BioMar’s Sustainability Report 2024 reported some days ago a FFDR of 0.37, the lowest ever. This milestone was achieved thanks to the innovative use of alternative ingredients and trimmings, which now account for 55% of total marine ingredients. However, the ever-changing market conditions for raw materials might make it challenging to sustain this position over time.
Carlos Díaz, CEO of BioMar Group commented: “We have had an impressive sustainability year. Proving that being sustainable is not only the right thing to do but also makes good business sense. Our early investment in innovation and raw material development is paying off, and we will likely see an escalation in the production of alternative materials in the coming years.”
In 2024, BioMar’s innovation pipeline assessed a record number of alternative raw materials and almost 1 million tons of aquafeed containing microalgae were produced. This represents around 70% of BioMar’s total aquafeed volume.
“We have successfully embedded a sustainability mindset across the company, from R&D to commercial teams worldwide. Of course, we can do more, but we are very happy with our progress,” added Díaz.
Company’s Commitment is on Track
BioMar’s commitment to reducing its total feed carbon footprint by one-third by 2030 is on track. The total feed carbon footprint has reduced by 14.4% from its 2020 baseline. This is a relative target that uses life cycle assessment to measure carbon emissions per tonne of feed produced. Regarding absolute emissions reduction, BioMar was the first aquafeed company to sign up for the SBTi 1.5°C trajectory.
“We continue to deliver good results on our SBTi carbon reduction targets. This year we have achieved a 20.6% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions and a 23.6% reduction in Scope 3 emissions from the baselines,” said for his part Vidar Gundersen, Global Sustainability Director, BioMar Group.
BioMar’s “Enable People” pillar has significantly improved in several internal and external social areas. New human rights policies were implemented in parental leave, health and safety, and supply chain compliance and the target for 2030 of 100% Living Wage reached 99.9% this year.
BioMar is now almost halfway towards achieving all its 2030 Sustainability Ambitions, demonstrating strong progress across its climate action, circular economy, and social impact targets.
For Biomar’s CEO, “these results are the outcome of strong collaboration with our partners and a clear focus on delivering long-term value through responsible innovation.”
Consolidating and Advancing
The news comes just weeks after the company’s announcement of the agreement to acquire full ownership of LetSea, Norway’s leading aquaculture research and experimentation center, following the acquisition of the remaining shares in KapNor and located in the municipality of Dønna on the Helgeland coast. With this investment, BioMar seeks to consolidate and advance its innovation work, which includes aquaculture feed, the development of new feed ingredients and the continuous improvement of fish performance, health and welfare.
BioMar is a global leader in sustainable aquaculture, providing innovative feed solutions across more than 90 markets and tailored for over 45 species. According to them, their operations are strategically divided to ensure they meet the “unique needs” of their customers worldwide.
Its Salmon Division supports salmonoid farming in Norway, Scotland, Chile, and Australia. In Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, our EMEA Division specializes in finfish, with production sites in Denmark, France, Spain, Greece, and Turkey. The LatAm Division leads shrimp feed production in Latin America, operating in Ecuador and Costa Rica. In Asia, they serve a wide variety of species with facilities in China and Vietnam.
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