A glimpse into sustainable fish processing and innovation
UiB has strong connections to many local companies. As part of the collaboration between Ferd and SEAS with the pilot externship programme, four of our research fellows were invited to Pelagia, a leading producer of fish products for human and animal consumption based just outside Bergen, for a tour of their facilities and an in depth look into their practices and goals. In this article, Shreesha Sadashiva Rao reflects on the day, alongside his SEAS colleagues, Juan Manuel Valero Rodriguez, Virginie Comorge and Zoran Sargac.
Main content
Our recent visit to Pelagia provided an invaluable opportunity to delve into the world of sustainable fish processing and the innovative practices that define this industry leader. Pelagia’s commitment to maximizing the value of marine resources while adhering to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) was a recurring theme throughout the visit.
The experience offered a well-rounded perspective on how innovation, collaboration, and sustainability can converge to drive industrial excellence. Shreesha
Introduction to Pelagia
The visit commenced with a warm welcome from Ola Flesland, a product and process developer at Pelagia. Demonstrating his genuine enthusiasm for the company’s mission, Ola began with a comprehensive presentation, providing an overview of Pelagia’s operations, highlighting the company’s extensive network of 14 processing facilities across Norway and Northern Europe. These facilities are instrumental in producing high-quality fish products for diverse applications, including food, animal feed, and pharmaceuticals.
Ola’s presentation emphasized Pelagia’s alignment with sustainability principles and their focus on adding value to marine byproducts. He spoke in detail about the company's commitment to quality, innovation, and ecological responsibility as well as its regenerative economy strategy, which guarantees the effective use of marine resources.
Insights into Operations and Facilities
Following the presentation, we were joined by Hallgeir Stenevik, the plant manager at Pelagia. Together with Ola, he engaged us in discussions about Pelagia’s strategies and their vision for the future. Afterwards, we were guided through the company’s state-of-the-art facilities, providing an up-close look at their intricate processing systems.
I think it was really nice that the manager showed us all around the factory and how they operate on a daily basis. I loved that we got a quite nice overview of the factory, how they use the leftovers from fishing and aquaculture and what are their future prospectives. And they were super friendly and really open to discuss different topics from the perspective of industry and science. Zoran
We explored the chambers where crude liquids transported from ships are refined into valuable byproducts. These processes yield salmon protein concentrates and salmon oil, both of which are key outputs in Pelagia’s portfolio. The protein concentrates are rich in digestible peptides, while the salmon oil, containing essential omega fatty acids, finds applications in health and wellness industries. Observing these processes firsthand illustrated Pelagia’s sophisticated operations and their commitment to minimizing waste while maximizing resource efficiency.
In the control rooms and laboratories, we witnessed the precision and expertise that underpin Pelagia’s success. Advanced technologies were employed for calibrations and separation tests, ensuring optimal quality and adherence to international standards like GMP+ FSA. These efforts underscore Pelagia’s dedication to delivering traceable and high-quality products.
Collaboration and Engagement
Throughout the visit, Pelagia’s collaborative spirit and openness were evident. During lunch with Pelagia employees, we engaged in discussions about the company’s strategies and aspirations. Ola emphasized Pelagia’s commitment to sustainable practices, sharing details of their efforts to transform fish by-products into valuable resources. His insights highlighted how Pelagia aligns with global trends in circular economic practices and resource optimization.
Pelagia’s collaboration extends to academia. They expressed a keen interest in recruiting researchers specializing in fish products and fostering joint projects to tackle industry challenges. These partnerships underscore Pelagia’s forward-thinking approach to innovation and knowledge-sharing.
While my expertise is not close to the process that takes place in this company it was a very illustrative trip, with easy explanations. These people have clear goals and the process to obtain the factions is efficient and adjustable to their clients. A well-oiled (pun intended) team worth talking to. Juan
Health and Sustainability
A significant highlight of the visit was Pelagia’s focus on health-oriented innovations. Under their EPAX® brand, the company is at the forefront of developing marine-based ingredients for dietary supplements and pharmaceuticals. By producing fish meal and oils from sustainably sourced raw materials, Pelagia minimizes its environmental footprint while maintaining exceptional product quality.
This health-focused dimension complements Pelagia’s broader mission of sustainability, showcasing their ability to adapt to evolving market demands while addressing global health and wellness trends.
Take-Home Message
Our visit to Pelagia was a compelling testament to the power of sustainable practices, innovation, and collaboration in the fish processing industry. From Ola’s engaging presentation to Hallgeir’s detailed tour of the facilities, the experience underscored how companies like Pelagia are redefining industrial standards for marine resource management.
I found this excursion to Pelagia enlightning regarding marine sustainability: it was interesting to see how wastes/co-products from fish farming can become valuable ressources as feed later, favouring circularity. It gives hope to see sustainable initiatives that can help reduce the carbon footprint of fish farming by recirculating and revaluing co-products. Virginie
Pelagia’s integration of cutting-edge technology, adherence to SDGs, and emphasis on partnerships with academia offer a model for sustainable industrial operations. Their proactive approach to value addition, particularly in utilizing fish byproducts, positions them as leaders in both environmental and economic sustainability.
The visit also highlighted the potential of industry-academic collaborations to address pressing challenges and drive innovation. Such partnerships are pivotal for advancing sustainability and fostering a balanced approach to industrial growth.
Pelagia’s achievements demonstrate that sustainability and profitability can coexist, offering valuable lessons for the broader industry. This visit not only broadened our understanding of sustainable fish processing but also reaffirmed the critical role of innovation and collaboration in shaping a sustainable future. Shreesha
Ferd Externships include:
- 1 - 2 days of pre-training - non-academic CVs, interviews, skills, expectations etc
- 3 - 4 days of job shadowing in a company - either private or public sector
- half day de-brief - following up on the experience, discussing competences and prospects
Interested in hosting an extern?
Get in touch with the Ferd team here: ferd@uib.no
