Welcome Mara: Reimagining the Omega-3 Supply Chain for a Healthier Planet

Nutrition shortfalls are increasingly recognized as quiet contributors to long-term health challenges. Among them is a widespread deficiency in omega‑3, a vital fatty acid that supports brain development, eye and cardiovascular health, prenatal care, and immune function. Despite its benefits, an estimated 85% of the global population remains deficient, and existing sourcing methods are insufficient to close the gap sustainably.

This challenge presents an opportunity to modernize how critical nutrients are produced and delivered. Today, we’re excited to welcome to the S2G portfolio Mara Renewables (“Mara”), an innovator addressing this issue by advancing how the world accesses omega‑3.

Bridging the Omega‑3 Gap

Omega‑3 plays a vital role in both human and animal health, and its relevance continues to expand as consumers and markets increasingly recognize its nourishing benefits across every stage of life. Yet most of today’s commercial supply still depends on wild-caught fish — primarily small pelagic species like anchovies and sardines. This method can be both ecologically inefficient and environmentally burdensome, relying on multi-step food chains that strain already vulnerable marine ecosystems.

These constraints affect stakeholders across the value chain. Limited supply and dependence on natural resources pose serious risks, particularly for vulnerable populations who rely on omega‑3 for life-sustaining health. For brands seeking consistency, naturally fluctuating omega‑3 levels make formulation difficult, while sensory issues like fishy taste can deter consumers, limiting the nutrient’s inclusion in everyday foods. As demand rises across geographies and product categories, the need for scalable, alternative sources of omega‑3 that taste great and can be seamlessly incorporated into supplements, foods, and beverages is becoming increasingly clear.

Inside Mara’s Algae-Based Innovation

Mara has built a fermentation-based production system that cultivates microalgae — the original source of omega‑3 in marine ecosystems — in controlled, closed-loop environments. Its solvent-free process yields consistent, high-quality omega‑3 without relying on genetically modified organisms or marine harvesting.

Headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and supported by a network of subsidiaries, Mara supplies algal oils in multiple formats, including crude and refined oils, concentrates, softgels, and powders. These ingredients are tailored for a wide range of applications:

• Infant nutrition: Provides a clean-label source of omega‑3 to support healthy brain, eye, and immune system development from pregnancy through early childhood. As a key structural fat in the brain and eyes, omega‑3 plays a critical role during the first 1,000 days of life, a window essential for full-term growth and long-term health.
• Dietary supplements: Vegan, sustainable, and free from marine contaminants, these products deliver omega‑3 to support brain function, heart health, vision, and immune performance throughout adulthood, offering a clean and accessible alternative for daily nutrition.
• Functional foods: GRAS-certified oils that blend easily into nutritional beverages and packaged foods, unlocking new formulation possibilities with great taste and no compromise on flavor or texture.
• Animal and aquaculture feed: Tailored for poultry, egg, and aquaculture markets, these products have been clinically shown to increase DHA levels in end products, enhancing the nutritional value of everyday foods without requiring changes to consumer diets.

In 2024 alone, the company offset an estimated 6.7 billion anchovies from the omega‑3 supply chain, which S2G views as an indicator of both its commercial relevance and environmental impact.

System-Level Benefits Meet Real-World Results

Mara’s platform delivers meaningful improvements across multiple stakeholder groups:

• Consumers benefit from cleaner, fish-free flavor and more accessible nutrition options
• Product manufacturers gain access to a dependable, consistent omega‑3 source that aligns with clean-label and sustainability goals.
• Aquaculture and animal feed producers can reduce their reliance on marine-based inputs while enhancing the nutritional value of their output.

Mara’s fermentation process also protects marine ecosystems by removing the need for forage fish harvesting, advancing change that contributes to biodiversity preservation and food system resilience.

Why We’re Backing Mara’s Vision

At S2G, we invest in companies that reimagine foundational systems with scientific rigor and commercial pragmatism. Mara stood out for its ability to condense a biologically complex, resource-intensive supply chain into a streamlined, algae-based platform that delivers essential nutrients while preserving marine ecosystems.

What made this opportunity especially compelling to us was the convergence of Mara’s scientific depth, established manufacturing capabilities, and traction across food, supplement, and feed markets. The company’s model aligns with our oceans investment strategy, which seeks to scale sustainable blue economy solutions that alleviate pressure on natural resources and improve global nutrition outcomes.

Our $9.1 million investment will help Mara advance its scientific research, increase production capabilities, and strengthen customer relationships worldwide. With a model built for both scale and sustainability, we believe Mara is well-positioned to expand its influence across the nutrition landscape.

Looking ahead, the company will prioritize manufacturing growth, introduce new product formats, and pursue strategic partnerships in key regions. As demand for omega‑3 solutions accelerates, Mara offers a compelling alternative for companies seeking to align health and sustainability goals.