Upcycled DHA: Thai Union Ingredients valorizes tuna heads in omega 3 launch

23 Apr 2021 --- Thai Union Ingredients has launched the UniQDHA tuna oil range, nutritional DHA omega 3 oils made with tuna fish heads valorized from its parent company Thai Union Group.

The range comes in two forms: the UniQDHA crude oil, which delivers a DHA content of 28 to 30 percent, and the UniQDHA refined oil, which is positioned as a premium ingredient for sectors such as infant nutrition.

“This latest product range from Thai Union Ingredients epitomizes [the company’s sustainability] strategy, making sure that we not only use every part of every fish, but that we also help people of all ages stay healthy and active while fueling the development of their children,” says Thiraphong Chansiri, Thai Union’s CEO and president. 

For both products, the TUI manufacturing process uses less fish to produce the same amount of oil, uses fewer chemicals, consumes less energy and produces less waste, states the company. 

A “cutting-edge” facility
The UniQDHA crude oil is produced from selected raw materials via a gentle extraction process, resulting in “the purest and highest-quality crude oil in the market,” according to TUI. 

The UniQDHA refined oil, takes the crude oil as its base and has similar DHA levels to those found in fresh fish. It is produced in TUI’s “cutting-edge” facility in Rostock, Germany. 

The German refinery is a central part of TUI’s strategic plan to derive value from all the available co-products from tuna processing, providing healthy and nutritious ingredients to support the lifestyles of consumers of all ages, globally.

The Rostock facility in Germany is a central part of TUI’s strategic plan to derive value from all the available co-products from tuna processing (Credit: Thai Union Ingredients).Refined in Germany 
The plant is equipped with the latest processing technology, which meets the standards needed to produce high-quality products. 

The high-tech nature of the plant and the quality of its products allows TUI to explore other aspects of omega 3 production, including contract and toll manufacturing.

“UniQDHA is the next step on our journey to ensure that TUI keeps delivering healthy, high-quality ingredients to our customers,” says Leonardus Coolen, managing director of TUI. 

“Our Rostock plant is particularly exciting from a strategic perspective as it allows us to leverage our supply chain in an even greater way. The state-of-the-art technology at the plant means that we will continue to explore even more product options for the future.”

Traceability in the supply chain
The Rostock plant is the final point in TUI’s end-to-end supply chain for tuna oil and processes crude, white tuna oil from Thai Union plants in the Seychelles, Ghana and Thailand. 

The company guarantees full traceability of its products from dock to door, with capabilities to trace where each and every tuna fish is caught, how it is caught and by which vessel.

Omega 3s in demand 
Omega 3s have been a heart health mainstay for years but are increasingly being featured in nutritionals for pregnant women and infant nutrition. 

In recent studies, DSM found that omega 3s ARA and DHA combined at a 2:1 ratio reduced the risk of severe retinopathy of prematurity in extremely premature infants.

Moreover, Corbion recently highlighted that consumers are seeking sustainable solutions – including plant-based sources – to meet their omega 3 needs. 

Edited by Missy Green