New name and identity for Aker BioMarine

The company harvests krill, an abundant zooplankton, as a premium marine ingredient for the aquaculture, animal feed, and nutraceutical industries.

The business was sold to the US-based private equity firm American Industrial Partners (AIP) and Norwegian investment firm Aker Capital in July.

The Aker QRILL Company said it is embarking on an exciting new chapter, grounded in a strong heritage of innovation and sustainability, and now supported by new ownership from American Industrial Partners (AIP) and Aker Capital.

The company said: “This transition marks more than just a name change; it’s the start of a promising new era in the company and the development of our strong brands, QRILL Aqua and QRILL Pet.

Webjørn Barstad, CEO of Aker QRILL Company, said: “While our name may be new, our commitment to excellence remains unwavering.

"We’re building upon years of expertise and innovation developed as part of Aker BioMarine, and we’re excited to now chart our own course in delivering sustainable, superior krill ingredients with the highest quality standards."

Aker QRILL Company said its mission is to sustainably harvest Antarctic krill and deliver premium marine ingredients that enhance animals’ health, growth, and welfare worldwide.

This mission, it said, is underpinned by a strong commitment to sustainability, rooted in world-class standards, and backed by rigorous science and research into the benefits of krill.

The company’s operations span the entire value chain, from harvesting in the seas of Antarctica via its logistics hub in Montevideo to customers worldwide.

Jeff Birenbaum, Partner at AIP said: “AIP is proud to partner with Aker QRILL Company and Aker Capital to support further development of the company’s position as a leading innovator of advanced and sustainable marine ingredients.

“From Aker QRILL Company’s high-tech krill harvesting operations to their cutting-edge science and research, AIP sees a strong foundation for further growth to support our customers’ ambitions to enhance outcomes in animal, pet, and human health.”

Øyvind Eriksen, President and CEO of Aker ASA, added: “Aker is excited to be a part of this journey, and we’ve already witnessed a positive impact from the collaboration with AIP. This venture is an important component in our industrial portfolio, and we are committed to support the management as we move into the next phase of growth and innovation.”