Grøntvedt ramps up production for CETO3 omega-11
Introduced in 2023, CETO3 is sourced from North atlantic Pelagic Fish and contains cetoleic acid, also known as omega-11. Early studies have found that omega-11 can stimulate the body’s production of EPA/DHA via the liver's conversion of ALA to boost omega-3 index and omega-11 levels.”
“Studies with oils rich in omega-11 (cetoleic acid) have significantly shown improvements in LDL cholesterol, insulin sensitivity and glucose levels," said Stig Jansson, chief innovation officer at Grøntvedt Biotech. "These are areas where standard fish oil with EPA/DHA have shown low or no effects.”
The ingredient’s 30-minute processing time from fresh fish to oil reduces the risk of lipid oxidation and eliminates fishy smell or taste for incorporation into capsule or liquid products.
“We already have consumer product launches out in the global consumer market with innovative first mover consumer brands and more launches to come globally in 2024,” added Henrik Traaholt, the company's chief commercial officer.
The investment will be used to boost production at Grøntvedt's processing plant in Uthaug, Norway, increasing the availability of the new-to-market ingredient by 50% to meet fast-growing demand for omega-3 and alternative ingredients.
Sustainable sourcing
Grøntvedt uses pelagic fish, defined as fish that occupy midwater and upper layers of the ocean, and explains that "all pelagic fish is low on environmental pollutants as they swim neither close to the bottom or near the shore ensuring it is low on environmental pollutants.”
It also ensures that harvesting takes place under a Norwegian license and strict quote management control and uses the entire fish, with 40% used for human food and the trimmings immediately processed in a human grade production line into fish oil.
In 2023, the Grontvedt became Friend of the Sea certification, which requires the company to pass an audit to verify its production compliance within specific requirements.
These state that the omega-3 product must originate from trimmings or by-cuts of the seafood processing or from approved fisheries. If using the whole fish, the fishery must target a non-overexploited or endangered species, manage waste, be energy efficient and consider impact on the ecosystem.
“Grøntvedt Biotech produces the oil from trimmings after food production, in a high tech, energy saving, state of the art facility," Henriik Traholt, chief commercial officer at Grøntvedt, said. "The key is documenting full traceability back to the origin of the fish, where Grøntvedt have full control on each batch, origin of the fish, area of fishing and fishing vessel utilized."
