Alltech Fennoaqua took its sustainability reporting to a new level with the VSME framework

Published: Aug 11, 2026 / Images: Alltech Fennoaqua Oy

Sustainability reporting in accordance with the VSME standard is the latest development step in a long continuum for fish feed manufacturer Alltech Fennoaqua. The company utilises sustainability reporting to monitor and develop the sustainability of its business, while responding to the expectations of various stakeholders. Year after year, the reporting partner is Sweco, which is well versed in the fish value chain.

Sustainability Report is of great value to Fennoaqua’s business

Alltech Fennoaqua, a Finnish fish feed manufacturer, acts as a major guardian: the raw material base of fish feed has a major impact on the environmental impacts of the entire fish value chain. Fennoaqua carried out its first own sustainability report in 2023 in the face of change.

“Until then, we were involved in the sustainability reporting of our former owner, Raisio Group,” says Juha-Matti Mäkelä, Marketing Manager at Alltech Fennoaqua Oy. Fennoaqua’s current owner, the Alltech Group, implements global sustainability reporting. “The Group’s operations are guided by Working Together for a Planet of Plenty, and we also strive to do our part to support a responsible food chain.”

Efforts are being made to reduce the impacts of fish feed production on marine ecosystems through concrete actions, such as favouring domestic raw materials and utilising industrial side streams. In Baltic Blend® feeds, a large part of the fishmeal and oil originate from the Baltic Sea, which promotes nutrient cycling.

According to Mäkelä, the communicative value of the sustainability report is great for Fennoaqua’s business. “The report is one of the most read items on our website, which shows its importance to our fish farmer customers, trade and suppliers.”

Sweco an obvious choice as a partner in sustainability reporting

Fennoaqua chose Sweco as its sustainability reporting partner in 2023. The selection was based on the long history of cooperation between the company and Sweco’s experts. According to Mäkelä, the most important motive was Project Director Mari Saario’s expertise and role in permitting domestic fish farming, among other things.

“She knows the industry, and that’s why we knew that Sweco was the right partner for us. We didn’t really even seriously think about other options!”

Fennoaqua is responsible for the data collection required for sustainability reporting, but a competent partner is needed for project management and content structuring.

“Sweco also provides us with up-to-date information on our reporting obligations, alternatives and opportunities to do more than is required,” says Mäkelä. “In addition, Sweco is able to tell us how the market is changing and how reporting can be improved.”

Fennoaqua’s sustainability reporting with the VSME framework

Fennoaqua has not stagnated in sustainability reporting, but has been developed year by year to be smoother and more comprehensive.

“In 2025, Fennoaqua’s sustainability report was carried out for the first time  with the new VSME framework, and it introduced new themes, such as biodiversity, more clearly than before,” says Olli Sahimaa, Leading Expert at Sweco.

VSME (Voluntary Sustainability Reporting Standard for non-listed SMEs) is voluntary for companies and significantly lighter in implementation than CSRD reporting for larger companies.

According to Sahimaa, the cooperation of previous years was very helpful in reporting according to the new standard. Important data was collected, for example, in connection with the ASC certification carried out by Fennoaqua in 2025. In addition, the reporting for 2024 had already been supplemented with regional economic modelling.

“It highlighted the broader positive impacts of Fennoaqua’s operations on both the Finnish economy and the value chain in terms of job creation. About 60 per cent of the total procurements are directed at Finnish suppliers.”

Most of Fennoaqua’s material flows come from Finland and the Baltic Sea region. “As the only domestic producer of fish feed, we are also important for the security of supply of the Finnish food industry,” Mäkelä adds.

A sustainability report to be proud of

Fennoaqua’s domestic content has gradually improved and the use of industrial side streams has increased, which has had a positive impact on the carbon footprint: the greenhouse gas emissions of the fish feeds produced by Fennoaqua have decreased by 21 per cent from the 2023 level. Social responsibility is also taken into account in reporting.

“A big thing for well-being at work is the modern office premises that have been renovated in connection with our production plant, where we can all fit at once,” says Mäkelä. He also emphasises that sustainability reporting has always been done with a smile on his face, even though the matter is serious.

Sahimaa also praises the ease of cooperation, the continuity of reporting and Fennoaqua’s open-mindedness  in the implementation of the VSME standard. The value of sustainability reporting is also increased by the fact that Fennoaqua’s sustainability story has a decades-long basis. “That’s why the end product is something we can be proud of in terms of content and communication, and that makes sustainability work visible.”

As usual, the preparation of the next sustainability report will begin well in advance in early autumn. Areas for development in the coming years include, for example, the definition of concrete emission reduction targets. “We will definitely need a partner in the future as well, and I don’t see any reason to change,” Mäkelä laughs.