Visitas: 125
Aquaculture Magazine reports:
Responding to the growing demand for sustainable Omega-3 EPA & DHA, the Dutch company Veramaris increased its production volume by 50% in 2023. Now, the company’s new sustainable development report shows how this was achieved with minimal increases in environmental footprint.
“2023 marks a pivotal year for Veramaris, as we not only achieved a record increase in production volumes but also solidified our market position. We are now looking to scale up sustainably, streamlining our production processes and forging new partnerships,” said Veramaris CEO Gertjan de Koning.
Veramaris marked a milestone by reaching record production volumes in 2023, contributing to the supply of alternative sources of Omega-3 EPA & DHA for aquafeed. The company has been at the forefront of addressing the market’s growing need for sustainable Omega-3 EPA & DHA, which has risen in parallel with the global trend towards greater demand for aquaculture and healthy seafood.
Only a 3% rise in total greenhouse gas emissions
As set out in the company’s new sustainable development report, this significant growth in output was achieved with only a marginal increase in greenhouse gas emissions. Veramaris reported only a 3% rise in total greenhouse gas emissions, demonstrating its progress in decarbonizing its operations.
This commitment to sustainability is further evidenced by the recent registration of a 27% lower product carbon footprint, reflecting the company’s ongoing efforts across multiple initiatives to simultaneously decarbonize and improve the efficiency of its operations.
Veramaris’ new sustainable development report summarizes its achievements in 2023, its new targets and more details about the company’s sustainability-related partnerships. Can be useful to know that the full report is available on the company’s website.
Canadian authorization for algal oil in aquafeed
Some weeks before the release of the news, Veramaris announced they has been granted the first market authorization in Canada for the inclusion of algal oil in feeds for salmonid species. As a key supplier of Omega-3 EPA & DHA-rich algal oil, the company has completed the necessary three-year registration process for its use in Canadian salmonid farming.
The authorization allows Veramaris to provide Canadian aquaculture with a secure source of ASC- and MSC-certified EPA & DHA — nutrients essential for fish health, welfare and the nutritional value of farm-raised seafood. The algal oil, produced in Blair, Nebraska, USA, is a regional solution that supports the industry’s move towards adopting alternative Omega-3 sources and reducing dependency on fish oil as a primary source of essential fatty acids for salmon feed.
“The Canadian registration of Veramaris’ algal oil is key to supporting the rising global demand for alternative sources of Omega-3 EPA & DHA. Securing authorization in Canada is an important step not only for Veramaris but also for the entire aquaculture industry,” said de Koning.
The registration has been welcomed by the Canadian aquaculture sector. Tim Kennedy, President & CEO of the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance, noted, “Canadian aquaculture is at a pivotal point, and Veramaris’ algal oil brings us closer to achieving our sustainability aspirations. This registration not only highlights the strategic value of aquaculture in Canada but also demonstrates the industry’s commitment to innovation and environmental stewardship.”
Canada is the world’s fourth-largest producer of salmonids, including farmed Atlantic salmon.
Emissions commitments with first Scope 3 targets
Ono the other hand, the company announced a Scope 3 greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction target to reduce absolute Scope 3 emissions by 22.5% by 2030, compared to a 2021 baseline, further building on the company’s climate commitments. Scope 3 GHG emissions are the largest proportion of emissions in the aquaculture value chain.
Veramaris’ new targets will lead to lower emissions for partners along the value chain and a more sustainable product for consumers. The new commitment came after the company registered a 27% lower product carbon footprint in an updated Environmental Product Declaration shared with its customers.
In August 2022, Veramaris committed to reducing its GHG emissions by setting a science-based target, which was approved by the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi) aimed at urgently limiting global warming to below 1.5°C. The new Scope 3 target strengthens these commitments.
The company has focused efforts on decarbonizing its operations, building on SBTi targets. The resulting emphasis on both technical and operational improvements, coupled with increasing productivity and capacity utilization all contributed to quickly reducing the product carbon footprint.
