What Nofima does

Nofima AS is Norway's largest applied food research institute, headquartered in Tromsø and operating from five sites across Norway (Tromsø, Ås, Bergen, Stavanger, Sunndalsøra). Established in 2008 through the political merger of four legacy research institutes (Akvaforsk, Fiskeriforskning, Matforsk, and Norconserv, with roots dating to 1931), it conducts research and development across the entire food value chain — from raw materials through processing, packaging, and consumer-facing product development — focused on aquaculture, fisheries, and the food industry.

The institute's technology base centers on a portfolio of proprietary, accredited facilities: an accredited BioLab for chemical/microbiological analysis, the Aquafeed Technology Centre for feed innovation, Biotep for marine and plant bioprocessing, Matpiloten (a research factory co-developed with NMBU featuring bakery, meat, fish, vegetable, and packaging halls), the Sunndalsøra land-based aquaculture research station with freshwater/seawater/recirculation systems, and trained sensory analysis panels in Ås. Service offerings include fish trials from roe to broodfish, consumer studies, pathogen challenge models, chemical/biological/microbiological analyses, and pilot-scale production testing.

The business model blends public funding with commissioned industry research. Approximately 30% of activity is directly commissioned by industry clients (Norwegian aquaculture, fisheries, and food processing companies), while the balance is funded through Norwegian government grants (Nærings- og fiskeridepartementet, Norges forskningsråd, FHF, FFL/JA) and EU research programs (Horizon 2020, Horizon Europe). Ownership is majority public (56.8% by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries, 32.2% by Stiftelsen for landbrukets næringsmiddelforskning), reflecting Nofima's dual mandate of commercial competitiveness and public-good research output. In 2024, the institute reported 736 million NOK in revenue across 522 active projects serving customers in 34 countries, with 371 employees including 170 PhD researchers.

Name

Nofima

Legal name

Nofima AS

Website

https://nofima.no

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Nofima is Norway's largest applied food research institute, conducting commissioned and publicly-funded R&D across aquaculture, fisheries, and food processing for industry clients, government bodies, and EU research consortia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Food Research Services

NAICS

Testing Laboratories and Services (54138)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Food Testing Laboratories (Microbiological, Chemical, Allergen) (AFALAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Regulatory Compliance & HACCP Consulting (FDA/USDA/EFSA) (AFALAAAD), Risk Assessment, Hazard Analysis & Food Defense/Fraud Programs (AFALAAAO), Water, Ice & Process Utility Testing for Food Operations (AFALAAAJ), Proficiency Testing, Method Validation & Reference Materials (Food Labs) (AFALAAAK)

Keywords

• Food research services
• Aquaculture research
• Fisheries research
• Food industry R&D
• Sensory analysis

Headquarters

HQ city

Tromsø

HQ country

Norway

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Commissioned Research (Oppdragsforskning): Approximately 30% of Nofima's research is conducted on commission from industry actors. Industry clients commission research to solve specific problems and gain competitive advantages.
2. Public Research Funding: Funded by Nærings- og fiskeridepartementet (NFD), Norges forskningsråd (NFR), Fiskeri- og havbruksnæringens forskningsfinansiering (FHF), Forskningsmidlene for jordbruk og matindustri (FFL/JA), and the European Union.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Nofima is a publicly funded applied food research institute that delivers commissioned research, laboratory analyses, pilot-scale testing, and expert advisory across the entire aquaculture, fisheries and food value chain (raw materials, processing, packaging, consumer). It operates accredited laboratories, aquaculture research stations, feed technology centres, bioprocessing pilot plants (Biotep), a pilot food factory (Matpiloten) and a trained sensory test panel, supporting industry and government clients in Norway and internationally.

