INTERACTION WITH WATER AS A SHARED RESOURCE

Management and responsibility for freshwater withdrawals, waste water treatment and discharge are located locally in each company in the Group. The overall responsibility to form policies, establish KPI`s and strategies for our withdrawals, treatment and discharge of water lies with the Group management. In addition the Group have a responsibility to consolidate, and control reported water related data from all companies.

All Water withdrawal per source, and discharge per treatment type and destination are reported monthly through Cemasys (Cemasys.com). LSG have during 2022 developed Apps in PowerBI to monitor, control and analyse all environmental data reported through Cemasys. Based on these tools our companies are better equipped to control their environmental accounting, see trends and implement preventive actions to mitigate negative impacts. In addition we can monitor if our actions have the desired effect. Actual and potential impacts, both positive and negative from our operations have been identified through our materiality analysis and subsequent Risk evaluations.

LSG report in accordance with guidelines from several third party benchmarking organizations and stakeholders (Coller FAIIR, CDP and GRI). In 2022 LSG extended our risk assessment regarding water withdrawal, water discharge and consumption of freshwater for all locations in the group using WRI Aquaduct (https://www.wri.org/aqueduct) as a tool to identify which of our operations are located in areas with medium to high risk of Water Stress and Water Depletion. Locations identified as being at risk for Water Stress and/or Water Depletion (See table xxx below) are in a continuous process of monitoring their local impacts and form action plans and frameworks. Where policies are established on a national level, companies in the group have been informed and are in dialogue with official representatives. This is an ongoing process which have generated actions to reduce water withdrawal and improve water treatment of discharged water (See table xx below).

LSG are committed to ensure that all our employees have their basic needs regarding fresh water available in all our operations. This includes their right to access to clean quality fresh drinking water, sanitation facilities and clean working clothes. There have been no whistleblowing cases related this topic in 2022.

The Group have not registered any violations of regulations related to use of -and discharge of water in 2022.

Fresh water related data have been audited by third party.

More information can be found in our LSG Water withdrawal and waste water discharge Policy.

CAPEX and OPEX

Table 1: Water related CAPEX and OPEX:

WATER WITHDRAWL

The worlds dependency on clean freshwater have never been greater. With an increasing global population, increased temperatures due to increased Co2 emissions and increased pollution, it has become even more important to govern our water sources in a sustainable manner.

LSG take this responsibility seriously and strive to protect and safeguard the freshwater sources we draw water from. We have devised strict protocols and procedures to make sure that we do not draw on more water than we are allowed to.

We are also in dialogue with local stakeholders and communities thorough local meetings organized by Lerøy. We need, through our ASC certification, to have meetings with local stakeholders and communities to discuss concerns and questions they have. To this date water withdrawal, water discharge and consummation of water have not been a topic at any of these meetings. We have neither had any enquiries or questions asked regarding our water management from Stakeholders.

We also continue our effort to switch all flow through systems for Salmon farming over to RAS and invest in water saving equipment in our downstream operations (See table 1). 

Table 2: Overview water withdrawal, discharged water and Water withdrawal per kg produced LSG 2021 and 2022 with % change

*Incomplete dataset for 2021

**excluding farming operations (Farming, Smolt production, cleanerfish production and parentfish production)

Our water withdrawals have increased in 2022 compared to 2021. Our smolt production operations contribute to a significant part all the increase. We also see a decrease in some processing facilities, while an increase in the total volume water withdrawn for our VAP Sales and Distribution segment. Below is listed main reasons for the increase, and decrease in water withdrawal:

• Increased production volume in our smolt production operations at Bjørsvik (16 427 490 m3 2021 and 19 464 725 m3 in 2022)
• Flatråker produced fish of larger size in 2022 compared to 2021 (9 932 731 m3 in 2021 and 12 016 080 m3 in 2022). This demands higher throughput of freshwater.
• Water saving initiatives and investment in water saving equipment have resulted in a decrease in water withdrawal in our processing plants.
  1. Lerøy Aurora processing plant have reduced their water withdrawal (473 340 m3 in 2021 m3 to 428 050 m3 in 2022)
  2. Lerøy Turkey Processing have reduced their water withdrawal (15 649 m3 in 2021 to 14 394 m3 in 2022)
  3. Lerøy Seafood Holding BV in the Netherlands reduced their water withdrwal ( 130 976 m3 in 2021 to 110 193 m3 in 2022)
• Newly acquired companies and factories late 2021 and in 2022.
  1. Lerøy Seafood Italy Srl Opened in late 2021 (3 029 m3 water withdrawal in 2021 and 8 898 m3 in 2022)
  2. Acquired Lerøy Seafood Denmark late 2021 (68 386 m3 water withdrawal in 2021 and 178 923 m3 during 2022)
  3. New factory built in Kungelv Sweden in May 2022 (5 985 m3 during May – December).

