INSTITUTE: UiB
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Global production of fish oil is under considerable price pressure, which is expected to increase further. The production of farmed fish has increased considerably since 2000, while production of fish oil has almost stood still. This will lead to a shortage of fish oil in the market shortly. Summer 2011, BTO together with NIHL, Uni Research, NOFIMA and the University of Bergen (UiB), and industrial partners founded CO2BIO AS with the business idea that marine fatty acids from algal biomass can fill this unmet demand.
5 different companies (including BTO) will own CO2BIO AS, which each represent value to increase the opportunities to implement the project:
- Nordhordaland Håndverk- og industrilag (NIHL) has total approx. 250 companies in Nordhordland and Gulen counties as members. Key focus areas are in transport, skills and regional development.
- Grieg Seafood ASA is one of the world’s leading fish farming companies within salmon and trout.
- Salmon Group is the world’s largest network of small, family-owned fish farming companies.
- EWOS is one of three major salmon feed companies globally, with a market share of around 33 percent.
The aim is to establish a manufacturing facility that can produce omega-3 and other high-value plus products from algal biomass, based on pure CO2 from Technology Centre Mongstad (TCM) and the residual heat (steam) from the plant at TMC. A pilot plant will be ready at the end of 2012 and will be operating for 3 years. UiB has established an office at TMC to create an arena between R&D and industry, with purpose to facilitate innovation as well as industrial and regional development
The development of the project will be conducted in collaboration with multiple stakeholders with expertise in marine research to ensure the optimal production method, both in regards to costs and quality. The result is a sustainable solution to an environmental problem and a proactive alternative to the passive deposition of C02.