GC Rieber VivoMega completes US$75M omega-3 production expansion

17 Jun 2024 --- GC Rieber VivoMega opened its new omega-3 manufacturing facility campus in Norway. The US$75 million expansion will double the company’s output of its high-end triglyceride form of marine omega-3s EPA and DHA and vegan EPA and DHA algal oils. 

“This is an exciting time for GC Rieber VivoMega and our customers,” says Snorre Glærum Strand, CEO at GC Rieber VivoMega. 

“With the supply of fish oils starting to normalize somewhat thanks to improvements in ongoing fishery, and the growing demand for sustainable, traceable, high-quality omega-3 increases, this new facility allows us to meet the varying consumer needs, including a vegan alternative EPA and DHA.” 

The investment also includes a 38,000 metric ton storage tank park and an electric steam boiler, allowing the company’s three facilities to run on 100% renewable energy. Moreover, it will enable additional heating capabilities to maintain the quality of omega-3 oils and make extraction easier in winter. Additional nitrogen allows the company to remove oxygen to create improved sensory profiles. 

Expanding facilities 
According to GC Rieber VivoMega, the new facility fully aligns with EU Green Deal initiatives and the UN Global Compact guidelines. The company is also SEDEX-certified. 

“To further minimize our eco-footprint, we used much of the existing infrastructure, including docks, tanks and laboratories. We are also proud to announce that this addition will bring new jobs to GC Rieber VivoMega, as we continue growing, “Snorre Glærum Strand adds. 

With the new facility, the Norwegian company will become one of the largest manufacturers and storage facilities of fish and algae globally. 

Omega-3 innovations
Responding to a growing demand for vegan supplements and alternatives, GC Rieber VivoMega introduced a vegan algae oil with 700 mg/g and 400 mg/g DHA concentrate, containing a minimum of 90% triglycerides. 

At this year’s Vitafoods Europe trade show, the company launched a new microalgae-based oil with both EPA and DHA, highlighting an industry need for algal-based omega-3s. 

Last month, Nutrition Insight discussed the status of the omega-3 market with the Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3s and krill oil specialist Aker BioMarine. Both organizations called for new sources of omega-3s, explaining that the supply of fish oil cannot expand at the same rate as the growing demand because fisheries safeguard sustainable production. 

GC Rieber VivoMega also developed VivoSens, a technology to analyze the components contributing to the taste and smell of omega-3 oils. This allows the company to rate an oil’s sensory performance and create a specification limit from batch-to-batch.