What Epax AS does

Epax AS is a Norway-headquartered B2B producer of premium marine-based omega-3 and specialty marine lipid ingredients, serving nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, food and beverage, and personal care brand customers worldwide from its principal facility in Ålesund. The company manufactures ultra-concentrated omega-3 ingredients in a wide range of EPA:DHA ratios (e.g., EPAX 1050, 4020 TGN, 4510, 6015, 6000) under pharma-compliant quality systems guaranteeing a minimum 90% triglyceride content, and has extended into next-generation lipid categories through its NovusLipid line—including EPAX Omega 3-9-11 (LC-PUFA plus LC-MUFA combination launched March 2024) and EPAX Evolve 05, the world's first commercially available VLC-PUFA product (launched April 2025 with US GRAS status and EU 'not novel' designation).

The company's manufacturing platform centers on proprietary EQP+Tech molecular distillation, a trade-secret-protected process that enables ultra-concentration of omega-3 fatty acids without excessive heat or harsh chemicals, supported by continuous sensor monitoring and a $40 million Ålesund facility upgrade completed in 2023 plus a $10 million new synthesis plant under construction in 2025. The business is commercialized through a hybrid direct-sales and regional-distributor model: Epax employs its own regional sales managers covering global markets (with dedicated leads for APAC, North America, and direct sales) and complements them with 11 channel partners across Korea, Japan, China, DACH, Italy, France/Iberia, the Nordics, ASEAN, ANZ, Vietnam, and the Americas. Vertical integration via parent Pelagia AS provides supply chain traceability from pelagic fishing through to finished ingredient, an uncommon ownership structure in the marine lipid industry.

Epax operates as a privately held subsidiary of Pelagia AS and has been under successive ownership by Austevoll Seafood (2007), Aker Biomarine/Lindsay Goldberg (2010), and FMC Corporation (2013) before joining Pelagia. Its commercial moat rests on proprietary technology (EQP+Tech, patent-protected VLC-PUFA production), the largest published clinical evidence base in marine omega-3 (over 100 peer-reviewed studies), strict regulatory compliance (FSSC 22000, GOED founding membership, voluntary lead limits below industry monograph), and a 180-plus-year heritage tracing back to 1838. End-customers are described qualitatively as 'premium brands worldwide'; no individual customer logos are disclosed, indicating a horizontally distributed customer base across supplements, pharma, food, and personal care segments.

Name

Epax AS

Legal name

EPAX

Website

https://epax.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1838

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Epax AS is a Norway-based B2B producer of premium marine-based omega-3 concentrates and specialty marine lipids for nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, food, beverage, and personal care brands. It operates proprietary EQP+Tech distillation and supplies ingredients backed by over 100 peer-reviewed clinical studies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Omega-3 and Specialty Lipid Ingredients

NAICS

Fats and Oils Refining and Blending (311225)

SIC

Fats & Oils (2070)

akta.pro primary industry

Omega-3 & Specialty Lipids (Fish/Algal Oils, EPA/DHA, MCTs, CLA, Phospholipids) (AFAJAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Omega-3 & Marine/Algal Lipids (EPA/DHA Oils, Concentrates) (AFAJALAK), Fats, Oils & Lipid Ingredients (Specialty Oils, MCTs, Structured Lipids) (CRADAOAL), Lipid-Based Emulsions & Encapsulated Oils (Spray-Dried Oils, Microencapsulation) (AFAJALAM)

Keywords

• Marine omega-3 concentrates
• Fish oil ingredients
• Omega-3 EPA DHA
• Nutraceutical lipid ingredients
• Pharmaceutical-grade omega-3

Headquarters

HQ city

Sandvika

HQ country

Norway

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. B2B Marine Ingredients Sales: Epax sells marine omega-3 and lipid ingredients to premium brand customers worldwide. Products include omega-3 concentrates in various concentrations and EPA:DHA ratios, as well as innovative lipids including LC-MUFA and VLC-PUFA products.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels12 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Epax AS manufactures and sells bulk marine-based omega-3 high concentrates and innovative lipid ingredients to B2B customers. The Epax® Omega-3 line delivers EPA- and DHA-rich concentrates in multiple concentrations and EPA:DHA ratios, while the Epax® NovusLipid line delivers next-generation lipids including VLC-PUFA (EPAX® Evolve 05) and LC-MUFA combinations (EPAX Omega 3-9-11, EPAX Cetoleic). Products are produced under pharma-compliant systems and supplied to premium brand customers in dietary supplements, pharmaceuticals, food and beverages, and personal care worldwide.

