- Novel Ingredients
- Partnerships
BioMar and Agronutris partner on the next generation insect meal
After years of R&D, insect meal is now seen as a promising new ingredient on a clear pathway to being widely adopted.
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BioMar’s Tech Centre is a unique pilot-scale feed production facility that services our entire global R&D and production network, ensuring the high performance and quality of our innovative and sustainable aquaculture feeds.
Integrated into BioMar’s aquafeed production site in Brande, Denmark, BioMar’s Tech Centre is dedicated to the production of feed for research and process optimisation purposes. Our Tech Centre enables us in fulfilling this without disturbing our commercial feed production. Here, we evaluate variations of feed formulations to improve nutritional value and product quality, we test new ingredients and the processability of raw materials, and we test and optimise new process technologies. The Tech Centre produces more than 1000 different trial diets per year, in pellet sizes from 0.4 mm to 20 mm for various fish species and shrimp.
Core tasks of the Tech Centre include:
Producing multiple new test and development diets every day
Producing diets with novel raw materials
Evaluation of processability of new raw materials and products
Testing and optimising new production processes and equipment
Diets for research and development trials
To BioMar, it is vital to achieve reliable and useful test results that can be verified, validated and repeated in research trials. These are carried out at BioMar’s Aquaculture Technology Centres (ATC), our global trial and research facilities. Our ATCs are strategically located across the globe to facilitate trials with a focus on different species and aquaculture farming production conditions. The trial facilities experimentally resemble farm conditions while ensuring scientifically valid data extraction.
Trials at the ATCs range from systematic testing of raw materials to comparative performance trials of different feed types under a variety of different abiotic and disease conditions. Systematic deliverables of highly specific data refine modelling of nutrient flows in fish, shrimp, and environment, which form the basis for feed formulation software.BioMar’s experimental diets are formulated and produced to meet well defined parameters:
The nutritional requirements of the species farme
BioMar’s quality and performance specifications
BioMar R&D procedures and standards
Various tests are undertaken, to ensure that each recipe meets the required nutritional and physical quality parameters. We keep track of every feed recipe that is produced on the Tech Centre line with an individualised item number. Samples are collected from each batch and stored onsite for future reference. The Tech Centre has its own lab where several tests can be performed onsite. Samples can also be sent to a wide range of internal and external laboratory facilities for advanced nutritional and physical analysis. All results are collected and communicated to research and development scientists by the Tech Centre laboratory coordinator.
A foundation for feed performance
BioMar focuses on building world-class aquafeed production sites ensuring a solid basis for continuous improvements and knowledge sharing. To achieve best-in-class results, we invest in experimental facilities like the BioMar Tech Centre. It ties many of our projects together and contribute to the cohesiveness of our research. BioMar’s Tech Centre is a pilot plant in the tenth of the size of a normal feed factory. Thus, it is equipped with a variety of feed processing equipment. This allows for testing new ingredients in feed formulas including among other parameters evaluating their physical characteristics during processing.
Moreover, the Tech Centre allows for testing and optimising new production processes and production equipment prior to implementing new technologies into our commercial scale aquaculture feed production facilities.
All parts of the process are monitored by highly skilled production operators. They control pellet density, uniformity, and other essential physical pellet quality parameters. If at this stage any of the parameters are not being met, it is possible to make the required adjustments.
An essential prerequisite for high performance and quality
BioMar’s Tech Centre is an essential prerequisite for complying with our ambition for dedicated research and validation, prior to producing and commercializing our feeds. It services our entire global R&D and production network, ensuring the high performance and quality of our innovative and sustainable aquaculture feeds.
Results (69)
- R&D
Read moreBioMar acquires full ownership of leading Norwegian research centre for aquaculture
BioMar has signed an agreement to acquire full ownership of LetSea, Norway’s leading experimental and research centre for aquaculture by taking over the remaining shares from KapNor.
- R&D
- Nutrition
Read moreBioMar more than doubles vitamin D levels in all Salmon diets
BioMar has significantly increased the levels of vitamin D3 across all salmon diets. Research findings point to enhanced fish health benefits while increasing the nutritional value of farmed salmon for consumers.
- R&D
- Novel Ingredients
Read moreThe Evolution of Nutrients in Aquafeeds
Aquatic animals are highly adaptable, requiring around 40 essential nutrients that can be sourced from various raw materials, including marine ingredients, animal products, grains, and novel sources. This adaptability is crucial to the industry's growth and will allow for diverse feed formulations
- Novel Ingredients
- R&D
Read moreThe next generation of insect meals
In partnership with Agronutris we are developing the next generation of black soldier fly meals specifically designed for the needs of the aquaculture industry.
- Partnerships
- Novel Ingredients
Read moreBioMar, Innovafeed and Auchan announce landmark partnership to accelerate the commercialisation of insect meal
On the opening day of the Global Shrimp Forum, BioMar, Innovafeed, and Auchan are proud to announce a significant industry commitment: the large-scale integration of insect protein into commercial shrimp feed in Ecuador.
- R&D
Read moreBioMar explores ideal aquafeed for use in Waterborne Feeding for Salmon Farming
The latest research from BioMar has shed light on the aquafeed challenges associated with waterborne feeding systems. This new feeding system technology is gaining traction amongst salmon farmers for its potential to reduce energy consumption, microplastic pollution, and sea lice exposure. While these systems offer promising benefits, BioMar has identified specific factors contributing to nutritional loss in feed delivered through submerged systems.
- R&D
Read moreASC Feed Standard
The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) is an independent, not-for-profit organization that operates a voluntary, independent third-party certification and labelling programme based on scientifically robust Standards.
- BioFarm
- R&D
Read moreWhat are salmon lice?
The greatest health challenge for the fish farming industry today is infection with the parasite Lepeophtheirus salmonis, better known as the salmon louse.
- R&D
- Nutrition
Read moreDoes iron supplementation improve post-smolts Atlantic salmon performance and health in today’s practical diets?
Iron (Fe) is a crucial trace mineral involved in various biochemical processes in fish. For Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.), the dietary iron requirement ranges from 60 to 160 mg/kg. However, these requirements were established using purified diets with highly bioavailable iron forms, and may not reflect the needs in practical diets where interactions with antinutrients such as phytate can affect iron bioavailability.
- R&D
Read moreBioMar inaugurates new Hatchery R&D facility
BioMar’s Aquaculture Technology Centre at Hirtshals Denmark opened a new wing dedicated to research and development in the hatchery segment. The LARVIVA Hatchery Hub trial facility was officially opened by BioMar’s CEO Carlos Diaz.
- R&D
- Nutrition
Read moreDietary Vitamin D3 Supplementation Enhances Fillet Vitamin D Content in Rainbow Trout
This study explored how different levels of synthetic vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) supplementation influence whole body and fillet vitamin D3 deposition in rainbow trout reared under recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) conditions.
