Excellence, environmental caution, equality and safety  Thorverk is an industrial partner producing organic, sustainably harvested high quality algal meal from Ascophyllum nodosum and Laminaria digitata. In its processes Thorverk promotes caution, equality, good working atmosphere and respect for the environment. Excellence in these topics was audited and acknowledged by the former majority owner IFF in 2022  and 2024, with flying colours. The fundamental issues in all operations is safety. We have an ethical-, sustanable-, security- and training- policy that is followed through with illustrated SOPs, weekly saftety meetings and morning discussions. 

Thorverk has a sustainability policy where social responsibilty, care for human rights, natural resources and respect for  public infrastructure is described. We strive for excellence. 

Thorverk pays resource rents to the Icelandic state for the rights to use geothermal hot water for drying. The resource itself belongs to the state and cannot be owned by any industrial plant. A resource rent is also duely payed to landowners where Ascophyllum is harvested and to the Icelandic state for the Laminaria digitata harvest. Allowed harvest is about 3% of the estimated biomass in Breiðfjörður and Thorverk harvests about half of that as the sole harvester in the region. 

Thorverk promotes honesty, equality, good health, enhanced skills, product development, benign environmental impact, science based know-how and respect for humans, communities, nature, and not the least the algal resources and its ecosystem. All employees go through an introduction to our core values, organic production, sustainable use and they need to adapt to the company ethics.

The company uses local geothermal wells and electricity for it's production. We operate a transport ship, a service ship and 4 harvesting machines that run on diesel oil. The power mix for the factory is described in a separate document, that incorporates the impact on the Icelandic grid mix from sales through the European ETS system. Note that the company conducts green bookkeeping and sets its sustainability goals bi-annually. Thorverk energy policy is also avaliable. 

Safety

We strive for a safe framework for the company's operations, its assets and the human resources. Also, all the company's infrastructure and equipment is well maintained so that mishaps or accidents cannot be attributable to negligence. All fire safety systems are in place and audited regularly. Excercises and handling of fire equipment is repeated annually. Valid contingency plans relating to safe production processes and industrial operations are available for all operations. The SOPs (standard operational procedures) are illustrated and describe each task. These are updated regularly and used for training purposes.  New employees and contractors are informed about these policies before they start work at Thorverk. They need to accept the set safety rules and company ethics that apply in Thorverk. Personal health and safety equipment is constantly used in every position as a last measure to avoid injuries and mihaps. Safety plans and working routines should ensure continous business operation and minimize damage. Thorverk contributes to increase safety and environmental awareness in the community.

  

 Environment and natural resources

Thorverk aims for sustainable harvesting based on continuous collection of data, GPS tracking and scientific research. The harvesters trim the top part of the Asco and leaves the holdfast of each thalli. The top can therefore grow back in given time. It is not known how old Ascophyllum can become but estimations state at least 30 years, as long as the holdfast is intact. 

Thorverk actively supports seaweed research in the Breiðafjorður to have the best available knowledge for managing harvesting activities in a sustainable way. In 2016 the Marine and Freshwater  Research Institute of Iceland (Hafogvatn) conducted a three years' research to estimate the total biomass of Ascophyllum nodosum in the bay and regeneration rates. The Marine Institute states that 3% of total biomass is annually allowed for harvest. Thorverk tracks harvesting areas and returns to the same spot only after 4 years. This approach was set already in the first years of operation (1975). This basis further ensures that Thorverk's harvesting strategy will not compromise the resource in the fjord. The fjord is rich of marine life and farmers harvest other resources such as eider dow and fish. 

Thorverk has been audited and certified by organic certifiers (see under products and certifications). The advice from the certification agencies is also adapted to Standard Operatoinal Procedures with the aim of constantly improving the performance. We avoid using chemicals that can harm the environment and try to minimize the use of plastic. All waste is separated into the correct waste streams.

Human resources and social responsibility

Thorverk constantly seeks new ways to improve the safety and well-being of our staff. Equal salaries are secured for comparable work. We want a workplace that is safe and promotes good health. All use of tobacco was banned from our facilities April 1, 2019. Communication is characterized by respect, agility, friendship and tolarance. With good and open communication we carry out effective cooperation. Discrimination, bullying and prejudice are not tolerated. Newcomers are trained by experienced, trustworthy employees.

Thorverks policy emphasises that employees have the opportunity to enroll in more education and vocational training but still recieve wages. Thorverk is the largest indipendent provider of jobs in the region and often it is the first work place for young people in the neighborhood.

Thorverk follows all standards for staff safety, respect and equity. Thorverk is located in the small community of Reykhólar, Iceland, at the north coast of the Breiðafjordur bay. The area is a waders' heaven and seabirds use the shores for nesting and feeding. Breiðafjörður is partially a nature reserve. The hot geothermal water, the fjord's abundant seaweed, clean waters and the local residents are the resources we depend on. We provide personal safety equipment for employees and visitors. All staff has the opportunity to talk to a personal health consultant annually and this encorporatesd psychological counselling as well. 

Quality policy

Our algal meal is a pure natural product. It is rich of substances that are useful as additives to fertilizers, in processed human food- and animal feed industry as well as in cosmetic products. Not to mention the alginate industries. The company ensures the quality of the dry meal to be among the best of its type in the world. Thorverk seeks in every step of the process to achieve best quality and maximum yield from the raw material that is landed. Any waste of organic matter that might be rejected from the process is put to use as soil enrichment in the region.