Gertjan held various positions in DSM before joining the Strategy and Acquisitions unit. In this role, he identified omega-3 as an opportunity for DSM to expand its presence in nutritional ingredients. He oversaw the acquisitions of both Martek (algal oil) and Ocean Nutrition (fish oil), after which he became DSM’s first Vice President Nutritional Lipids. He was one of the initiators of Veramaris, before he moved on to other positions, including full responsibility of DSM’s portfolio of feed vitamins and premixes. Late 2022, Gertjan returned to the omega-3 space by stepping into the role of CEO of Veramaris. Over the last years, he guided this company from startup to being an established EPA/DHA algal oil supplier to the aquafeed, petfood and human nutrition industries.
You have a rich career in the industry. What initially led you to this field?
From the very beginning of my career, I have been fascinated by how innovation in nutrition can create a positive impact not only on human and animal health, but also on the planet. The idea that we can nourish pets and people while reducing pressure on natural resources has always been a strong motivator for me. Joining Veramaris was a natural step in that journey. It gave me the opportunity to combine my industry experience with a mission I feel deeply connected to – delivering essential nutrients like omega-3 EPA and DHA in a way that is scalable, sustainable and trusted.
What makes this journey even more rewarding is the opportunity to work alongside inspiring colleagues such as Rishabh Pande, Global VP of Pet food at dsm-firmenich, and George Josef, Global Business Development Director, who was part of my team at Veramaris before moving to dsm-firmenich to continue supporting the growth of our algal oil. Collaborations like these reinforce the strong partnership between Veramaris and dsm-firmenich and ensure that our mission continues to thrive globally.
Pet humanisation is a significant trend in today’s market. How do you think the petfood industry is adapting to meet the evolving needs and expectations of pet owners? And how has this trend influenced the work you do?
Pet parents increasingly expect their pets’ diets to reflect the same values and nutritional standards they apply to their own food. This means more emphasis on proactive health, sustainability and ethical sourcing. The petfood industry has responded by moving beyond basic nutrition to create science-backed, premium products that support long-term health and well-being. For Veramaris, this trend aligns perfectly with our mission. Our algal oil delivers the essential omega-3s EPA and DHA that pets need, in a way that resonates with pet owners’ demand for natural, sustainable and traceable nutrition. It motivates us to continuously raise the bar for transparency, quality and impact in the industry.
Can you tell us a bit about the importance of omega-3 EPA and DHA in petfood diets, and how Veramaris promotes them?
EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids are essential for pets’ overall health, supporting everything from skin and coat quality to brain, eye and joint function. They also play a role in reducing inflammation, which contributes to long-term vitality. Traditionally, fish oil has been the main source of EPA and DHA, but it comes with supply and sustainability challenges. Veramaris Pets Algal Oil offers a high-quality, sustainable alternative that delivers consistent levels of EPA and DHA without depleting marine resources. Together with dsm-firmenich, who promotes Veramaris Pets Algal Oil globally within the petfood industry, we are working to make this ingredient widely available to manufacturers, and ultimately, to pet parents who want the very best for their animals.
Why is it important to have a combination of both EPA and DHA in petfood diets, and how does Veramaris Pets Algal Oil address this need?
EPA and DHA play complementary roles in pet health – DHA is critical for brain, eye and nervous system development and function, while EPA helps regulate inflammation and supports cardiovascular and joint health. To deliver full nutritional effectiveness, pets need a balanced combination of both. Veramaris Pets Algal Oil provides exactly that: a potent, balanced profile of EPA and DHA in a single ingredient. It is the only microalgal oil delivering both fatty acids, making it a true alternative to fish oil. This not only ensures optimal health benefits for pets but also helps manufacturers achieve label compliance and stand out in the marketplace with a sustainable, science-backed solution.
What are some of the latest ingredient trends you’re seeing in the petfood industry, and how do you think these trends are shaping the products and preferences of pet owners?
We see three clear trends shaping innovation today:
- Health and wellness ingredients – pet owners are seeking science-based solutions that go beyond basic nutrition to support immunity, mobility and cognitive health.
- Sustainability and transparency – consumers want to know where ingredients come from and the environmental impact they carry.
- Alternative proteins and oils – driven by both sustainability concerns and humanisation trends, novel and traceable sources are gaining ground.
Veramaris Pets Algal Oil sits right at the intersection of these trends. It is science-backed, delivers proven health benefits and provides a sustainable source of EPA and DHA omega-3s with full traceability – helping petfood brands differentiate while meeting pet parents’ evolving expectations.
Looking ahead, what do you foresee as the most significant opportunity and challenge for the petfood industry, particularly concerning sustainability and feed efficiency?
The greatest opportunity lies in redefining pet nutrition through sustainable innovation. Consumers increasingly want petfood that contributes to a healthier planet as well as a healthier pet, and this opens the door for ingredients like Veramaris Pets Algal Oil that provides both. The challenge, however, will be ensuring that the industry can scale these solutions efficiently while maintaining affordability and trust. The scaling of sustainable alternatives for conventional ingredients will take brave petfood producers to spearhead the adoption and provide a reliable market. At Veramaris, we see our algal oil as a blueprint for what’s possible: a nutrient-rich, scalable and sustainable ingredient that addresses both health and environmental concerns. With dsm-firmenich as our global partner for promotion and industry reach, we are confident the petfood industry can continue to grow responsibly while meeting the expectations of the next generation of pet parents.
