Views: 222 Author: Sara Publish Time: 2025-08-26 Origin: Site
Content Menu
● Introduction to Fish Gelatin Manufacturing in Norway
● Leading Fish Gelatin Manufacturers and Suppliers in Norway
>> Norskin
● Fish Gelatin Manufacturing Process in Norway
● Applications and Benefits of Fish Gelatin
● Sustainability and Environmental Impact
● Suggested Visual and Video Content
● FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
>> 1. What makes fish gelatin unique compared to mammalian gelatin?
>> 2. Who are the main fish gelatin manufacturers in Norway?
>> 3. What industries use Norwegian fish gelatin?
>> 4. How is fish gelatin extracted?
>> 5. What sustainability benefits does fish gelatin production offer?
Norway, with its extensive coastline and abundant marine resources, has become a promising center for the development and production of fish gelatin. Fish gelatin, derived primarily from fish by-products such as skins, scales, and bones, plays a pivotal role in many industries including food, pharmaceuticals, and packaging. Norwegian manufacturers have focused on innovative and sustainable approaches to extract and refine fish gelatin, positioning themselves as key players in the global fish gelatin manufacturers and suppliers.
Fish gelatin is distinctly different from mammalian gelatin due to its molecular composition, offering advantages to consumers who prefer or require non-mammalian products for religious, dietary, or health reasons. This growing niche market is anticipated to expand in the coming decade driven by sustainability trends and technological advancements. The global fish gelatin market was valued at $276 million in 2020 and is projected to nearly double by 2030 due to increasing demand.[1][9]
Located in Fauske, Nordland, Norskin specializes in processing fish skin, mainly from salmon, to create high-value products, including fish gelatin. The company has been actively involved in pilot projects to extract gelatin from fish scales—a by-product of fish skin processing—with the goal of producing gelatin usable in food packaging applications.
Norskin has developed sustainable extraction methods focused on retaining the quality of gelatin and advancing its functional properties. Their research includes modifying gelatin through cross-linking with phenolic compounds and blending with other biopolymers to enhance mechanical and barrier properties. This positions Norskin at the forefront of environmentally friendly bioplastic film production using fish gelatin.[5][1]
Biomega Group is a biotechnology-driven company leveraging enzymatic hydrolysis technology to transform marine raw materials, including salmon by-products, into value-added products like fish gelatin and bioactive peptides. Emphasizing sustainability and full traceability, Biomega integrates raw material sourcing with precise bioprocessing to produce fish gelatin used in various applications ranging from pet food ingredients to nutritional supplements.[10]
Though primarily a seafood company, Austevoll Seafood ASA also focuses on marine by-products such as fish gelatin. Tapping into the extensive salmon farming sector in Norway, Austevoll works toward sustainable utilization of fish residues. Its fish gelatin products cater to the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries, reflecting Norway's broad expertise in marine bioproducts.[10]
The fish gelatin manufacturing process in Norway involves several critical steps designed to maximize yield and maintain high product quality:
1. Raw Material Collection
Fish skins and scales, often considered processing waste, are collected mainly from salmon processing facilities. The raw materials are cleaned thoroughly to remove fats, flesh, bones, and impurities.
2. Pretreatment
The materials undergo alkaline treatment (using dilute sodium hydroxide) to remove non-collagen proteins and pigments, followed by acid treatment (such as sulfurous acid and citric acid) to swell and prepare collagen fibers for extraction. Washing steps ensure the pH is neutralized before further processing.
3. Extraction
The gelatin is then extracted by heating in water at controlled temperatures (around 55–60°C) for several hours. This process solubilizes collagen into gelatin in solution.
4. Filtration and Drying
After extraction, the gelatin solution is filtered and dried, typically in ovens at moderate temperatures, to produce gelatin powder or thin films.
5. Modification (Optional)
To enhance functional properties like gel strength, thermal stability, and barrier characteristics for specialized applications such as food packaging films, gelatin can be chemically or physically crosslinked or blended with other polymers.[2][3][1]
The entire process focuses heavily on sustainability, aiming to maximize the utilization of fishery by-products and minimize waste. Norwegian research teams continuously study ways to optimize extraction conditions and improve gelatin end-use performance, supporting both local industries and global markets.[4][8][1]
Fish gelatin manufactured by Norwegian suppliers is highly versatile and valuable for a variety of applications:
- Food Industry: Used as a gelling, thickening, stabilizing, and emulsifying agent in confectionery, desserts, and dairy products.
