also strengthened its logistics infrastructure. Bulk barge transport, the introduction of flexibags in markets like Chile, and an on-time, in-full (OTIF) delivery rate of 86% contributed to a more efficient and resilient supply chain.

The company maintains a strong portfolio of certifications—including ASC-MSC, ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and FAMI-QS—ensuring traceability and compliance with high environmental and quality standards.

“Veramaris is a very good fit for us because Veramaris and Pacific Coral are on the same page on sustainability,” said Manuel García, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Pacific Coral Seafood.

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