Table 3: Water withdrawal per source in m3 (2022)

The farming segment used 0,36 m3 fresh water per kg fish produced, while our slaughterhouses used 0,0093 m3 freshwater per kg fish produced, and our VAP segment used 0,0058 m3 in 2022.  Wildcatch segment used 0,0052 m3 per kg fish produced. This signifies a reduction for all segments compared to 2021.

Water related impacts and Risks

In our operations, and mainly the Smolt operations, there have been identified risks which may have a negative impact on our operations. Long term drought has the highest consequences for our operations and may cause severe impacts on both fish welfare and economics. Long term drought which will deplete our water reserves in magazines is however deemed unlikely since access to clean high quality freshwater in Norway is good. In addition we have long term permits and agreements for water withdrawal from Water sources which mitigates some of the Risk of water shortages.

In addition, all processing factories located in areas with medium to High risk of Water stress (See table xx), there can be risk associated with access to clean freshwater. To date no such problems have been reported, but we are planning for the eventuality that it may become an issue.

Our Downstream units are mainly located in industrial zones. These zones have both heavy and low water intensive industry. Our operations and withdrawal of water in these zones are considered as low compared to the other industries. Our business could however be influenced if water shortages and or regulatory changes divert water permissions to high intensive industries in periods of shortages. This has not occurred, and we se it as unlikely to influence our operations

Water saving technology

The RAS (Recirculating Aquaculture Systems) technology allows Lerøy Seafood Group to produce fish with up to 99% reduction in water use compared to conventional flow-through systems. The Group started to use RAS-technology already in 2005.

In 2022, approximately 80% of all salmon smolt in Lerøy Seafood Group was reared with this technology. RAS technology also entails that we recycle and cleans the water before discharge. In 2022 the total volume of freshwater which was recycled and reused in RAS systems was approximately 76 537 628 m3. That is 78 % of the total withdrawn water in the group.

Tabell 5: List of water saving initiatives in companies with locations in medium to High risk of water stress (WRI Aquaduct)

WATER DISCHARGE - Effluents

We continue our work with water treatment and discharge data. During 2022 we have established new procedures and guidelines for reporting of water discharge data. We have included in the reporting the subtracting of Ice -and Brine production from the total waste water discharge figures. This way we are able to calculate our consumed water. From 2023 we will also include water evaporation from Rice cooking in our Sushi production.

In 2023 we will investigate, and implement if possible waste water discharge limits according to the World Bank Water Resource Management.  

All of our processing factories, new and old, are equipped with fat separators and UV light treatment. In some factories, where it’s necessary, we also have chemical treatment (Chlorine) of waste water in addition to mechanical treatment before discharge.

See table 4 for discharge volumes per segment, and factories in areas with medium to high water stress risks.

Management of Water discharge related impacts

The group had no water related incidents or accidents related to water withdrawal and water discharge in 2022.

Discharge water is analysed and tested in accordance with local regulations/requirements or permits (See tables 6-9), and deviations is handled in our quality management system.

Depending on location and local requirements parameters analysed can be TOC (Total Organic Carbon), N_tot (Total Nitrogen) and P_tot (total phosphor) for Juvenile fish production, or Biological oxygen demand (BOD), Chemical oxygen demand (COD) fats and solids for factories. The limit, or degree purified water for these can wary depending on permit and area of operations. The permits also describes which type of analyse must be done within each Limit (Phosporus in ml/l, Nitrogen in ml/l, fat in mg/l, COD and BOD and Settled solids (SS) in ml/l).

Below are tables showing examples of regulatory limits for operations in areas with low and medium to high risk of water stress.

Table 6: Discharge limits for a Juvenil fish production location in LSG 2022. Low risk of water stress.

