With sustainability in Our DNA: Norilia’s strategy
Photo: Sune Eriksen
Safe products, healthy raw materials, responsible production, and care for people and animals. This is the promise we make in our sustainability strategy.
"We have a clear goal: our products should be part of the solutions of the future," says Roar Furuhaug, CEO of Norilia.
Our core mission
Norilia’s strategy for 2023–2027 is broader and more forward-looking than before. The strategy includes goals and measures on how to improve resource utilization, increase value creation, and enhance competitiveness. We aim to contribute to more sustainable solutions across the value chain.
"Resource utilization is a cornerstone of sustainable production. Still, there is great potential to use resources even better and create new growth areas," explains Roar Furuhaug.
The strategic plan outlines actions Norilia will implement to ensure sustainable growth and profitability. We develop responsibly produced products that provide added value to our customers. Norilia may be a small player globally, but we hold a strong position in niche markets around the world.
Roar Furuhaug, CEO of Norilia
Photo: Gjete AS / Sofie Ensby Rostad
Sustainability in Our DNA
Since Norilia was established, our mission has been to contribute to a profitable and sustainable agricultural sector. Sustainability is not an add-on for Norilia; it is part of our identity.
With our updated sustainability strategy, we are taking even greater responsibility for the environment and society. Our production shall be responsible, our products safe, and made with care for both people and animals.
"Our work to utilize all resources and create new value from them is a vital contribution to sustainable and profitable farming," Furuhaug emphasizes.
Norilia utilises all the resources we have to create new value
Photo: Sune Eriksen
Responsible Production and Safe Raw Materials
"Responsible production also means ensuring the quality of our products. High quality is a prerequisite for both sustainability and competitiveness, and we work continuously to maintain this," says Furuhaug.
Many of our raw materials come from Nortura, which has worked systematically on sustainable meat production for several years.
LCA analyses have also been developed where plus-products are included in the life cycle. LCAs for hides, skins, and wool are under development and will be completed in 2025.
Responsible production means ensuring the quality of our products.
Photo: Sune Eriksen
In Norway, we produce what is arguably the cleanest and safest food in the world. Thanks to this, we have raw materials of truly unique quality, enabling us to produce safe products with strong market demand.
"The origin of raw materials is important—it is, in many ways, a guarantee of quality and animal welfare. That’s why full control of the value chain and transparency toward the market are essential," says Furuhaug.
At Norilia, we coordinate traceability and data collection from farm to end customer. This enables us to track our products throughout the entire value chain.
In Norway we produce what may be the world’s purest and safest food.
Photo: Sune Eriksen
Care for People and Animals
It is the people in Norilia who drive us forward. That is why we are committed to being an attractive workplace for our employees.
We also ensure care for animals. Norway has a long-standing tradition of good animal husbandry and strict regulations. Our cold climate, small-scale farms, and dispersed geography contribute to better animal health and lower risk of disease. Antibiotics are never used preventively—only for treating illness. As a result, Norwegian farms have the lowest antibiotic use in Europe, and among the lowest globally.
We know that our customers value health and animal welfare highly. That is why we emphasize clear animal welfare practices and reporting, including an annual animal welfare report.
Read more here: Nortura’s animal welfare report (Norwegian only): https://www.nortura.no/våre-rapporter/dyrevelferdrapport
When our employees thrive and our animals are well cared for, the quality of our products improves too.
Our employees are the very backbone of Norilia
Photo: Sune Eriksen
Innovation Through Close Collaboration
Collaboration with our customers, research institutions, and other industry players is essential for developing tomorrow’s products and solutions.
We participate in several research projects aimed at exploring new opportunities and strengthening our knowledge. We continue to seek ways to better utilize our raw materials, including through bioprocesses that refine lower-value materials into higher-value products.
That is why we are always seeking new strategic partners who can contribute with expertise, infrastructure, and the resources needed to achieve our goals.
The Road to Our Goal
We see that our products and raw materials can help address many of tomorrow’s challenges, particularly in the areas of health and sustainability.
We follow new trends, monitor emerging needs, and stay updated on new technology and bioprocesses. Norilia aims to be a leader in development and a relevant player for both today’s customers and the growing global demand for sustainable proteins.
The challenges ahead are a major driver of our innovation. To invest in the future, we have established Bioco and Revetal—facilities that use bioprocesses and new technologies to convert co-streams into high-value ingredients.
"We have great ambitions. Norilia will work systematically to reach its goals and position itself as a leading Nordic player in maximizing the value of co-streams from the meat and egg industries," says CEO Roar Furuhaug.
