No sausages without natural casings from Norilia

Norwegians love sausages, consuming an average of 100 sausages every year. An important but often overlooked ingredient is the natural casings processed at Norilia's facility in Fredrikstad.

The walls of Norilia's natural casing department in Fredrikstad are steeped in history. For over fifty years, this division has handled the export and import of natural casings.

The team consists of three skilled professionals, led by Wenche Nordli, Østfold’s first female sausage maker. Together, the team has a total of 120 years of experience in the meat industry.

- Our extensive experience has paid off. Our focus on craftsmanship, expertise, experience, service, and quality has made us the preferred partner in the market, says Wenche Nordli.

Norilia’s mission is to ensure that every part of the animal is utilized. Everything delivered to the slaughterhouses is used either as food or feed.

- An animal is much more than just tenderloin and roast. At Norilia, we have a long tradition of utilizing the entire animal and turning resources like natural casings into food," says Wenche.

Norwegian lamb and pork casings are particularly well-suited for raw sausages and other processed meat products.

- With excellent animal health, welfare, and food safety focus at slaughterhouses, we are a trusted supplier of sheep and pig casings for export. Our imported natural casings are of high quality, delighting Norwegian sausage lovers, adds Wenche.

Using animal intestines for sausage production is an ancient tradition. Norilia carries on this tradition using modern techniques.

In Fredrikstad, the casings are carefully inspected and prepared for the Norwegian market.

- We package and prepare pig casings here, making them easier for sausage makers to work with, Wenche explains.

Although machines have replaced many processes, the quality of each natural casing is checked manually.

- Both the length and diameter are carefully measured and logged in a quality control system. It’s crucial that the natural casings have the correct length and diameter and can withstand their intended use. We inspect each casing for deviations or weaknesses, says Trond Nordli.

Trond explains that a single pallet of sheep casings is enough for approximately 15,120 kg of wiener sausages.

- We ship out seven pallets a week, year-round. That’s enough sheep casings for about 105 tons of wiener sausages per week, Trond adds.

Each week, the factory sends out wiener sausages equivalent to the weight of 58 Tesla Model 3 cars. Annually, the Fredrikstad division ships enough sheep casings for around 5.5 million wiener sausages, or the weight of 3,016 Tesla Model 3 cars.

For Norwegians to enjoy wiener sausages and Christmas sausages for dinner, a long value chain—from farmer to store—is essential.

- At Norilia, we take great pride in our work and believe we play a vital role in taking over the baton from farmers and contributing to sustainable food production, concludes Wenche Nordli.

Do not hesitate to contact Wenche Nordli.