Table 7: Discharge limits for Lerøy Turkey (VAPS&D segment). High risk of water stress

Table 8: Discharge limits for Lerøy France – Fishcut factory (VAPS&D segment) High risk of water stress

Table 9: Discharge limits for Brandasund (Industry - Slaughterhouse), Low risk of water stress.

In Holland there are no regulations for discharge water, they are only required to analyse their waste water before release to municipal water treatment plant once pr year.

In our farming segment our most water intensive operations are the juvenile fish production, and discharged wastewater from these operations are managed through approvals from local governments.

New technology and proximity to a biogas facility in Sweden have made it possible for one of our factories to send wastewater for treatment there, and at the same time recover biogas from the wastewater discharge. This has resulted in eliminating treatment on site which is beneficial for all parties.

Using RAS technology allows us to discharge the recycled water directly back to the source or directly to the sea according to our permits. These permits for release of discharge water have different parameters which needs to be fulfilled based on location (See table XX above).

All Water related non-conformites are reported, handled and stored in our Quality Management system. This system enables us to keep track of trends and implement correct corrective and preventive actions. Lerøy had no major incidents regarding wastewater spills or unwanted/unplanned discharge in 2022.

Water Consumption

In Accordance with CDP reporting framework we started to measure consumption of fresh water during 2022. Please see table 4 above for consumption data for the entire Group. The consumption of freshwater is calculated based on water withdrawal and water Discharge (Water withdrawal – Water discharge = Water consumption). Regarding the groups withdrawal of seawater for our processing operations, all withdrawn seawater is discharged directly back to the sea or municipal treatment centre.

The consumption of fresh water are related to ice production and Brine injection in our Industry and VAPS&D segment. From 2023 the consumption of water related to Rice cooking (sushi production) will also be included in the reporting. Not all factories have these activities so the consumption are zero for these units.

Lerøy do not use any water storage (facilities or reservoirs).

Water management Suppliers

Lerøy have in 2022 started a collaboration with our suppliers of fish feed regarding water risk Management. It is important to determine the full risk profile and understand the actions needed to minimize risks linked with water use related to agriculture raw materials. We are therefore together with our Feed suppliers in the process of finalizing a risk assessment survey to fully understand the suppliers risk profile and which actions have to been taken on water related infrastructure, sustainable water withdrawal, sustainable water supply, buffer zones and the protection of water bodies from pollution. This process have for some, and will result for others during 2023 in a water conservation and efficiency plan for each supplier.

In the cases where a plan already have been put together they include the following:

• Risk assessment of operations to identify which locations are in medium to high risk of water stress (WRI Aquaduct as tool).
• Monitoring water stress indices for each location
• Locations with high stress will implement water efficiency Programmes (WEP) to manage the risk.
• Plans to develop KPI`s for water reduction and improve water quality in areas with medium to high water stress.
• List of preventive actions implemented or to be implemented, to reduce water withdrawal and increase water quality
• Regulations and standards.

Waste water discharge

We continue our work with water treatment and discharge. All of our processing factories, new and old, are equipped with fat separators and UV light treatment. In some factories, where it’s necessary, we also have chemical treatment (Chlorine) of waste water in addition to mechanical treatment before discharge.

Our discharged wastewater from VAP/sales and distribution segment is mainly released to municipal treatment (412 071 m3) centres after internal treatment. Outgoing discharge water is tested in accordance with local requirments, and deviations is handled in our quality management system. In our farming segment our most water intensive operations are the juvenile fish production, and discharged wastewater from these operations are managed through approvals from local governments. All our units in this segment discharge treated wastewater (82 800 216 m3) directly into the sea in accordance with permits/agreements with local government based on analysis of the discharged water.

New technology and proximity to a biogas facility in Sweden have made it possible for one of our factory to send wastewater for treatment there, and at the same time recover biogas from the waste water. This has resulted in eliminating treatment on site which is beneficial  for all parties.

Our operations consumption of freshwater is not significant. We have therefore defined our discharge of wastewater to be the same as our intake of freshwater (2021: 85 115 628m3).

All Water related non-conformites are reported, handled and stored in our Quality Management system. This system enables us to keep track of trends and implement correct corrective and preventive actions. Lerøy had no major incidents regarding wastewater spils or unwanted/unplanned discharge in 2021.

