Skretting agrees major deal with Finnish insect company

The global aquafeed company Skretting and the Finnish insect ingredient producer Volare have agreed a commercial collaboration to produce ingredients for Skretting’s Norwegian salmon feed. Skretting has secured a substantial capacity in Volare’s factory in Finland, which is set to start construction this year.

The new factory represents Volare’s first venture into production at an industrial scale.

Volare said its insect-based products offer an environmentally friendly solution to the evolving needs of aquafeeds, aligning with Stavanger-based Skretting’s ambitious sustainability targets.

By incorporating insect protein from Volare, Skretting says it aims to further enhance the sustainability and nutritional value of its aquafeed products, contributing to a more resilient seafood industry.

It adds: “Given that around 75% of the salmon farming carbon footprint arises from feed, and 95 percent of the feed footprint originates from raw materials, partnerships are essential for industry-wide change.

“Skretting is committed to ambitious targets on increasing the share of novel sustainable ingredients in its feeds, and the collaboration with Volare contributes to fulfil the Norwegian government’s newly set sustainability goals for the feed sector.”

Volare said its innovative technology is designed to ensure low energy consumption, eliminates the need for fossil fuels, and produces zero wastewater, further enhancing the sustainability of the collaboration. Volare’s ingredient will reduce CO₂ emissions and reliance on wild fish in aquaculture.

Erling Johansen, Purchasing Manager for Special Ingredients at Skretting Norway, said: “We are constantly looking for novel sustainable raw materials, and this is a welcomed addition to our current supply of insect meal.

“We need more volume, and this new Nordic supplier and their work to scale up the industrial production of ingredients is good for our industry. We are looking forward to the collaboration with Volare and their focus on sustainable and high-quality products.

“The collaboration leverages the advantages of a Nordic partnership. Typically, the feed industry does not make advance commitments, but for important new sustainable ingredients companies are willing to break the pattern and commit to further improving the industry’s sustainability results.”

Jarna Hyvönen, Volare’s Chief Commercial Officer, added: “Skretting’s expertise and attitude have been impressive. Witnessing how well they understand their customers’ needs and how we can contribute to serving those needs has been inspiring.”

Jarna Hyvönen, CCO Volare