- Pharmaceuticals: Valued for producing soft and hard gelatin capsules, fish gelatin is preferred by certain religious or dietary groups who avoid bovine or porcine products.
- Nutraceuticals and Supplements: It offers excellent bioavailability and is a source of collagen peptides for joint and skin health.
- Biodegradable Packaging: With growing environmental concerns, fish gelatin films are researched as sustainable alternatives to conventional plastics in food packaging, providing good mechanical resistance and barrier properties.[9][1]
Benefits of fish gelatin include hypoallergenic properties, unique melting profiles, and better compatibility for certain applications due to differences in amino acid composition compared to mammalian gelatin. This positions fish gelatin especially well in premium and health-conscious markets.[7][1][9]
Sustainability is a key focus for Norwegian fish gelatin manufacturers. By valorizing fish residues such as skins and scales, the industry:
- Reduces waste sent overseas or discarded.
- Creates new value streams from existing fisheries.
- Supports circular economy principles.
- Promotes environmentally conscious production methods, including low-energy extraction techniques and development of biodegradable materials.[1][4][5]
Projects in Norway underline the economic and ecological benefits of fully exploiting marine by-products, leading to job creation and regional development in coastal communities.[4]
To enhance presentation and audience engagement, the following visual and video content could accompany the article:
- A video walkthrough of fish gelatin production showing pretreatment, extraction, and drying.
- Infographics detailing the step-by-step gelatin extraction process from fish skins and scales.
- Comparative molecular diagrams of fish gelatin versus mammalian gelatin.
- Demonstrations of gelatin used in packaging films highlighting biodegradability.
- Interviews or presentations by industry experts on sustainable marine bioproducts.
Norway is emerging as a significant hub for fish gelatin production, driven by innovative companies like Norskin, Biomega Group, and Austevoll Seafood ASA. These manufacturers adopt cutting-edge technologies and sustainable practices to produce high-quality fish gelatin serving diverse global industries such as food, pharmaceuticals, and environmentally friendly packaging. Through ongoing research and collaboration with academic and research institutions, Norway continues to advance the fish gelatin sector, optimizing extraction processes and expanding potential applications. The country's strategic use of abundant marine resources coupled with environmentally conscious production makes it a model within the global fish gelatin market, promising future growth and sustainability.
Fish gelatin has a different amino acid profile with fewer proline and hydroxyproline residues, resulting in lower gel strength and melting points but offering unique gelling properties suitable for specific applications and consumers preferring non-mammalian sources.[9][1]
Leading Norwegian manufacturers include Norskin, Biomega Group, and Austevoll Seafood ASA, each applying sustainable, innovative techniques for high-quality production.[1][10]
Applications span the food industry (desserts, confectionery), pharmaceuticals (capsules), nutraceuticals (collagen supplements), and packaging sectors focused on biodegradable films.[9][1]
Fish skins and scales undergo cleaning, alkaline and acid pretreatments, followed by extraction in heated water. The gelatin solution is then filtered, dried, and possibly modified for enhanced properties.[3][2][1]
The process valorizes fish processing waste, reduces environmental impact, supports circular economy goals, and helps create local jobs, aligning with global trends for sustainable biomaterials.[5][4][1]
[1](https://nofima.com/projects/implementation-of-gelatin-for-environmentally-friendly-food-packaging/)
[2](https://patents.google.com/patent/US5093474A/en)
[3](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4571272/)
[4](https://www.sintef.no/en/latest-news/2024/fish-residues-can-compensate-for-raw-materials-shortages-and-improve-our-health-into-the-bargain/)
[5](https://nofima.com/projects/gelatin-from-fish-shells-for-use-in-bioplastics/)
[6](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S096085240500547X)
[7](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0268005X25004953)
[8](https://www.norskinmaterials.com/research-and-development)
[9](https://www.globalinsightservices.com/reports/fish-gelatin-market/)
[10](https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/fishery-by-products-market.asp)
