Unique fish feed from Trøndelag

Barnacles are crustaceans found in vast numbers all over the world. They attach themselves in the intertidal zone, to ships or other structures. Planktonic uses barnacle larvae as feed for marine fish species, prawns and langoustines.

'We are the only company in the world able to supply live marine plankton as fish feed on an industrial scale. We have developed a method for harvesting barnacle eggs, which we freeze and store in large quantities. Fish farmers simply thaw the eggs in seawater, allowing them to hatch. The larvae then swim out and become a natural food source for the fish in the tank,' explains Rune Husby, CEO of Planktonic.

He says they have patented the use of barnacles as fish feed and are in the process of patenting their cryopreservation technology, which is their freezing method.

In 2008, founders Håvard Aakerøy and Nils Tokle began exploring the idea of using plankton, the natural food of fish, as fish feed. They contacted us to advance their technology development and market activities.

'We have met many highly skilled people at Innovation Norway who have recognised the potential of what we are doing. Their support has been instrumental in helping us find the right funding schemes and develop successful project proposals that have received grants and loans,' says Husby.

Our financial advisor at Innovation Norway Trøndelag, Ann Kristin Lund Aaker, says the business idea is patented, unique and sustainable, and delivers significant financial benefits for both fish farmers and the company. It improves fish health and addresses major socioeconomic challenges.

‘The feed addresses the challenges involved in farming marine fish species such as halibut, cod and ballan wrasse in Norway, as well as a range of species internationally, including sea bream and sea bass, where considerable energy and resources are spent on fish that die during the farming period. It also makes it possible to farm species that cannot be farmed today.’

In addition to advisory, loans and a grant from Innovation Norway, the company has received financial support from the Research Council of Norway.

Planktonic has received support through several rounds of EU funding, totalling more than NOK 40 million. The latest award of NOK 14.5 million was granted to launch its solution on the global market.

‘The funding will be used to develop more barnacle-based feed products and explore opportunities for large-scale production internationally. Our goal is to secure a significant share of the global market,’ Husby emphasises.

We encourage more Norwegian scaleups to apply for funding from the European Innovation Council (EIC). Competition is fierce, but our regional EU advisors provide valuable support with writing applications and preparing for interviews.

'There is no doubt that the support we received from Innovation Norway was crucial in securing the EU funding,' says Husby.

Planktonic impressed the jury in Brussels with a groundbreaking innovation that has a global market and significant impact. They also demonstrated that they have a highly motivated team that never gives up.

Expanding internationally is a natural step for Planktonic. The company can offer the same service and product abroad as it does at home. Its key markets are marine fish in Norway and Europe, and shrimp in Asia and South America. Our offices have supported the company with advice and valuable contacts.

'You need a local representative with an in-depth understanding of the culture, the language and, not least, the industry. You are in a vulnerable position and do not get many chances to prove your value, so it is important to stay close to the customer, follow up and persevere even when you encounter challenges along the way,' says Husby.

The company is the market leader in supplying ballan wrasse and lumpfish in Norway, Wales and Scotland, as well as the sought-after sushi fish yellowtail amberjack in Europe.

- Our goal is to scale up the supply of raw materials through aquaculture, further develop our production equipment, develop feeding protocols for our key markets and build an organisation that grows with the task. The right funding and the right people will get us there.