Water related CAPEX and OPEX:

Waste handling and Sorting 

Improving our handling and sorting of waste is a continuous priority for LSG. Increasing our sorting Grade of waste for reuse, material -and energy recovery will greatly impact our environment through reduction of unwanted, hazardous and non-biodegradable waste in the environment . In this regard LSG began work in 2021 to investigate if a strategic partner within waste handling could be a solution, first and foremost for our Norwegian operations. This work is well underway and the result is planned to be shared in 2022.

Finding one strategic partner for all our waste handling in Norway will significantly influence how the local and central management works with waste. It will also give us the opportunity to better influence how -and what happens with our waste fractions. We see several opportunities in the future to strengthen our engagement and commitment to increase our degree of recirculation within the group, also outside of Norway.

In the meantime we have continued implementing strict sorting regimes in all our locations and strive, in collaboration with our waste handling companies, to make sure that all our waste is handled in a sustainable way by us and the recipient of the waste. In this the different waste handling companies, local and National governments are the main contributor and drivers to make the big changes. Without involvement, dedication and investments from them, it will be difficult to see a significant change in share of waste being, reused and recovered.

We are committed to continue our work in different forums like the UN Global Compact initiative to do what we can to push for change within the national and global regulations for waste handling and sorting. Our companies will also continue to audit and followup our suppliers on wastehandling to make sure that our waste is handled in a legal and sustainable manner.

All waste fraction data is mandatory to report to the group through its environmetal reporting system (Cemasys). Data reported monthy is based on invoice from Waste handling companies.

Our goal for 2021 was to increase the share by 5 % compared to 2020.  

The group reduced its share of non-organic waste which was recycled (Material recovered and re-used) in 2021 with 0,49% compared to 2020. Our share of recycled waste was 53,31 % (3 190 643 kg) compared to 53,80 % in 2020. Our Waste fractions which is not recycled are either sent to Energy recovery (21,9% (1 308 991 kg) of total volume), Landfill (9,9% (592 359 kg) of total volume) or Composting (0,1% (6395 kg) of total volume). In addition we had a category for other wastes in 2021 which represented 14,78 % (884 335 kg) of our total waste fractions . The Other category will be removed for the 2022 reporting, ensuring that our companies will add the waste fractions to the right destination and disposal method. 

We are not satisfied with a decline of 0,49 % in recycled waste in the group, even though we had a 2,66 % increase in waste volume in 2021. Since last year our companies have been in dialog with their respective waste handling companies and asked what could be done to increase the share of recycled waste. Some changes have been made on a local level and we see that the share of material recovery is increasing for some. Lerøy’s main operations is however in Norway, and the majority of our waste is generated in our farming section. This is one of the reasons why Lerøy started to look for a strategic partner for all waste handling in Norway in 2021. It gave us the opportunity to find a partner which suited our operations and need the best, and which could help us on our way to reach our goals in the future for waste handling.

Key requirements in the procurement process:

1) Better reporting functionality than we have today

2) Possibility to consolidate data on a group level

3) Infrastructure to handle and maintain service for all our locations in Norway

4) Clear strategy for recycling within the waste handling company which is in line with our own.

5) To be a contributing partner, finding good solutions to increase Lerøy`s share of recycled waste.

6) and more.

The share of hazardous waste in LSG is still low, and contribute less than 0,01 % of the total amount of waste we generate. Some of our factories still use fluorescent lights, so by changing them to LED lights we can reduce this even further. In addition, the electrifying of our feeding stations will also reduce our hazardous waste by eliminating the use of oils and lubricants for our generators.  

Electricity

The Group has established different revolutionary measures in order to reduce environmental impact; from obtaining power from land, hybrid fleets, floating  solar cells, to electric working boats.

Wherever it is possible, the Group seeks to use electricity sourced from land-based powerlines  instead of electricity from generators at each production site.

Power from land:

Power from land usually makes good overall  economic sense.

Power from land results in:

• Reduced emissions
• Less noise
• Good economy
• Less maintenance

The further development of power from land should entail a degree of overcapacity, thus enabling any future electrified boats to be recharged.

More than 65% of our sites now run on power from  land – a figure that will increase in the coming years. In 2022, there is a plan to replace fossil-fuelled  generators at 19 production sites. We will then have  85% of the Group`s sites on renewable electricity.

