Bioretur was established in 2014 as a disposal service for horse manure. Founder Steinar Wasmuth himself operated a farm and equestrian center at Bontveit near Bergen in Norway. Like many others, he faced significant issues with the collection and disposal of horse manure.

Horse Manure and Fertilizer Factory in Bergen

In 2015, the production of the organic fertilizer Equus was initiated at the fertilizer factory in Arna outside Bergen. This fertilizer was created using horse manure collected by Bioretur from horse owners. The product line consisted of Equus Soil Improvement, Equus Lawn, Equus Plus, and a special Equus Potting Soil produced in collaboration with Tjerbo AS. These products were available for sale until 2020 through the wholesaler LOG and selected OBS Bygg stores.

Waste Management for Fish Sludge

Over time, the Bioretur service agreement was also established for the aquaculture industry. The challenge was waste management, particularly regarding fish sludge. Fish sludge accumulates in large quantities at aquaculture facilities or is released into marine environments. Fish sludge contains substances such as nitrogen and phosphorus, which have unique properties, especially if used as ingredient in fertilizers and soil improvement products.

Bioretur sets up and operates customized sludge treatment facilities, directly linked to existing aquaculture facilities. The dried sludge is transported further and utilized as raw material at centralized processing facilities.

The Bioretur Agreement 2014 – 2024

This year, we mark a decade of innovation and leadership in sludge management and services for the industry, initially through the Bioretur Agreement for horse owners, then extending to land-based aquaculture. From our headquarters in Bergen, we have expanded to serve customers worldwide.

Over these ten years, we have focused on being at the forefront of developing solutions that not only meet but exceed industry standards. Our success is attributed to our dedicated team, our innovative solutions, and, most importantly, our loyal customers who have stood by our side throughout this journey.

We look forward to the coming decade, with promises of continued innovation and a commitment to sustainable growth. Our goal is to continue to be a reliable partner for our customers, while exploring new ways to challenge established industry norms, technology, and services in waste management.