Product overview

Epax AS offers premium marine omega-3 ingredients and innovative lipid products for dietary supplements and nutraceuticals. The portfolio centers on two main product lines: Epax® Omega-3 (concentrates in various EPA:DHA ratios including EPAX 1050, 4020, 4510, 6015, and 6000) and Epax® NovusLipid (innovative lipids including EPAX® Evolve 05 as the world's first VLC-PUFA product, EPAX Omega 3-9-11 combining Omegas 3/9/11, and EPAX Cetoleic products). All products are manufactured under pharma-compliant systems with over 100 peer-reviewed clinical studies supporting efficacy. The company emphasizes unmatched purity, pharmaceutical precision, and sustainable sourcing through its EcoVision framework.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Epax® Omega-3: Premium omega-3 concentrates in a wide range of concentrations and EPA:DHA ratios.
• Epax® NovusLipid
• EPAX® Evolve 05
• EPAX® Omega 3-9-11
• EPAX 6000
• EPAX 1050
• EPAX 4510
• EPAX 4020
• EPAX 6015
• EPAX Cetoleic 2040
• EPAX Cetoleic 10
• EQP+Tech

Products and services

• Epax® Omega-3 concentrates (product line) Bulk marine omega-3 concentrate product line sold B2B to premium brand customers in dietary supplements, pharmaceuticals, food and beverages, and personal care. Offered across multiple EPA:DHA ratios targeting cardiovascular, cognitive, eye, joint, mood, and inflammatory health applications.
• EPAX 6000 High-potency omega-3 concentrate used by researchers and B2B customers in numerous peer-reviewed clinical studies on cardiovascular health.
• EPAX 1050 High-DHA omega-3 concentrate formulated to support brain health in aging brains and eye health, for B2B use in cognitive and vision supplement formulations.
• EPAX 4510 High-EPA omega-3 concentrate delivering high levels of EPA to provide nutritional support for healthy joints and ligaments.
• EPAX 4020 TGN Omega-3 concentrate in re-esterified triglyceride form with high EPA content, designed to restore healthy Omega-3/Omega-6 balance and support healthy inflammatory response, including sports nutrition applications.
• EPAX 6015 Clinically supported omega-3 concentrate with high EPA level designed to support a healthy mood in B2B supplement formulations.
• Epax® NovusLipid (product line) Innovative marine lipid category offered B2B containing high levels of LC-MUFA and VLC-PUFA fatty acids, marketed as the next frontier beyond traditional EPA and DHA omega-3 concentrates.
• EPAX® Evolve 05 Patent-protected, marine-based Omega-3 concentrate containing high levels of very long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (VLC-PUFA) at 10× the concentration of natural fish oil. The world's first commercially available VLC-PUFA product, sold B2B to premium brands for healthy aging, vision, dry eye, and male fertility applications.
• EPAX Omega 3-9-11 Full-spectrum marine oil combining Omega-3 EPA and DHA with LC-MUFAs (Omega-9 gondoic acid and Omega-11 cetoleic acid), with minimum 720 mg/g combined fatty acid content. Sold B2B for skin health, metabolic health, and anti-inflammatory applications.
• EPAX Cetoleic 2040 Marine oil high in cetoleic acid (Omega-11 LC-MUFA), with clinical studies demonstrating a 7% reduction in LDL-cholesterol in overweight and obese adults. Sold B2B for cardiovascular health formulations.
• EPAX Cetoleic 10 LC-MUFA-rich marine oil based on cetoleic acid for skin health applications, sold B2B to personal care and supplement manufacturers.

