How it’s Made
Harnessing the power of natural marine microalgae
At our state-of-the-art facility in Blair, Nebraska, in the US, Veramaris uses natural microalgae, fermenting them with precision to yield a nutrient-rich oil full of essential Omega-3 EPA & DHA fatty acids. The zero-waste process includes cultivation, harvesting, and an efficient extraction method that not only yields nutrient-rich oil but also generates Veraferm, a valuable by-product for cattle feed.
By transforming these microalgae into precious algal oil, we set a new industry standard and contribute to the health of animals and people globally, while reinforcing our commitment to sustainability.
Watch the video to learn more.
Key statistics
US $ 200 million facility with proprietary technology
First harvest of production happened in May 2019
Science Based Target to de-carbonise: Reduction of Scope 1 & 2 emissions by 38% till 2030
Reduction of Scope 3 emissions
by 22.5% till 2030
Production relies solely on
100% renewable electricity
Producing Omega-3 through waste-free fermentation
Our production site is located in Blair, Nebraska – right in the middle of the United States of America.
It is one of the biggest biotech production facilities worldwide.
Materials
The Veramaris process has been refined to the point where it requires only two main materials: sugar and marine algae. This is a result of 35 years of intensive research, including the study of some 6,500 different microalgae, and a sophisticated proprietary biotechnology. Any plain sugar can be used as a substrate, but since our facility is located in Nebraska we currently use locally-produced corn sugar that comes from 16 local counties. The process is also supported by some other basic ingredients, including salts, nutrients, acids, vitamins and water.
Cultivation
The raw materials are blended and this substrate is then transferred into a laboratory fermenter containing the precise balance of nutrients and vitamins necessary for the microalgae cells to flourish. Our algae are unique heterotrophic organisms that thrive without sunlight. The cells then move through progressively larger fermentation vessels, allowing the microalgae to accumulate high levels of Omega-3 EPA & DHA fatty acids, setting the stage for the subsequent harvesting and extraction of the algal oil.
Harvesting
When the algae cells are saturated with oil, they progress to the harvesting phase. The cell walls are carefully opened and the highly concentrated algal oil that's mainly used as an ingredient in aquaculture feed is separated from the liquid co-product, Veraferm, which is used to enrich cattle feed. This meticulous process is designed to be waste-free, reflecting Veramaris dedication to environmental responsibility.
Co-product
During the harvesting phase, the valuable co-product, Veraferm, is isolated. Veraferm is the residual material left after the algal oil is extracted and consists of protein, coming from the microbial cell walls, and energy, from the remaining oil. This serves as a sustainable cattle feed in local farms, supporting the circularity of production.
Algal Oil
The result is Veramaris algal oil. With a concentration of 65% EPA & DHA, Veramaris algal oil delivers a potency that is up to five times that of traditional fish oil sources. This not only reduces the reliance on wild fish stocks, but also provides a consistent and scalable supply of these nutrients.
The algal oil product is certified by the Aquaculture Stewardship Council and the Marine Stewardship Council – underscoring our commitment to sustainable business practices.