Product overview

Nofima is a leading Norwegian food research institute providing comprehensive research and development services for the aquaculture, fisheries, and food industries. The institute operates a portfolio of specialized facilities including accredited BioLab for chemical/microbiological analysis, sensory analysis test panels, aquaculture research stations (Sunndalsøra, Tromsø), Aquafeed Technology Centre for feed development, Biotep for bioprocessing, and Matpiloten for food pilot production. Additional services include consumer studies, fish trials, sensory analysis, challenge models for pathogens, and economic analyses. The institute manages research programs funded by FFL (Fondet for forskningsavgift på landbruksprodukter) including InnoSense, NorwegianFoods, Enable, and MicroPack. Collaborative networks include ØkoMat for organic food producers and Kompetansenettverket for lokalmat for small-scale food businesses.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• BioLab Accredited mission and research laboratory offering chemical, microbiological, and physical measurements for food and feed analysis. Serves Nofima's industry and research clients needing accredited laboratory analyses.
• Nofimas testpanel for sensorisk analyse (Sensory Analysis Test Panel) Professional sensory analysis panel in \u00c5s consisting of trained judges performing sensory evaluation of food and beverages. Used by food producers and researchers needing objective sensory data.
• Forskningsstasjonen p\u00e5 Sunndals\u00f8ra (Sunndals\u00f8ra Research Station) Land-based aquaculture research station with freshwater, seawater, and recirculated water systems for biological and technological experiments across the entire aquaculture value chain. For aquaculture industry and research clients.
• Aquafeed Technology Centre (ATC) Innovation centre in Bergen for testing new feed ingredients and developing future aquafeed. Serves feed producers and aquaculture companies developing sustainable feeds.
• Biotep Flexible bioprocessing pilot facility in Troms\u00f8 for high-tech companies to test and optimise processes for extracting components from marine and plant-based raw materials, including enzymatic hydrolysis (TOPP) work on cod milt.
• Matpiloten Research factory for food in \u00c5s operated in collaboration with NMBU (Norwegian University of Life Sciences), offering pilot-scale process halls for testing new technology, packaging solutions, and new raw material combinations (bakery, milling, meat hall, fish hall, vegetable hall, packaging hall, pathogen process hall, packaging hall).
• Havbruksstasjonen i Troms\u00f8 (Troms\u00f8 Aquaculture Station) Marine aquaculture research station in Troms\u00f8 for conducting experiments with various marine species, including salmon, cod and other species. Serves aquaculture industry and research clients.
• Nofima senter for resirkulering av vann i akvakultur (Centre for Water Recycling in Aquaculture) Centre for water recycling in aquaculture focused on RAS (Recirculating Aquaculture Systems) technology, supporting aquaculture clients developing closed-containment systems.
• Nasjonalt kompetansesenter for fangstbasert akvakultur (National Competence Centre for Capture-based Aquaculture) National competence centre for capture-based aquaculture, developing methods to keep wild fish alive after catch to improve quality and value. Serves Norwegian fisheries and aquaculture sectors.
• Fiskefors\u00f8k (Fish Trials) Experimental fish trials from roe to brood fish size in freshwater, seawater and recirculation systems at varying salinities, including testing of feed, environmental conditions, behaviour and water treatment. For aquaculture companies and researchers.
• Forbrukerstudier (Consumer Studies) Consumer studies services including industrial purchasing behaviour analysis, consumer behaviour insights, innovation facilitation, and statistical software for consumer data analysis. For food producers and retailers.
• Kjemiske, biologiske og mikrobiologiske analyser (Chemical, Biological and Microbiological Analyses) Chemical, biological and microbiological analyses including protein, nitrogen, fats, oils, pigments and minerals. For food, feed and aquaculture industry clients needing accredited analysis.
• Sensoriske analyser (Sensory Analyses) Sensory analysis services using Nofima's trained judges in sensory laboratories in \u00c5s. For food and beverage producers.
• Smittemodeller (Infection Challenge Models) In-vivo and in-vitro challenge models for fish testing with bacteria, viruses and parasites. For aquaculture companies, vaccine developers, and fish-health researchers.
• Testproduksjon (Pilot Test Production) Pilot factory services for commercial-scale production testing of food and feed products in Matpiloten and other pilot halls. For food producers developing new products.
• \u00d8koMat (Organic Food Programme) Public programme helping Norwegian producers of organic food who target grocery or large catering markets with guidance and assistance for challenges. For Norwegian organic food producers.
• Kompetansenettverket for lokalmat (Local Food Competence Network) Public network programme providing guidance to small Norwegian food businesses with up to 10 employees for development and value creation, offering up to 15-20 hours of free guidance visits by a food professional.
• Fra r\u00e5vare til vin (Wine Production Course) Wine production course offered at NOK 3,490 per person including VAT, covering two days with course materials and lunch both days. For individuals (e.g., food producers, hobbyists) interested in wine production.

