Gambol Pet and Aker QRILL Company have signed a global strategic partnership, elevating their long-standing supply chain relationship into a broader alliance focused on science-led innovation and sustainability in pet nutrition.
The partnership combines Aker QRILL Company’s knowledge of krill-based marine nutrition and ethical harvesting with Gambol Pet’s rapidly expanding pet food line. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Stephanie Du, President of Gambol Pet, stated that the company’s quick growth with brands like Myfoodie and Fregate has been fuelled by a dedication to creating products to the highest standards right from the start. The collaboration with Aker QRILL Company, according to her, it is a logical move in line with Gambol Pet’s long-term goals.
With sustainability at the heart of its business, Aker QRILL Company is a world leader in krill ingredients and has been MSC-certified since 2006. The company reduces its influence on the Antarctic marine ecosystem through the use of unique Eco-Harvesting technology. Only around 1% of the krill biomass in fishing area 48 may be harvested each year, according to rules established by the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), with the remaining 99% going towards supporting marine animals like whales and penguins. By willingly stopping operations close to the Antarctic Peninsula during the penguin nesting season, Aker QRILL Company goes above and beyond legal regulations. “Aker’s approach aligns perfectly with our core belief in respecting the nature of dogs and cats,” Du said. “True pet nutrition means respecting animals as independent beings.”
Three main pillars will be the focus of the strategic alliance. The first is collaborative research and development that combines Gambol Pet’s data-driven insights into pet behaviour with the marine nutrition expertise of Aker QRILL Company to produce unique nutrition solutions. The second pillar focuses on ESG cooperation, with both businesses striving to advance sustainability in marine conservation and animal welfare throughout Gambol Pet’s supply chain. The third element is brand co-creation, which aims to use collaborative efforts to convey a common message of “science plus sustainability” to consumers worldwide.
During the event, Gambol Pet received a symbolic “boarding pass” from Bjørn Wallentin, Senior Vice President of Global Sales at Aker QRILL Company, asking the company to take part in a future Antarctic expedition centred around penguin conservation. Du accepted the offer and stressed the long-term significance of protecting the ocean for future generations and pets.
Representatives from Aker QRILL Company visited Gambol Pet’s Shanghai R&D Centre after the signing to see how premium krill ingredients are turned into customised pet nutrition products. The collaboration, which combines scientific know-how with ecological responsibility to help define the future of pet nutrition, demonstrates the expanding significance of Chinese pet companies on the international scene.