Karkkila-based FoodTech company Hailia announced a €1.75 million investment round to turn sidestreams from fish processing, such as heads, fins, and frames, into ready-to-eat food products for human consumption.
The round includes new investors Holdix and Ikorni Invest, alongside a syndicate of returning and new investors. This also includes a new strategic partnership with Finnish seafood processor Kalavapriikki, to expand the international licensing of Hailia’s technology, and with Danish engineering company Dana Technology, who will join as a strategic technology provider.
“Using sidestreams for human food used to be a nice-to-have, but now it’s an industry must-have. Comparing conversations with processors at trade shows last year to this year, we see a huge uptick in interest, not for the future but for right now. Having Kalavapriikki and Dana Technology invested in our future gives us the confidence and means to seize these opportunities that we already know are there,” says Michaela Lindström, CEO of Hailia.
Hailia Nordic Oy develops novel and resource-efficient seafood processing technologies, producing innovative seafood products. Founded in 2021, Hailia aims to revolutionizse resource efficiency in the seafood industry by maximizing the use of underutilised fish raw materials. Hailia’s technology transforms these materials into high-value seafood products, contributing to a more sustainable food system.
The company also licenses its cutting-edge technology to international fish processing companies. The company’s investors and partners include Nordic Foodtech VC, Heino Group Oy, and Tradeka-sijoitus Oy.
The company launched its first commercially available product, “pulled rainbow trout,” with Kalavapriikki and Finnish supermarket leader S-Group in 2024. The same year, the company also launched products available to food service and industrial kitchens in collaboration with fish processor Hätälä. The new partnership commits the entire supply chain, from equipment production to end customers, to ensuring Hailia’s further growth.
Kalavapriikki has licensed Hailia’s technology. While the products are marketed under the Kalavapriikki brand, they are currently manufactured by Hailia and are already available on the market. Hailia holds exclusive rights to use the technology in seafood applications.
The company is also in talks with several global producers of salmonoids, pelagics, and whitefish for licensing its technology.
“We have seen the impact of Hailia’s technology in our own production. Not only are we using more of the fish and reducing our carbon footprint, but we are also able to create completely new products for our customers. We believe this technology is the future of fish processing, and we were never in doubt about wanting to be an active part of that journey,” says Jari Korhonen, CEO of Kalavapriikki.
According to data provided by Hailia, the world’s seafood consumption is expected to increase by 50% by 2050, highlighting a clear need for new low-carbon protein sources. To meet the demand, the seafood industry will need to improve its resource efficiency. Sidestreams have primarily been utilised for animal feed, oils, or health products, but using 20-40% more of the fish for human consumption is a significant step towards meeting rising demand and introducing new and healthy food products to consumers.
Hailia’s licensing model gives fish processors access to its technology and equipment at their own production sites. With the investment and partnership with engineering partner Dana Technology, Hailia is able to expand its global reach, further develop its technology, and cater to the needs of food producers worldwide.
“Engineering is problem solving, and with Hailia, we have been able to solve a huge one. The seafood industry has a tremendous amount of sidestreams, and while they have been used to feed animals or as supplements, they haven’t contributed to global food security. Hailia has changed that completely, and the industry has taken notice. We can’t wait to see where the next steps will take us,” adds Vagn Hansen, CEO of Dana Technology.
