Frequently Asked Questions

Bioco is a new biotechnology company, owned by Felleskjøpet Agri and Nortura. At Bioco's plant, offcuts from chicken and turkey are hydrolyzed using enzymes, to make valuable products such as hydrolyzed proteins and high quality oil.

Hydrolysis is a natural process in which a molecule is "cut" in smaller parts (lysis) by water (hydro). Bioco hydrolyzes proteins from chicken and poultry, that are "cut" into smaller parts (peptides and free amino acids). In enzymatic hydrolysis, enzymes are used to achieve this "cut". Enzymes are proteins that act as "tools" in many places in nature, for example in the stomach and the intestine - they break down food that enters the digestive tract. You could say that the enzymatic hydrolysis at Bioco is a type of "pre-digestion". This results in highly digestible proteins, which are advantageous for sensitive individuals or individuals with a need for extra protein.

Proteins are the most important building blocks of the body. Proteins are long chains of amino acids. In the body of humans and animals, there are 20-22 different amino acids, that are combined to form many different proteins. Of these amino acids, there are 10 essential amino acids. These need to be part of the diet, as the body can not make these. Proteins are deemed of high quality when the content of essential amino acids are high.

Peptides are short chains of amino acids. Two amino acids together are called a dipeptide, and three a tri-peptide. Peptides are easily digestible, and can have a certain bioactivity - they have important biological functions in the body, in addition to providing building blocks for muscles and other body tissues.

To be able to utilize the proteins we eat in our diet, the proteins need to be broken down to single amino acids or di-/tri peptides, in order to pass through the intestinal barrier. Peptides are therefore important for growth and general health, and in addition can have a certain bioactivity, depending on the order of the amino acids that make up the peptide.

As the proteins are already broken down in hydrolyzed proteins, it is easier for the body to digest and take up the peptides. This is of particular importance when the need of protein is high (during growth, in elderly with reduced digestive capacity, during high physical activity), or when there are challenges with digestion (sensitive gut). There are less undigested proteins in the intestine when the proteins are hydrolyzed, which is better for gut health.

Hydrolyzed proteins are also beneficial for individuals with allergies or other sensitivities, as the body often reacts to large proteins, but not to short peptides.

There are many applications for hydrolyzed proteins, depending on the market of interest. Bioco can produce products for human consumption, as well as for pet food.

Hydrolyzed proteins from chicken and turkey are well suited for use in sports nutrition and other applications where a high protein content is required, and where a good amino acid profile and savoury flavor are desired. They can be used in both food and drink products.

Hydrolyzed proteins are suited for various pet food applications, where high digestibility is the focus. They are suited for dogs with sensitivities and food allergies, and the high palatability makes it suited for animals with reduced appetite.

Hydrolyzed proteins and oil from Bioco smell and taste like chicken - a mild grilled chicken flavor.

Bioco produces hydrolyzed proteins in liquid form with 60% dry matter. Hydrolyzed proteins can be supplied by tank or in IBC containers. They can also be spray dried if desired. This increases the solubility of the proteins in water. Please get in touch with Norilia regarding additional questions about the products, their formats, delivery and storage.

Yes, all chicken and turkey raw materials that enter the Bioco process come from Norwegian farms.

No, the raw materials that go into the Bioco are not waste, and do not contain intestines. All raw materials are approved for human consumption, and consist of bones with residual meat. This is the same type of raw materials used to make stock and soups.

Yes, the entire production at Bioco is based on the sustainability principles of efficient resource utiliziation and circular economy. The raw materials and therefore the ingredients produced by Bioco are Norwegian, and therefore "local" within the Norwegian markets. The poultry offcuts are getting a higher value application through the enzymatic hydrolysis process. This is connected to the ambition to use the whole animal for products the world can benefit from and enjoy, which is Norilia's mission. Norilia is responsible for all sales and market development of Bioco's products. Bioco helps its owners with creating a more sustainable agriculture, and producing more Norwegian proteins.

Nortura SA, through daughter company Norilia AS, and Felleskjøpet Agri SA are the owners of Bioco AS.