Quantifiable outcome

• 736 million NOK revenue in 2024 from 522 projects, serving customers in 34 countries
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AquaVitae Consortium (36 partners)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 February 202636-partner consortium to accelerate sustainable low-trophic aquaculture development across Atlantic-bordering nations, funded by €8 million EU Horizon 2020 grant over four years. 11 case studies across 16 countries on four continents focusing on macroalgae, IMTA, echinoderms, shellfish, and finfish. University of New England (USA) partners with Nofima for training, education pathways, and best practices.
• MICROORCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU Horizon Europe project developing solutions to reduce and prevent food waste through monitoring, use, and control of bacterial communities in food and food processing chains. Nofima leads this project.
• Horizon Europe Consortium (multiple projects)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNofima leads 4 EU projects and has central role in several others including SeaMark (seaweed markets), AlgaeProBANOS (algae product development), GUARDIANS (digital solutions for farms), C-FAARER (regenerative aquaculture), SynoProtein (carbon-negative process), VeriFish (seafood communication), BioProtect (marine biodiversity), VALORISH (by-product valorization), EFF-CoP (food fraud), and others.
• 389 Partner Organizations across 51 CountriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNofima has collaborated with 389 different organizations and companies across 51 countries in EU projects. Partners include universities, research institutes, companies, and public bodies worldwide. Includes major partners such as Wageningen University, University of Edinburgh, University of Stirling, SINTEF, NIFU, and many others.
• Re3-Plast ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGreen Platform project 'Reduce, Reuse, Recycle' developing circular solutions for reduced virgin plastic use in food packaging. Nofima leads the project. Partners include Nortura, TINE, SalMar, Orkla Foods, BEWI Norway, Südpack, MCC Norway, Multivac, Tomra Systems, Den Norske Emballasjeforening, ROAF, Grønt Punkt Norge, Plastretur, NORSUS, Norner Research, SINTEF, Future Materials. Total budget 89 million NOK.
• Re3-Plast Partners (Nortura, TINE, SalMar, Orkla Foods, BEWI Norway, Südpack, MCC Norway, Multivac, Tomra Systems)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood and packaging producers working with Nofima to develop recyclable packaging solutions. Achieved significant plastic reductions: 1,500 tonnes/year recyclable plastic for portion-packed salmon, 50 tonnes/year for Norvegia cheese, 23 tonnes/year for Mr. Lee noodles, plus reductions for spekepølse, spekeskinke, and bacon products.
• K Kompetansenettverket for lokalmatminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork program for small food businesses with up to 10 employees. Offers up to 15-20 hours of free guidance visits. A food professional visits the business, including at Nofima's production halls.
• ØkoMatminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram helping producers of organic food targeting grocery or large catering markets with guidance and assistance for challenges.
• Norwegian Innovation ClustersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNofima participates in several industry clusters: Circular Packaging Cluster (45 members), Cod Cluster (cod industry), NCE Aqua Tech Cluster (100+ companies), NCE Blue Legasea, NCE Heidner Biocluster, NCE Seafood Innovation, Norwegian Seaweed Cluster, The Life Science Cluster (80+ members), Biotech North (26 members), and Emballasjeforsk (22 members).
• Innovation Clusters ParticipationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipates in networks including Fremtidsmat (food with health properties), Lakseklyngen (salmon coexistence), Leverandørutvikling Havbunn (aquaculture suppliers), Matkornpartnerskapet (grain partnership), Nasjonalt nettverk for torskeoppdrett (cod farming, 25 members), Nettverk for lavtrofisk akvakultur, NTP Food for Life, Saltpartnerskapet, Submariner Network for Blue Growth.
• EU Horizon 2020 PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPreviously led/coordinated projects including AquaVitae (2019-2023), FutureEUAqua (2018-2023), SafeConsume (2022), Edulia (2022), AQUABIOPRO-FIT (2022). Also participated in 20+ other Horizon 2020 projects.
• Queen Mary University of LondonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaboration on keto acid (omega-11/ketolinsyre) effects on psoriasis. Nofima conducted cell model studies, with Queen Mary University providing academic partnership.
• NTNUminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on TOPP project (Torskemelke Olje og Protein Prosessering) for enzymatic hydrolysis of cod milt, developing processes for production of high-value products from cod milt.
• Nordic Council of MinisterscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNordic cooperation project 'Aquatic Food Systems in the Nordic Countries' mapping challenges and opportunities for increasing aquatic food consumption in the Nordic region, funded by Nordisk Ministerråd. Collaboration with University of Copenhagen, Aarhus University, University of Iceland, Lund University, and University of the Faroe Islands.
• NMBU (Norwegian University of Life Sciences)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation on Matpiloten (research factory) and Salmocode project for single-cell transcriptomics in salmon embryo development. Dr. Christiaan Henkel from NMBU also presents in Nofima's salmon biology webinar series.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• SINTEF: Norway's largest independent applied research institute, frequently co-bidding with Nofima in EU consortia and partnering in national projects. Highly comparable in mandate, ownership structure (Norwegian state), and food/aquaculture research scope.
• Matís: Icelandic government-owned food and biotech research institute with overlapping scope in seafood valorization, aquaculture feed research, and food safety. Closest comparable by mandate, ownership, and geographic focus on North Atlantic seafood.
• Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS): UK-based marine research institute specializing in aquaculture and marine biotechnology. Overlaps with Nofima on seaweed, low-trophic aquaculture, and salmon biology research, frequently partnering in EU consortia.

