Aker BioMarine
Aker BioMarine is a leading human health and nutrition innovator that develops krill-derived products for consumer health and nutrition. Krill is a natural, powerful, and health-promoting source of nutrients from the pristine waters of Antarctica, and Aker BioMarine has a unique position in its industry. The ingredient portfolio consists of Superba Krill Oil, Lysoveta, FloraMarine, and PL+, as well as the consumer brand, Kori Krill. The innovative approach also extends into the spin-offs AION and Understory. Aker BioMarine is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange.
History
Aker BioMarine was established as an independent enterprise in 2006, building on years of deep-sea fishing experience as part of Norway's Aker Group. Its previous business activities were with the exception of the biotechnology company Natural, previously organized under Aker Seafoods Holding, a 100 percent subsidiary of Aker ASA. In 2003, Aker BioMarine began harvesting and processing Antarctic krill. Aker BioMarine claims to solve the problem of harvesting krill in both a commercially viable and environmentally sound way through its proprietary Aker ECO-Harvesting technology. The company re-listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange on July 6, 2020.Technology and products
Aker BioMarine produces krill products rich in omega-3 phospholipids. Krill is mainly used for the production of krill meal and krill oil, which in turn is used for animal or aquaculture feed and for human consumption through and omega-3 supplements.The company has registered Superba as the company’s brand name for nutraceuticals and Qrill as the company’s brand name for its krill meal and krill for aquaculture.
As for research, a 2009 study of Superba krill oil found that it gave a substantially larger reduction of fat in the heart and the liver than omega-3 from fish oil. A clinical study in children with attention deficit hyperactive disorder suggests that Superba krill oil offered significant improvements in both clinical scores and in identified EEG patterns as compared to typical ADHD EEG patterns. In one study, krill-fed salmon acquired 11% greater body weight than that of the fish in the control group.
In 2011, krill oil was classified as generally recognized as safe for use as a human food ingredient. In one study, krill-fed salmon acquired 11% greater body weight than that of the fish in the control group.
The company uses eco-harvesting, a technology that brings live krill on board the boat and prevents the unnecessary by-catch such as birds and sea mammals. It also reduces the waste incurred by traditional methods when a proportion of the catch at the bottom of the net is rendered unusable through pressure from the rest as it is hauled aboard.
The Marine Stewardship Council certified ECO-HARVESTING as sustainable on June 15, 2010. As of 2013, Aker BioMarine is the only krill fishery to achieve this distinction.
Fleet
As of 2024, Aker Biomarine operates a fleet consisting of four vessels, Three factory trawlers, and one support vessel, which transports krill from the trawlers, and crew and supplies to the trawlers, similarly to a platform supply vessel and reefer.| Name | Type | Year built |
| Antarctic Endurance | Trawler | 2019 |
| Saga Sea | Trawler | 1975/1999 Converted 2005 |
| Antarctic Sea | Trawler/factory | 1999 Converted 2009 |
| Antarctic Provider | Support Vessel | 2021 |