Traceability, transparency, and supply security have become essential requirements, not optional benefits.
Manufacturers, brands, and consumers increasingly want to know where ingredients come from,how they are produced, and whether their supply can be secured for the long term.
At Fermentalg, these principles are embedded in our business model. They start with a single microalgae strain and extend throughout every stage of production of ΩRIGINS™ oils.
It All Starts with One Strain
Every traceable ingredient has an origin.
For ΩRIGINS™, that origin is Schizochytrium sp. FCC-3204, Fermentalg’s proprietary microalgae strain.
Its story began more than 15 years ago in Mayotte, a French island in the Indian Ocean. Together with researchers from the CNRS (French National Centre for Scientific Research), our scientists team collected a single cup of water of this unique ecosystem, the mangroves forest, to explore its extraordinary microorganism biodiversity.
Back in our microbiology laboratories in Libourne, that sample became the starting point of years of scientific work.
Hundreds of naturally occuring microalgae strain were isolated, purified and screened using advanced microbiology and high-throughput technologies. Their growth, lipid accumulation and Omega-3 production capabilities were carefully characterized to identify the best candidate for industrial production.
The champion was FCC-3204.
Not genetically modified.
Simply a natural selected strain whose biological potential was progressively optimized through our understanding of its physiology and culture conditions.
Today, FCC-3204 remains the foundation of every batch of ΩRIGINS™ we produce.
This is where our traceability begins. Not with a certificate, but with complete knowledge of the origin of our ingredient.
DHA ΩRIGINS™ begins with Schizochytriumsp. FCC-3204, Fermentalg's proprietary microalgae strain.
Developed in France through years of research and expertise, FCC-3204 forms the foundation of a fully controlled Omega-3 production process.
Unlike supply chains that rely on multiple partners, external fermentation facilities, or geographically dispersed operations, Fermentalg maintains control over the entire value chain.
One strain.
Oneprocess.
One quality standard.
This integrated approach enables complete traceability from the original strain to the final ingredient.
An Omega-3 Produced in Europe from A to Z
Once our champion selected, preserving FCC-3204's integrity became just as important as its discovery.
The strain is cryopreserved at -150°C in Fermentalg’s strain bank using a dedicated freezing protocol designed to preserve its exact biological characteristics over time. Each production campaign begins from this preserved master stock, ensuring batch-to-batch consistency across years of production.
From there, every critical manufacturing step, from fermentation and oil extraction to refining and quality control, is performed under Fermentalg's control, entirely in Europe.
This integrated production model provides
- Complete visibility across the production chain
- Consistent manufacturing standards
- Reduced operational complexity
- Enhanced regulatory compliance
- Greater responsiveness to customer needs
Traceability is therefore not simply paper work.
It is the ability to follow every batch back to the same preserved strain and the same controlled production process.
DHA ΩRIGINS™ is produced entirely in the European Union.
From strain development, fermentation, extraction, refining, purification, and quality control, every critical step remains under Fermentalg's control.
Most importantly, it eliminates the blind spots that can emerge when key production stages are outsourced.
Traceability is not simply a documentation exercise. It is the ability to control and know exactly where an ingredient comes from, how it was produced, and which standards were applied at every step.
Why Traceability Matters More Than Ever
The global Omega-3 market is facing multiple challenges.
Microalgae offer a fundamentally different approach.
As the original producers of marine Omega-3s, they are cultivated in closed, controlled environments where culture media, inputs and production conditions are carefully monitored. This minimizes exposure to environmental contaminants while providing a consistent and reproducible source of Omega-3.
For manufacturers, traceability is therefore not only about knowing where an ingredient comes from.
It is about understanding and controlling the conditions under which it is produced.
Because every critical stage remains under our control, we reduce dependency on external partners, improve production continuity, and ensure greater visibility throughout the supply chain. In an increasingly uncertain global environment, this integrated model strengthens long-term security of supply for our customers.
The global Omega-3 market is facing growing challenges.
Traditional marine sourcing is increasingly exposed to environmental pressures, fluctuating fish stocks, climate variability, geopolitical uncertainty, and supply chain disruptions.
In a context where sustainability concerns are growing and alternative omega-3 sources are gaining consumer acceptance, securing a realiable, traceable, and fully controlled source of omega-3 becomes increasingly important. Fermentalg’s microalgae-based production model addresses these challenges by combining European manufacturing, end-to-end traceability, and supply security. (New Consumer Research ConfirmsUntapped Potential Of Plant-Based Omega-3s | Nufarm Seeds NA)
Microalgae offer a direct and limitless renewable source of omega-3s DHA, independent of fish harvesting.
As the original producers of marine Omega-3s, microalgae provide an opportunity to secure supply while reducing pressure on marine ecosystems.
For manufacturers seeking long-term reliability, the question is no longer simply where Omega-3 comes from today, but whether that source can remain dependable tomorrow.
Supply Security and Long-Term Price Competitiveness
Supply security is built on control, but also on the ability to maintain competitive and predictable costs over the long term.
Fermentalg’s integrated approach to microalgae production provides greater control over the value chain, helping ensure continuity, consistency and visibility throughout production while reducing exposure to external supply disruptions.
This advantage becomes even more significant when considering the long-term evolution of raw material prices. Over the past decade, the cost of microalgae has followed a steady downward trend as production processes have become increasingly efficient and scalable. By contrast, fish oil prices have experienced greater volatility and an overall upward trend, reflecting the uncertainties associated with marine resources and global supply conditions.
This evolving cost dynamic strengthens the long-term competitiveness of algae-based Omega-3s. As production efficiencies continue to improve, microalgae offer anincreasingly predictable and scalable source of high-quality Omega-3, while reducing reliance on fluctuating marine commodity markets.
Because Fermentalg masters the entire value chain, we can ensure continuity, consistency, and visibility throughout production.
This integrated model allows us to:
- Maintain rigorous quality standars
- Anticipate potential supply challenges
- Reduce dependency on external actors
- Ensure reliable international logistics
- Provide customers with confiance in long-term sourcing
In an increasingly uncertain global environment, securing access to high-quality Omega-3 is becoming a strategic priority.
Thinking Beyond Today's Needs
Traceability, sustainability, and supply security are often discussed separately.
At Fermentalg, they are part of the same vision.
By controlling every stage of production, from FCC-3204 cryopreservation to the final ingredient, we provide a unique combination of transparency, quality assurance, and operational reliability.
As demand for sustainable Omega-3 continues to grow worldwide, we believe the future belongs to supply chains that are not only efficient, but fully understood.
Because true confidence starts with knowing exactly where your ingredient comes from, and where it is going.