Aker BioMarine launches algae DHA ingredient called FloraMarine

Photo © iStockphoto.com/Tina_Rencelj

Aker BioMarine (Oslo, Norway) has announced the launch of a new algae oil, called FloraMarine, at this year’s Natural Products Expo West. The company states that the oil delivers 60% DHA in one dose for the highest, natural concentration of algae DHA on the market. According to the company, FloraMarine does not have to be up-concentrated unlike standard natural triglyceride and algae oils which become altered molecularly into ethyl esters and re-esterified triglyceride molecules.

“Red meets green is one of the best ways to describe the addition of FloraMarine to our ingredient portfolio,” said Simon Seward, chief executive officer of Human Health Ingredients for Aker BioMarine, in a press release. “While krill oil remains the flagship ingredient in our business, we recognize the need for a high-quality plant-based omega-3 source that delivers valuable DHA with specific effects on a wide range of functions including brain, eye, maternal and fetal health. At a time when the marine omega-3 category is facing supply challenges due to climate and environmental impacts, which limit the availability of traditional fish oil, we are offering a unique and stable solution to the industry.”

The product is also made in-house by Aker BioMarine, utilizing existing crude oil plant in Houston, TX. “So, we have a really favorable cost-positioning and can be really competitive because basically all our costs are already covered from the krill side,” said Matts Johansen, CEO of AkerBiomarine to Nutritional Outlook. “And then of course, using the experience we have of building krill from nothing into quite a large segment today. We see that we can play a role in building algae in a similar way because it’s a great product that deserves its place out in the market.”

“Like we have shown in the krill oil industry, we have strong ambitions and an excellent track record of bringing unique, innovative, and novel sources of omega-3 to the industry. Our capabilities to extract various ingredients at our Houston manufacturing facility will help give us that competitive advantage,” said Seward, in a press release.