What is biotechnology?

In nature, and within our bodies, microorganisms and enzymes drive biological processes to break down raw materials to release nutrients, or build new compounds essential for the growth and function of living organisms.These natural processes can be harnessed and applied at an industrial scale, a field known as industrial biotechnology
For example, we can use such processes to refine rest raw materials from the meat and egg industry – what we refer to as plus products. At Norilia, we see biotechnology as a valuable tool to enhance resource efficiency and maximize the value derived from rest raw materials. We have already successfully industrialised a biotechnology process to refine rest raw materials from poultry at Bioco, and we are currently researching further opportunities to use biological processes on other materials.

At Norilia, we specifically interested in two biotech processes:
- Enzymatic hydrolysis
- Fermentation

What is enzymatic hydrolysis?

Enzymes occur naturally in many forms throughout nature, including in the human digestive system. Some enzymes are useful to break down raw materials and some to build new materials. In Norilia, we are particularly interested in the processes to(decompose organic materials, as these can be used to improve the utilisation of the nutrients to be found in residual materials.

For instance, the enzymes in our stomach break down our food so that we can absorb the nutrients. This is a process that we are endeavouring to recreate on an industrial scale.

This technique , known as enzymatic hydrolysis, allows us to break down nutrient-rich rest raw materials that would otherwise not have been used for food for humans. Through this process we can separate key components such as proteins, fat and minerals. These fractions can then be converted into new ingredients, such as protein powder and oil, to be used in food or as dietary supplements. This allows us to use rest raw materials for human food. Our overarching goal at Norilia is to ensure that as much as possible of the raw materials approved for food use are actually utilised for human food, creating both environmental and economic value.

At Bioco we have successfully developed an enzymatic hydrolysis process to refine chicken and turkey bone material. This method also holds strong potential for other types of raw material, and we foresee significant opportunities to expand this process across our operations.

What is fermentation?

Fermentation is a bioprocess that uses microorganisms to break down raw materials and create new, valuable compounds. The most common group of microorganisms used in fermentation is bacteria, but yeasts, fungi, and microalgae are also widely applied. While fermentation has been used for centuries—most notably in brewing—its application in processing animal-based residual raw materials is a promising and relatively new frontier in biotechnology. However, using fermentation on rest raw materials from animals is a new and exciting area of biotechnology.

From an industrial perspective, fermentation can be widely used to refine materials. For example, at Norilia we are actively exploring how to use fermentation processes to break down poultry feathers, a raw material challenging to process. Through fermentation, we aim to unlock this potential, creating new uses such as protein-rich ingredients for aquaculture feed.

From a natural process to industrial scale

Biotechnology and new refining methods are evolving rapidly. At Norilia, we are working closely with a number of research institutions, looking at how results from the research can be used industrially to create added value. One of the research projects that we are using to gather knowledge is SFI Industrial Biotechnology. (SFI refers to the Centres for Research-based Innovation scheme run by the Research Council of Norway.) Some of the foremost research environments in the area are collaborating on the project, including the research organisation SINTEF, NMBU (the Norwegian University of Life Sciences), NTNU (the Norwegian University of Science and Technology) and the independent research institute NORCE. These are joined by various industrial partners working on the development of biotechnology within their own companies.

“Norilia’s work on rest raw materials is absolutely vital,” states Håvard Sletta, Chief Market Developer for biotechnology at SINTEF Industry and Centre Director of SFI Industrial Biotechnology. “Simply put, they have abolished the term ‘waste’. In the future, we will have to utilise all bioresources, making biotech processes very important indeed.”

“There are a large number of very important products you can make using industrial biotechnology,” he continues.

The research environments are very keen for this research not to take place in isolation. It is important to have an industrial partner that can take the research and run with it.

“In addition to contributing our own knowledge and input to the research, our most important role is to put the research to use for industrial value-creation,” says Marije Oostindjer, Chief Advisor for Bioprocesses and Business Strategy at Norilia. “We are also working actively to set up new research projects that could foster better utilisation of our residual materials.”

Sletta adds: “After all, the goal of SFI is to give industrial biotechnology a boost nationally, so that companies interested in using biotech processes are better equipped to be competitive going forward. We are endeavouring to maintain a close connection between the industrial players and the researchers. This is the key to success. And this is how we ensure that we are working on things that are relevant to the companies. When the research proves really interesting to an industry, they can incorporate it into their own projects and apply it to their business.”

Technology for the future

The development and application of bioprocesses are core to Norilia’s innovation strategy.

“We firmly believe that biotechnology will play a major role in the green transition and will be a vital tool for improved resource utilisation,” states Heidi Alvestrand, Director of Business Development at Norilia. “Biotechnology can give us new ways to refine our raw materials, enabling the production of new sustainable products. The technology is advancing rapidly, and we want to be part of this journey.”

Read more about our research projects.