Aker BioMarine shareholders approve move to go private

NORWAY – Aker BioMarine shareholders have approved a merger that will take the krill ingredients company private under majority owner Aker, marking another major step in the business’s restructuring following the sale of its feed ingredients division.

The merger with Aker Capital was approved at an extraordinary general meeting on Monday, clearing a key condition for Aker’s related cash offer to minority shareholders.

Aker, which held 77.7% of Aker BioMarine when the transaction was announced in July, offered shareholders NOK 105 (€9.63) per share in cash. 

Acceptances covering 10.7 million shares were received before the offer period closed on 30 July.

Following shareholder approval, the cash offer is now unconditional, with settlement expected within three trading days.

Under the merger, shareholders who did not accept the cash offer will receive 0.0706 Aker shares and NOK 21 (€1.93) in cash for each Aker BioMarine share. 

Completion is expected during the second half of 2026, subject to remaining closing conditions.

The transaction follows a strategic review launched in February after external interest in Aker BioMarine’s Human Health Ingredients division. 

The company explored a possible sale but concluded that proposals received did not adequately reflect the division’s prospects.

Aker subsequently determined that the business could be better developed outside the public markets.

Aker BioMarine’s shift away from feed ingredients

The move comes two years after Aker BioMarine sold its Feed Ingredients division to Aker Capital and US private equity group American Industrial Partners in 2024.

The division supplied krill-based ingredients to aquaculture and other animal feed markets and subsequently became Aker QRILL Company.

Aker QRILL Company now operates as a separate krill ingredients business focused on applications including aquaculture feed. 

It recently concluded its 2026 Antarctic krill fishing season after vessels reached the precautionary harvest limit established for CCAMLR Area 48.

The separation reflects a broader restructuring of Aker BioMarine around human health and nutrition. 

Its remaining operations are largely focused on krill-derived ingredients for human applications, including its Superba krill oil business.

The latest merger will therefore further separate Aker BioMarine’s human health-focused activities from the animal nutrition business that now operates under Aker QRILL Company.

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