Simris Upgrades its Algae Farm to Double Down on Mission to Replace Fish

March 28, 2023 –
From Vegconomist

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Simris Group AB (previously Simris Alg AB) recently announced that after a deep cleaning and various upgrades of its algae farm operations in Hammenhög, Sweden, in January, its algae growth rates are more than three times the previous record rates.

Simris Group is a pioneering Swedish agribusiness growing microalgae founded in 2011 by Fredrika Gullfot. Besides growing algae, the company identifies high-value, natural, biologically active compounds (such as EPA and DHA Omega-3) in microalgae and cyanobacteria to extract for skincare, nutrition, and biopharmaceutical applications.

In 2020, Simris announced a capital raise to launch its products in the US market, claiming it has developed an industrial process to produce omega-3, as an alternative to fish oil and krill.

Simris founder Fredrika Gullfot © Simris

Natural products

Simris sustainably grows microalgae and cyanobacteria in optimised industrial-scale conditions within its photobioreactor facility to obtain its ingredients. It claims to have a library of over 1,200 cyanobacterial producer strains and have already identified over 5,000 natural products with potential application in multiple industries.

The company’s CPG portfolio includes Simris ALGAE OMEGA-3 capsules in three presentations: regular, for mothers, and for athletes. Its capsules are 100% plant-based, algae-derived, and GMO- free.

Replacing fish

According to the company, Omega-3s are essential fatty acids, meaning we must obtain them from our diet, usually by eating and taking supplements made with fish and seafood.

The Group’s vision is to replace fish-derived ingredients to relieve pressure on marine ecosystems by transforming the industry with new solutions and novel products straight from the source: algae.

Simris algae-derived suplemmets — © Simris

The algae farm upgrades

“The results have surpassed our expectations. This is the healthiest and fastest-growing algae culture I have seen in my nine years with Simris. We are currently installing LED lights on a larger reactor, where we expect to see similar results. Overall, we anticipate being able to double our average historical harvest over a rolling twelve-month period,” said Hannes Hall, Head of Algae Farm Simris Group AB.

Simris reported that some of the enhancements included sterilising the glass of its photobioreactors, improving the algae’s growth medium and lightening system with LED bulbs, and avoiding using chemicals in all incoming water.

Julian Read, CEO of Simris Group, said: “Doubling the amount of biomass and increasing the yield of Fucoxanthin will enable more sales at a higher margin. We can begin harvesting late in Q2 with new B2B shipments possible from the start of Q3.”

Fucoxanting is carotenoid found in microalgae used in nutraceuticals for weight loss and cleansing. (Stay tuned, maybe the company will launch a new product soon).

Source: Vegconomist.com