QRILL™ Pet | Aker BioMarine Norway

The krill advantage

QRILL Pet consists of whole dried Antarctic krill, a shrimp-like crustacean harvested in the Southern Ocean around Antarctica. Krill is a natural, sustainable source of marine proteins and the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA. As an important ingredient for pet food, omega-3 fatty acids have demonstrated great health benefits for pets, including healthy organs, joints, skin and fur.  

The unique distinction of krill is that unlike some traditional sources of omega-3 fatty acids such as oily fish, the omega-3 fatty acids in QRILL Pet are mostly in phospholipid, rather than triglyceride form. “Omega-3 phospholipids, the essential building blocks of all cells, are delivered much more effectively to tissues and cells than the omega-3 triglycerides found in fish oil,” explains Dr. Lena Burri, Director R&D, Animal Nutrition and Health at Aker BioMarine.

Purpose made for pets

Sourced and processed on board the same vessels as human grade krill products, QRILL Pet is also an excellent source of astaxanthin, a natural antioxidant. The astaxanthin content in QRILL Pet keeps the product fresh, protecting the omega-3 fatty acids from oxidation, so that no other additives are required. According to Dr. Burri, astaxanthin is known to support immune system function, brain health and cognitive function, helps improve cardiovascular health and suppresses bacterial infection.

Sustainable and traceable    

Sourced by Aker BioMarine from the pristine waters of the Antarctic, QRILL Pet is a 100% sustainable and traceable ingredient. The krill fishery in Antarctica is one of the most sustainable fisheries in the world, known for its close-to-zero by-catch.

Aker BioMarine was the first krill harvesting company to be certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), the highest standard for sustainable fisheries. Sophisticated GPS systems on board of its vessels make it possible to trace back all products to their origin. 

About Aker BioMarine

Aker BioMarine is a leading supplier of krill-derived products for the consumer health and wellness and animal nutrition markets. QRILL is Aker BioMarine’s registered brand, made to support animal nutrition and health. The company is dedicated to working closely with customers to develop krill science and educate pet owners about the importance of choosing the right omega-3 source for pets. 

Although QRILL Pet is a relatively new ingredient in the pet food industry, it has already found its way into premium pet food brands in Europe and North America. Contact us to find out how QRILL Pet could benefit your pet food formulation.