The various measures require technological  development and a high level of expertise, and in many ways, they represent a breakthrough in the industry.

Where the infrastructure is insufficient for land-based electricity, Lerøy Seafood Group is developing hybrid solutions that allow for up to 30% more efficient use of fossil fuels at each site. The Group has hybrid solutions with batteries at two production sites.

ORGANIC NON-EDIBLE MATERIALS

Organic waste in the group is reported in accordance with (EU) nr 142/2011. Category 2 and 3 Organic non-edible materials from our Farming activities is respectively 5,6 % and 8,5 % of the total volume produced.

Category 2 and 3 Organic non-edible materials from our VAP sales and Distribution segment is respectively 0,3 % and 4 % of the total volume produced.

The Group strives to increase the share for human consumption, and  aims to increase this by 50% by 2024. Projects across the Group have been ongoing since 2019.

We have e.g. invested in a harvest boat which will significantly increase fish welfare and volumes for harvest from our farming operations. This will reduce the volume in Category 2 significantly. In addition, several projects in our VAP, Sales and Distribution segment will  contribute to the reduction of food waste and increase the level of raw materials for human consumption.

RECYCLING

The Group is actively involved in the process of recovering plastic waste from the oceans through different programs, in order to protect marine wildlife. One of the activities is recycling our fish farming nets, ropes and old trawlernets.

Another activity is: “ Only on loan”. This is a project in which Lerøy Seafood works together with waste and recycling company Norsk Recycling to ensure that the packaging for products packed in aluminium trays is returned for recycling after use.  Such packaging is therefore only “on loan”.

Waste is a resource that is not properly utilised, and we aim to do something about this. We also focus on using the  correct packaging and the correct size of products in order to avoid waste.

EFFECTS OF RECYCLING OF FISH FARMING NETS, YARN AND OLD TRAWLS

USE OF ORGANIC SLUDGE FROM SMOLT PRODUCTION

Since 2013, when the juvenile production facility Belsvik opened, we have sent our organic sludge to a biogas production facility. The use of Organic sludge as biogas is sustainable, but we have found that long transportation of sludge with high content of water was less sustainable.

Investment in a drying facility on location was therefore recently decided and from 2023 we will be able to deliver dried sludge to the agriculture industry.

The Sludge will be used as a soil improvement material and fertilizer. Our other two major smolt production sites in Laksefjord and Kjærelva is already drying their sludge on site for the agriculture industry.

SUGAR KELP

The Group is also producing sugar kelp, which is another example of recycling. When we produce sugar kelp we use the nutritions from fish farming to produce sugar kelp and blue mussels.

Challenges

Globally food waste contribute to 8-10 % of the greenhouse gas emissions. 38% of total energy consumption within global food production can be attributed to food lost from the value chain or thrown away. 2 kg of CO2e are emitted for 1 kg of food waste,  almost 33% of all food produced worldwide is discarded. Food lost could be used to feed the global population and increase food security. Food loss is also resulting in loss of value creation. Reducing food waste is therefore an opportunity to increased efficiency and competitiveness, which can result in increased exports and earnings. The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals include a goal to reduce food waste by 50% by 2030.

Food waste includes all usable parts of food produced for humans, but which are either discarded or removed from the food chain for purposes other than  for human consumption.  We aim to reduce current food waste by 50%, including reduction in mortality in farming and increased utilisation of residual raw materials from wild catches (fishmeal, oil, silage) and reduction of floor fish and unsold products in the Industry/VAP segment.

Our ambition in this area

100kg fish = 100 kg product for human consumption

How we take action / What actions has been made

All the Group companies are working together to achieve this goal.

The Farming segment has introduced targeted measures to reduce food loss by minimising fish mortality. Among several action point, this involves transferring larger smolt at sea at the correct time, a high Omega 3 content in our feed to make our fish more robust, and investments in harvest boats with slaughtering facilities so that fish can be slaughtered directly at the edge of the cage.

The Wild Catch segment aims to reduce food loss by preserving residual raw materials, producing meal, oil and ensilage that can be returned to Lerøy's value chain. This process involves optimising production of meal, oil and ensilage on board the Group's trawlers

The VAP Sales & Distribution segment is taking action to reduce food waste by reducing the number of fish that fall on the floor, using the entire fish with our concept, “we use it all”, reducing the number of unsold products and non-utilised input factors in production, and optimising the shelf life of our products.

