Leveraging their complementary capabilities, omega-3 companies Marine Ingredients and KD-Pharma have announced they will be merging, with anticipated completion during the fourth quarter of 2016.

KD-Pharma is a German-based global supplier of active pharmaceutical omega-3 fatty acids with a rapidly growing position in nutraceutical applications. U.S.-based Marine Ingredients provides custom-crafted omega-3 solutions for nutritional brand owners.

Included in the merger are Marine Ingredient’s Norway-based manufacturing operation, specializing in natural and low-to-medium concentrated fish oils, transesterification, and liquid bottling, as well as Marine’s interest in Bering Select—a new Cod Liver Oil production facility located in Dutch Harbor, Alaska.

Marine’s Florida-based InnovaGel, a contract manufacturer of soft gels, is also included, bringing substantial value-added capabilities to the new organization.

Oscar Groet, CEO of KD Pharma will serve as CEO for the combined organization, while Marine Ingredients management, led by its president, Olav Sandnes, will continue to run Marine Ingredients, coordinating the group’s global nutritional supplement business. Both parties agreed not to disclose financial details of the transaction, but did announce that all entities on both sides will merge into a single group.

“Merging with KD-Pharma enables Marine Ingredients to enlarge our company’s dedication to superior quality, operational excellence, and innovation, while also expanding our manufacturing technologies, which provides even greater benefits for our customers; the synergies allow both companies to extend competitive advantage to our customers. This is a win-win for the brands and customers we work with,” said Olav Sandnes, President of Marine Ingredients.

“I am incredibly excited about this merger and the opportunities it allows the collective organization to bring to the market,” said KD CEO Oscar Groet. “Marine’s products, customers and finished goods manufacturing capabilities combined with the technology and global presence of KD will allow us to serve a much broader segment of the market.”