Broad incumbents

• Wageningen University & Research: The Netherlands-based global leader in food and agricultural applied research. Direct competitor in EU aquaculture and food research consortia, with substantially larger scale, broader mandate, and similar commissioned-research-plus-public-funding model.
• IFREMER: France's national institute for ocean and marine research, with substantial aquaculture and fisheries R&D capabilities. Direct competitor for EU marine and aquaculture research funding, operating with comparable pilot-facility infrastructure.
• DTU (Technical University of Denmark) – National Food Institute: Denmark's leading food research university unit, with strong overlap on food safety, aquaculture, and sustainable food systems. Competes for Nordic and EU research funding and partners with Nofima in several EU consortia.
• Fraunhofer Society: Germany's applied research network covering food, packaging, and process engineering institutes. Competes with Nofima in EU food and packaging research bids, particularly around circular packaging, at significantly larger scale.
• VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland: Finland's state-owned applied research organization with food and biotechnology divisions. Directly comparable in ownership, mandate, and revenue model, and an EU consortium competitor across food and bioprocessing.

Regional players

• NOFIMA spin-offs / Norwegian research cluster members (NCE Aquatech): Norwegian aquaculture technology cluster of 100+ companies including research suppliers and technology vendors. Represents the regional ecosystem in which Nofima operates, providing partners and competitive context.

Others

• AquaVitae Consortium: 36-partner consortium including University of New England and other North Atlantic research institutes focused on low-trophic aquaculture. Nofima's own EU project, but representative of comparable international research consortium models.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

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Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 Nofima