Policy

POLICY:  Food waste

How we measure our impact 

All companies in the group report their results every quarter through the reporting tool Cemasys.  The impact is visualized both at group and company level through reports in PowerBI and evaluated quarterly. If the performance trend deviates from the target (0 or negative), the cause must be identified and specific measures implemented, the effect of the measures evaluated and possibly adjusted towards the next quarterly measurement.

Targets and Results 

Regarding result on survival in sea more information available here.

On wild catch - production of meal, oil and ensilage volume have increased from 5439 tonnes to 6137 from 2021-2022, and in total with +3468 tonnes from 2019 to 2022. The increase is mainly cause of the vessel Kongsfjord  producing silage from 2019 and optimalization of oil and meal production on other vessels. The production have doubled from 2019, above target, and are utilized as an ingredient in our feed to farming division.

Level of floor fish and unsold products from the industry/VAP segment was in 2022;293 893 kg, this was an increase from 2021 with 167 478 kg. We believe the increase in volume is caused by improved registration of food waste by our processing facilities All facilities are working according the action plan to reduce floor fish and unsold products.

* data from 2019 is deficient or not complete. Base years must therefore be evaluated from the year 2020.

Action taken as a result 

Partner on the Norwegian authority project to  investigate measures to halve food waste, including a food waste law. Climate and Environment Minister Espen Barth Eide and Agriculture and Food Minister Sandra Borch present the committee which will investigate measures to achieve the goal of a 50 per cent reduction in food waste by 2030. Among other things, the committee will come up with a proposal for a food waste law. Petter Haas Brubakk, managing director of NHO Mat og Drikke and chairman of Matvett, will lead the committee. Matvett shall have the role of secretariat.

Participation in the project Charting food waste in the seafood industry, managed by Sintef

Further investment in processing facility for exploitation of residual raw materials from own factories to produce different types of processed fish (fish cakes, fish pudding)

24% increase in shelf life of consumer packages by making use of new Co2 emitters in consumer packages. A longer shelf life provides improved predictability and less waste.

Further development of the “we use it all” project by offering customers different products made from residual raw materials

Exploiting residual raw materials from the Wild Catch segment in feed for the Farming segment. This may involve increasing the content of marine raw materials in the feed, which in turn makes the salmon more robust and increases survival rates, or further reductions in the amount of wild caught fish from commercial fisheries in our feed.

Initiation of a new packaging method for whole salmon and fillets. This involves using new technology allowing for transport of fresh fish by boat over longer distances, where the shelf life starts when the package is opened. This allows for more control over time and shelf life of raw materials used in production.

Challenge

Every year, more than eight million tonnes of plastic end up in the sea, and more than 90 percent of all seabirds have plastic in their gut. In 2050, there will be more plastic in the sea than fish. Plastic in itself becomes a problem when it is carelessly disposed of, represents a threat to animal life and ends up as microplastic in the sea. Microplastics accumulate in the food chain, bringing with them environmental toxins that negatively affect food safety in the food we eat.

Half of all the plastic manufactured is only used once and then thrown away. About 5 kg of CO2e are emitted for 1 kilogram of plastic – 2 kg resulting from the production of the plastic and 3 kg of CO2 are emitted when the plastic is burned after use. For some types of plastic, the number may be 4.5 – and for others 5.5 kg

Our ambition in this area

Reduce the total consumption and prevent inappropriate disposal of plastic.

How we take action /what action has been taken

As part of the 50/50-5 project, Lerøy has introduced sub-projects throughout the value chain to reduce general plastic consumption and consumption of non-recyclable plastic by 50% within 2024. Each segment is measured in terms of development, and initiatives are shared across the Group. For Farming segment; Purchased feeding tube & ropes are measured, for wildcatch and the VAPS&D segment purchased vacuum film, single use plastic and EPS are measured.

Lerøy take part in a number of measures to  to clear up plastic in the environment read more about this here

POLICY:  Plastic

How we measure our impact

All companies report their results every quarter via the Cemasys reporting tool. Impact is illustrated both at Group and company level with the PowerBI analysis tool. If the performance trend deviates from the target (0 or negative), the cause must be identified and specific measures implemented, the effect of the measures evaluated and possibly adjusted towards the next quarterly measurement.

