The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)’s global food technology competition sought innovations with the potential to address the biggest challenges in the global food system. The revolutionary resource efficiency innovation by Hailia, based in Karkkila, Finland, was awarded in Seoul, Korea, particularly for its growth potential.
UNIDO promotes sustainable and inclusive industrial development, aiming to reduce poverty while integrating economic, social, and environmental progress. The 2024 UNIDO Global Call competition focused on food technology, awarding innovations that offer solutions to challenges like food security and environmental and climate impacts. Hailia was recognized in the competition for its advanced technology, growth potential, and ability to promote sustainable development. These merits earned Hailia the competition’s Business Award
The innovation by Finnish startup Hailia transforms underutilised fish processing sidestreams left after filleting or whole small fish, into easy-to-use and nutritious food products. In this way, Hailia helps meet the growing global demand for fish products without additional fishing or farming, reducing the climate and environmental burden as well as pressure on overfishing.
The innovation also has significant potential for enhancing food security and livelihoods, particularly in developing countries, by enabling valuable food products to be made from previously overlooked fish species without requiring major initial investments. These impacts of Hailia’s food innovation align effectively with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which the UNIDO jury emphasized in its evaluation.
“Our solution’s economic viability ensures that environmental and social impacts can also scale. That’s incredibly inspiring!” describes Hailia’s CEO Michaela Lindström.
Global Licensing Partner – Local Contract Manufacturer
The award is a major milestone for Hailia as it negotiates licensing deals with some of the world’s largest fish industry players. To date, integrating the innovation into existing fish processing facilities has drawn interest from countries like Indonesia and Canada. Particular attention has been given to the increased value of sidestreams: previously sold outside the food production chain as fish oil or feed, these sidestreams can now be turned into food products sold at prices 10-15 times higher.
In Finland, Hailia operates as a contract manufacturer for fish processors, producing food products from the sidestreams provided by its partners at its factory in Karkkila. The rainbow trout pulled product developed with Kalavapriikki has been a commercial success since it hit S Group stores in September. Salmon products made for Hätälä are widely distributed to food service providers and are also expected to play a significant role in exports.
“Utilising sidestreams is not much of an innovation, but the structure we have achieved in our products is. The texture, reminiscent of cooked fish fillet, meets consumer preferences for mouthfeel. This has been key to our partnerships and entry into global negotiations,” says Hailia’s CTO Otto Kaukonen.
The UNIDO Global Call competition included 228 participants from 55 countries worldwide. Previously, Hailia has won the 2024 World Food Innovation Awards in the Best Technology category and was listed among Europe’s most promising nature-positive circular economy solutions by the World Circular Economy Forum
Further Information:
Michaela Lindström, CEO
Hailia Nordic Oy
+358 40 568 7115
michaela.lindstrom@hailia.fi
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Hailia Nordic Oy develops novel and resource-efficient seafood processing technologies and produces innovative seafood products. Founded in 2021, Hailia aims to revolutionize resource efficiency in the seafood industry by maximizing the use of underutilized fish raw materials. Hailia’s technology transforms these materials into high-value seafood products, contributing to a sustainable and environmentally friendly food system. The company also licenses its cutting-edge technology to fish processing companies internationally. Hailia’s investors and partners include Nordic Foodtech VC, Heino Group Oy, and Tradeka-sijoitus Oy. www.hailia.fi
