Veramaris Algal Omega-3 Oil for Aquafeed

Veramaris is a joint venture founded in 2017 by Evonik and DSM, each holding 50%, with its contact address in Delft, the Netherlands. It produces the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA from natural marine algae as an alternative to fish oil, so that feed makers can secure supply and reduce pressure on wild fisheries.

The algal oil is produced at a facility in Blair, Nebraska, which started in 2019 and first ran at full capacity in 2023, with bulk storage in Dordrecht added in 2025. It is used in salmon, shrimp and marine fish feed and is described as the first ASC-MSC certified microalgae oil. Veramaris supports feed mills, farmers and retailers with Optimum Omega Nutrition guidelines, an omega-3 deposition model and a forage fish dependency calculator.

• Algal EPA and DHA oil: omega-3 rich oil produced from natural marine microalgae.
• ASC-MSC certification: described as the first certified microalgae oil for fish and shrimp feed.
• Optimum Omega Nutrition: feeding guidelines for salmon, shrimp and marine fish.
• Omega-3 deposition model: tool to predict EPA and DHA levels in the final fillet or shrimp.
• FFDR oil calculator: estimates forage fish dependency of a feed formula.
• Industrial supply: production in Blair, Nebraska, with bulk storage in Dordrecht for European customers.

• Shrimp feed mills formulating premium ASC-compliant diets with reduced fish oil.
• Integrated shrimp exporters offering higher-omega-3 products to EU and Japanese retailers.
• Marine fish hatcheries and broodstock farms improving larval nutrition.

• Full fish oil replacement: algal oil can fully replace fish oil, bringing the FFDRoil marine footprint to zero.
• Better shrimp quality: tail muscle EPA and DHA rise with dietary levels without changing taste or texture.
• Health support: challenged shrimp fed alternative ingredients including algal oil showed significantly higher survival.
• Certification access: eligible for ASC-certified feed, supporting retailer sustainability requirements.

Fish oil supply is volatile and retailers increasingly require certified, lower-footprint seafood, pushing feed makers toward alternative omega-3 sources. Vietnam is a major shrimp and pangasius exporter, and exporters selling to the EU, US and Japan face growing sustainability and nutrition requirements on feed.

Founded in 2017 as a 50/50 joint venture of Evonik and DSM, building on algae discovered by Martek, which DSM acquired in 2011. Production started in Blair, Nebraska in 2019; a bulk storage tank in Dordrecht was added in 2025. CEO Mark van Nieuwland. Committed to science-based greenhouse gas targets in 2022.