– To achieve our ambitious goal of a 46% reduction in climate emissions by 2030, we must intensify our efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from feed. We are proud to be early adopters of this large-scale initiative in Norway, and we believe that we must act now to meet the challenges of the future. Through collaboration and innovation, we can find new solutions for a more sustainable seafood industry, says Head of ESG and Quality at Lerøy Seafood Group, Anne Hilde Midttveit.
In Norwegian aquaculture, several companies have already started looking at chicken meal with good results, and we will now contribute to making this an important ingredient in the future.
– Lerøy and EWOS are showing their determination with this initiative. Investing in the upscaling and industrialization of by-products in fish feed is a significant step. This shows how responsible resource utilization can contribute to a more sustainable production of seafood, says Joakim Hauge, international head of science and strategy at the environmental foundation Bellona.
EWOS has extensive experience in using chicken by-products internationally and is now working to introduce similar solutions in Norway. The raw materials have been carefully tested and have shown good results for both fish health and product quality.
Lerøy has an extensive monitoring program for fish feed, which includes thorough testing and monitoring of the raw materials throughout the entire value chain, from suppliers to finished product. This ensures that we maintain the high quality our customers and consumers expect.
– This is not only a milestone for Lerøy, but also an important contribution to the seafood industry. Salmon is already among the world's most environmentally friendly protein sources, and with this initiative, Lerøy takes a step closer to its goal of creating the world's most efficient and sustainable seafood value chain, says Midttveit.
We are now in the final phase of product testing and supplier screening. According to the plan, the start of production of feed with chicken will begin in the spring of 2025, with a gradual scale-up in a controlled process to ensure that all requirements for quality, sustainability and fish health are met.
Lise Andreasen, Sales Director at Cargill, which produces the EWOS feed, comments:
“We are pleased to be able to do this project together with Lerøy, one of our most ambitious customers when it comes to sustainability initiatives. Chicken meal increases the supply of good and nutritious feed ingredients that are well suited to fish. We look forward to working closely with our customers and other industry players to ensure that we together exploit the opportunities that are now opening up for our industry.
Lerøy is one of the world's leading players in seafood production, with roots dating back to 1899. Over 125 years, we have evolved from a local fishmonger in Bergen to a global supplier with full control over the value chain – from sea to table. Every day, we deliver food equivalent to five million meals and strive to create the world's most efficient and sustainable seafood value chain.
Our values – open, honest, responsible and creative – guide how we meet challenges and manage resources. In line with these values and our goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 46% by 2030, we are now taking a new, important step. We also have by-products from our fishing and processing industry that are increasingly used in our feed.