Action taken due to result 

ILerøy has taken part in a project together with NORCE to investigate the amount of microplastic in fish fillets and organs in farmed salmon – SalmoDetect.

By reducing a chamber previously used to label products in plastlink, we were able to reduce our plastic consumption by 10,000 kg. Labels are now placed directly on the foil.

By reducing the thickness of vacuum film for certain products, we have been able to substantially reduce our plastic consumption without having an impact on the technical properties of the film.

By collaborating with our customers, we have increased the percentage of filling for our products so that we use less plastic in kg per kg of product.

Lerøy shall have an overview of plastic purchased throughout the entire Group. Lerøy shall also assess waste management and recycling of these types of plastic to determine the level of sustainability across national borders.

We shall limit the use of plastic when other sustainable materials meet the technical requirements. We shall play an active role in the development of alternative packaging materials for consumer packages and distribution packages.

Targets and Results 

For 2022 the group used 8 392 168 kg of plastic within the identified areas, this is an substantial increase from 2021. In the last year, the group has run a project called sustainability in daily operations. The purpose of the project is to create awareness in the organization in order to obtain correct and verified reporting of sustainability figures with associated reduction measures. We believe that the reason for the increase is better quality reporting in the organisation.

* data from 2019 is deficient or not complete. Base years must therefore be evaluated from the year 2020.

PRODUCTION OF SUGAR KELP

Producing sugar kelp is a very efficient way of binding CO₂ already dissolved in the sea. Farming sugar kelp does not require any input of freshwater, fertiliser, pesticides or land. The plant captures the nitrogen, phosphorus and carbon (as CO₂) directly from the ocean. On average, 1.000 kg (wet weight) sugar kelp contains 26 kg carbon equal to 100 kg CO₂ – which is higher than the same volume for wood.

Ocean Forest AS is an R&D company, and the Group has a 50% share in this company together with NGO Bellona Holding AS. The company is focusing on the production of low trophic species such as macro algae, blue mussels and polychaeta.

Main goal:

• To reduce the footprint of our fish farming activities by capturing dissolved nitrogen, phosphorus and carbon dioxide from the water
• To develop new ingredients for human consumption or animal feed
• To develop new species for the Norwegian aquaculture industry

The use of sugarkelp as an feed ingredient for cattles provides a significant reduction in methane emissions from cattle farming.

PRODUCTION OF BLUE MUSSEL MEAL

Ocean Forest AS has focus on the production of blue mussels, not for human consumption but mainly as a source of marine protein in feed. We have conducted a series of growth studies with Atlantic salmon demonstrating that blue mussel is an excellent fishmeal replacement.

The challenge has been to produce a blue mussel meal free of shell fractions on an industrial scale. We have now ordered special equipment that will enable us to separate the meat from the shell on an industrially efficient scale. In addition, blue mussels will also contribute to cuts in CO₂ emissions.

NEW RAW MATERIAL FOR FEED

The Group has a major ongoing programme for developing new innovative raw material for fish feed. Historically, Lerøy has been a prime mover regarding  the use of Omega-3 fatty acids produced from microalgae to increase the level of Omega-3 in our  feed compared to industry standard, and for the introduction of Camelina oil and the ban on ethoxyquin. Last year, we were the first company to start using  insect meal in all our freshwater feed delivered by one of our feed suppliers.

Today, we buy the full volume of insect meal the producer can produce. We are also involved in very interesting projects relating to blue mussel meal and seaweed in salmon feed. Both projects are part of a major EU-supported project – “Holofood”, involving a series of issues, such as feed utilisation and retention, growth performance, fish and gut health.

Methane reduction with sugar kelp

The Group is also delivering sugar kelp to an exciting project in Denmark. In the project, they mix sugar kelp with feed for cows. Compared with ordinary diets with normal cow feed, the project shows that  this mixture provides a 50% reduction in the methane emissions from the cows. Fermented sugar kelp in feed also proved successful.

Methane concentration from pure sugar kelp feed,  maize silage and sugar beet pulp fermented.

While the use of antibiotics is almost non-existent in Norwegian fish farming, it is a major problem in  production of red meat. Here too, sugar kelp can be helpful. The trials in Denmark show that sugar kelp in pig feed, helps with intestinal health and reduces the need for antibiotics.