Quantifiable outcome

• EPAX Evolve 05 provides 10× concentrate of VLC-PUFA compared to natural fish oil
• +3 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• Pelagia AScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEpax is a part of Pelagia AS, a leading company in the pelagic fishing, fishmeal, and fish oil industry. This vertical integration provides Epax with guaranteed long-term supply source and full traceability from fishing boat to finished ingredient.
• GOED (Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3s)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEpax is a founding member of GOED, the global trade organization for omega-3s. Actively participates in technical committees, contributed to voluntary monograph standards, and supports laboratory proficiency programs.
• NofimacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorwegian research institute co-authoring VLC-PUFA research including British Journal of Nutrition paper on bone mineralisation. Conducts aquaculture research station studies.
• Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic research partner co-authoring VLC-PUFA research paper published in British Journal of Nutrition.
• Oslo University Hospital (OUS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic research partner collaborating on VLC-PUFA research published in British Journal of Nutrition.
• MøreforskingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorwegian research service company running QOMEGA-3 Sensory Industry Standard for Marine Oils project funded by Norwegian Research Fund (FHF). Epax is active participant and contributor.
• StaubermajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNorth and South America distributor. SFQ and organic certified, offers vitamins, minerals, functional ingredients, and branded solutions backed by research with support services in processing, formulation, logistics, and compliance.
• Sungwoo Biopharm Corp.majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSouth Korea representative with over 30 years experience in health functional food ingredient market. Connects science-backed ingredients with local needs including technical support, regulatory guidance, and market insights.
• Goerlich Pharma GmbHmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGermany, Austria, Switzerland distributor. Develops and produces premium food supplements in various dosage forms with over 40 years of experience particularly in Omega-3.
• Novosana (Taicang) Co. Ltd.majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChina distributor - Dutch-owned company within Alliance Nutrition Group with strong expertise in nutritional oils. Trusted Omega-3 specialist serving food and feed industries.
• Morimura Bros Inc.majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJapan distributor - Japanese global trading company founded in 1876 with over 150 years of experience. Supplies wide range of industrial and raw materials including food ingredients.
• Silvaco A/SmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNordic region distributor - privately owned company founded in 1962 specializing in finished products, active ingredients, and raw materials for nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, food, feed, and cosmetic industries.
• Jebsen & Jessen Ingredients (T) LtdmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThailand and ASEAN distributor - leading distributor of specialty chemicals and life-science ingredients combining innovation, technical expertise, and local insight with formulation support and regulatory guidance.
• SeanovamajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFrance, Spain, Portugal distributor. Based on Brittany's Atlantic coast, creates innovative natural and sustainable nutritional solutions including oils, capsules, powders, and microcapsules.
• Pathway International Pty LimitedmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAustralia and New Zealand distributor - family-owned company with 30 years of experience sourcing and distributing high-quality science-backed ingredients for complementary medicines, food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.
• Brenntag Vietnam Co., Ltd.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVietnam distributor - global leader in chemical and ingredient distribution with over 18,100 employees and around 600 locations in more than 70 countries.
• Marnor S.R.LminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorItaly agent - Milano-based agent specializing in Norwegian-Italian trade relations, serving as exclusive Italian representative for more than 25 years.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Polaris: French producer of marine oils and omega-3 concentrates for human nutrition, functional food, and infant nutrition applications. Polaris is a direct European omega-3 concentrate peer to Epax, with comparable product portfolios and customer overlap.
• Aker Biomarine: A Norwegian marine ingredient company best known for Superba krill oil, supplying omega-3 and phospholipid ingredients to supplement and functional food brands globally. It is a direct Norwegian-headquartered, marine-source omega-3 competitor serving the same premium nutraceutical customers as Epax.
• KD Pharma Group: KD Pharma is one of the world's largest producers of omega-3 EPA/DHA concentrates and other lipid-based ingredients for pharma and nutraceuticals. It is the most direct, head-to-head competitor to Epax in pharmaceutical-grade omega-3 concentration, operating similar B2B ingredient models across overlapping customer bases.
• Solutex: Spanish producer of high-concentration omega-3 EPA/DHA ingredients using proprietary purification and concentration technology. Solutex competes with Epax in the same premium B2B omega-3 concentrate segment across nutraceutical and functional food applications.
• GC Rieber Oils: Norwegian-based fish oil refiner and omega-3 concentrate manufacturer supplying health and nutrition markets. It is a direct Nordic marine-source competitor to Epax with overlapping EPA/DHA concentrate offerings for nutraceutical and pharmaceutical customers.

Broad incumbents

• BASF: Global chemical and nutrition company producing omega-3 ingredients (notably within its former Pronova BioPharma fish oil business) for pharma and nutraceutical applications. As a diversified incumbent, BASF overlaps with Epax on omega-3 concentrates across food, supplement, and pharma customers.
• Maruha Nichiro: Japanese global seafood and food company with significant fish oil refining and omega-3 ingredient operations for both domestic and export markets. Maruha Nichiro is a broad incumbent marine lipid competitor with deep presence in APAC — a key Epax growth region.
• dsm-firmenich: Global nutrition and health ingredients major with a broad portfolio that includes omega-3 EPA/DHA and other lipid ingredients for supplements, food, and pharma. As a diversified incumbent, it competes with Epax in omega-3 ingredients while serving many adjacent nutrition categories.
• Croda International: UK-listed specialty chemicals company with a Life Sciences and Consumer Care division that includes high-purity omega-3 and lipid ingredients. Croda is a broad incumbent offering overlapping omega-3 capabilities as part of a much larger specialty ingredients portfolio.

Emerging players

• Veramaris: Joint venture producing algal-source EPA and DHA for aquaculture, pet food, and human nutrition, with a strong sustainability story. Veramaris is an emerging non-marine alternative whose success could displace fish-oil-based omega-3 including Epax's core products.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/people/Epax-Norway-As/61579347399556
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/epax-norway

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Epax AS