Minister of Food and Agriculture visits Bioco

In march, the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Nils Kristen Sandtrøen, visited the Bioco facility in Hærland, Indre Østfold – one of the world’s most advanced biorefineries for poultry by-products.

The minister was welcomed by CEO Eirik Pallin, Chief Operations Officer Jonathan Fjällman, and Head of Quality and Development Elin Klufterud Abelsnes, who presented Bioco’s high-tech process. Through continuous enzymatic hydrolysis, chicken and turkey bones are refined into high-value proteins, fats, and minerals.

Also present were Deputy Mayor of Indre Østfold Municipality Kathrine Hestø Hansen, Regional Director of Agriculture at the County Governor of Oslo and Viken Nina Glomsrud Saxrud, and Plant Manager at Nortura Hærland, Per Rasmussen.

Bioco receives fresh raw materials directly via pipelines from Nortura’s poultry plant next door, and refines them into ingredients with high nutritional value and bioavailability. This represents an efficient and sustainable use of resources that were previously underutilized – now creating significant added value.

Norilia is responsible for research, product development, and sales. The protein products are exported to markets such as the United States, where they are used in everything from soup bases to dietary supplements. Growing international demand shows that Norwegian plus products hold great potential – far beyond national borders.

Bioco was established in 2018 as a joint venture between Nortura and Felleskjøpet.