Hailia signs licensing agreement with Kalavapriikki to scale sidestream processing technology.
Finnish technology firm Hailia has entered its first licensing agreement with fish processor Kalavapriikki to integrate its sidestream processing technology into Kalavapriikki’s production line in Kuopio, Finland. The agreement allows Kalavapriikki to use Hailia’s technology to convert fish processing byproducts such as heads, fins, and frames into human food products.
The deal follows the launch of a pulled rainbow trout product in August, made from sidestreams of Finnish rainbow trout. Developed using Hailia’s technology, the product sold 36,000 consumer units in its first month. Kalavapriikki aims to implement the technology by early 2026.
New ‘pulled rainbow trout’ range made from heads and fins launched across 500 stores
Preliminary data from Hailia suggests that rainbow trout sidestreams processed using its technology have a carbon footprint of 0.6 kilograms of CO2 per kilogram of food, comparable to plant-based proteins. This figure is based on raw materials and production processes and excludes additional factors such as packaging.
Kalavapriikki, which recently introduced an automated filleting line, plans to double its production volume to 4,000 tonnes in 2025. The company focuses on locally sourced rainbow trout and aims to increase its market share against imported Atlantic salmon products.
The licensing agreement enables Kalavapriikki to scale production while addressing waste and carbon emissions in fish processing. Current sidestreams, which account for up to 50% of fish weight after filleting, are typically used for low-value products such as animal feed and fish oils.
The financial terms of the licensing agreement were not disclosed.
