Thu, 25 Sep 2025 | BUSINESS SALE
The assets of Algal Omega 3 Limited, an omega-3 oil manufacturer and supplier that operated from a Liverpool City Region manufacturing site, have been acquired out of administration, approximately four months after the company’s collapse.
The Northern Ireland-headquartered business, which used fermentation technology on microalgae to manufacture crude algal oil, fell into administration in May 2025, with Stuart Irwin and Richard Harrison of Interpath Advisory appointed as joint administrators.
According to the joint administrators, despite its “advanced processes and capabilities”, the firm had struggled to remain competitive internationally, largely due to rising production costs, which meant it was unable to retain key contracts.
The company’s assets have now been acquired by the Clean Food Group (CFG), a food tech company pioneering the manufacture of sustainable oils and fats via fermentation. The deal provides the firm with immediate access to one million litres of fermentation capacity.
In its 2022 accounts, Algal Omega 3 Limited’s fixed assets were valued at around £7.6 million and current assets at £6.6 million. Net liabilities, however, totalled slightly over £15.6 million.
According to CFG, the addition of Algal Omega 3’s Knowsley facility, positions it as the world’s largest manufacturer of sustainable oils and fats derived from fermentation. The 12-acre Knowsley site includes extensive research and development (R&D) facilities, as well as significant opportunities for additional expansion.
CFG has already validated commercial-scale production at the site, with a recent fermentation run manufacturing two tonnes of oil.
Alex Neves, Chief Executive of CFG, commented: "With this acquisition, we have fast-tracked our route to market, leapfrogging the traditional, capital-intensive path from pilot to demo to new build commercial plant, which can take years and cost upwards of $100m.”
"With commercial-scale validation already established at our new Knowsley facility, Clean Food Group is ready to capitalise on the $20bn market opportunity ahead, and to advance its planned Series A funding round, now expected for H1 2026.”
Following the acquisition, Bill Thurston (pictured above), former managing director of Dawn Foods, CSM Bakery and CFG NED, has been appointed Managing Director of the Knowsley facility, bringing extensive experience in oils and fats.
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