Swiss Lachs, based in the idyllic village of Lostallo, Switzerland, is a pioneer in sustainable aquaculture. As one of Europe’s earliest adopters of land-based salmon farming, the company is pioneering an eco-friendly and high-quality approach to fish production that places freshness, innovation, and circularity at its core.
Founded in 2013, Swiss Lachs began with a simple yet powerful idea: to raise Atlantic salmon in Switzerland, locally and sustainably. Sourcing premium-quality eggs from Iceland, the company ensures exceptional fish quality from the very beginning of the cycle. With production located in Lostallo, in the heart of the Swiss Alps, the harvested salmon reaches retail shelves and restaurant kitchens just one day after being harvested. An unrivaled standard in freshness and quality.
This hyperlocal approach not only benefits consumers, but also the environment. Swiss Lachs significantly reduces CO₂ emissions thanks to short transportation routes compared to traditional sea-based salmon farms. In a world increasingly focused on climate-conscious choices, this efficient model delivers both environmental and economic value.
At the heart of Swiss Lachs’ success lies its state-of-the-art land-based recirculating aquaculture system (RAS). Unlike conventional net-cage farming, which is often challenged by environmental contamination and parasite exposure, Swiss Lachs operates in a fully closed-loop ecosystem. This innovative system allows precise control over water quality and temperature, safeguarding the health of the salmon from external threats.
One of the most notable advantages is the elimination of antibiotics. Instead of medication, the farm relies on sophisticated biofilters to purify the water, a natural solution that prevents disease while maintaining optimal living conditions. With no exposure to lice, jellyfish, or pollutants, the salmon suffer fewer injuries and develop in a stress-free environment.
In addition, the system is rooted in circular economy principles. Fish waste, often seen as a by-product, is either processed into pet food or processed to biogas. This minimizes waste while creating additional value streams. A perfect example of responsible aquaculture in practice.
Swiss Lachs initially entered the market with head-on gutted (HOG) salmon which provided a solid entry point. In a partnership with Marel the opportunity to generate more value from its premium fish was recognized and came to life.
Today, the entire processing line at Swiss Lachs is powered by Marel equipment. Starting with the stunning equipment from our strategic partner, Ace Aquatec, it is followed by digital weighing and precision filleting, pinboning, portioning, and slicing. With these tools, Swiss Lachs increases processing speed, improves product consistency, and reduces manual labor. All while maintaining the highest standards of hygiene and care for the product.
The result? Swiss Lachs now produces fillets, portions, slices and smoked salmon in-house. Herewith Swiss Lachs generates significantly more margin from the same fish while offering greater product diversity to their customers.
Moreso, Swiss Lachs is exploring the future of salmon convenience food. Thanks to Marel’s portioning and frying technology, Swiss Lachs has expanded its product portfolio to include ready-to-eat items like fried salmon pieces. These new offerings cater to modern consumer lifestyles without compromising on quality or sustainability.
Constantly Marel’s sales department will collaborate with clients to help them to generate more value from their products, work more efficiently or improve cornerstones from their processing plant.
Marel’s service department ensures optimal operation of the machines in a factory, and if anything happens, a rapid resolution. Ronald Herculeijns, Co-founder of Swiss Lachs, mentions “When we have contact with Marel’s service department, from time to time we even do a video call which is a great and immediate support for our in-house technicians.”. This is a testament how Marel will go the extra mile to minimize downtime and quickly resolve malfunctions.
Swiss Lachs stands as a testament to how tradition and technology can come together to shape the future of food. Through land-based salmon farming, strategic partnerships, and a commitment to circular production, the company has not only created a business but sparked a movement. As demand continues to outpace supply, Swiss Lachs is expanding with confidence, proving that sustainable salmon farming is not only possible, but profitable.
We are proud to be pioneers of land-based salmon farming in Europe. With our Marel partnership and our focus on innovation, we’re shaping a more sustainable and delicious future for Swiss seafood
Ronald Herculeijns
Co-founder of Swiss Lachs
Marel is proud to be a trusted partner of Swiss Lachs and is committed to supporting their success for many more years. The story is exemplary how Marel is transforming the way food is processed by enabling manufacturers to increase total value and create new value streams, all for a more sustainable and efficient food industry. Soon Swiss Lachs will start farming salmon in the German part of Switzerland. For this second facility in Erstfeld, it is foreseen to continue the collaboration and install further equipment from Marel.
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