© Hailia
Under the agreement Kalavapriikki will implement Hailia’s technology at their production facility in Kuopio – the first time this technology will be implemented outside Hailia’s own factory.
Kalavapriikki produces food products from locally sourced rainbow trout and aims to double its volumes to 4,000 tonnes in 2025 by also using imported Atlantic salmon. Having recently opened a brand new automated filleting line, the company is looking to build on the success of its existing pulled rainbow trout product to increase its use of sidestreams like frames and fins for human food. Kalavapriikki’s vision is to be Finland’s most responsible producer of fish products, and the collaboration enables scaling production while also improving sustainability and circularity.
“Our goal has always been to create sustainable food solutions from Finnish fish, and Hailia’s technology allows us to push the boundaries even further. By turning sidestreams into convenient food products for everyday use, we’re maximising the value of our resources and setting a new standard for responsible seafood production together,” said Jari Korhonen, CEO of Kalavapriikki, in a press release.
An impressively small carbon footprint
Global food demand is projected to rise by 35–56 percent by 2050, with seafood demand increasing by over 50 percent. Meeting this surge drives a high demand for new and innovative human food sources. At the same time, reducing the carbon footprint of food systems is vital, as our food supply chain currently contributes approximately 30 percent of global emissions.
Today, sidestreams from fish processing are mainly used for products like animal feed, fish oils, and health supplements. After filleting, half of the fish weight, including the frame and fins, is lost outside food production. These parts of the fish are still high in meat content and nutrients such as healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals, offering untapped potential for human nutrition. When Hailia’s technology is integrated into Kalavapriikki’s production by early 2026, these sidestreams will be used for human food products on a larger scale.
“Kalavapriikki is leading the way in sustainable fish processing, and after a year of working together, we truly appreciate and see their role as a pioneer in the industry. Just three months after we launched our first product together, they are taking the leap and implementing our technology in their production facility. That says everything about how forward-thinking they are as a company. They not only “talk the talk, but also walk the walk”, when stating that sustainability and carbon neutrality drive their work,” says Michaela Lindström, CEO of Hailia
Additionally, Hailia has just finalized preliminary calculations to demonstrate the carbon footprint of rainbow trout products made with its technology. The calculation, performed using tools provided by food industry carbon calculator Biocode, shows that food produced by Hailia’s technology using sidestreams offers a route to products with carbon footprints comparable to plant-based proteins.
