In a boost for the North-West economy BioMar Australia have confirmed commissioning has commenced at their Wesley Vale facility with some 38 staff now employed, offices open and world class laboratories now in operation. The facility is on track to be in production by April and an official opening expected in late May.
In late 2017 the firm unveiled plans to develop a $56 million world-class, state-of-the art fish feed production facility at Wesley Vale.
BioMar Australia’s Managing Director, David Whyte, said 2020 is set to be a big year, with the development set to produce up to 110,000 tonnes per annum of aqua feed product to support the Australian and Oceania aquaculture industry, creating some 55 full time jobs and an additional 30 jobs across the region through indirect support, operational, port services and logistical roles.
“The team have moved into the new office build and “wet commissioning” where we run all factory machinery and control systems is underway as per our detailed plan,” Mr Whyte said.
“We’re looking forward to completing this phase and then move onto trial manufacture where we’ll be producing the finished products.”
“Ingredients are arriving at the plant ahead of starting manufacture and it’s great to see the refurbished original warehouses starting to see some action.
“We have already received interest in the project from local Tasmanian primary producers to supply ingredients and have had some preliminary discussions to date, with these discussions continuing throughout the year.”
Mr Whyte said the recruitment process had gone smoothly with a total of 38 staff members on board in a variety of roles.
“We are pretty much at full strength for this stage of the project, and the new team are excited about starting up feed production,” he said.
“With trials of our products underway on a variety of species on the mainland and New Zealand, we are bringing Biomar’s global best practices and nutritional know-how into our region helping to support sustainable innovation in aquaculture.
“This research and development work provides our state-of-the-art new facility with proven products that give us the opportunity to be much more than a salmon feed mill.
“Globally, aquaculture is a growing industry with growth expect to double by 2050. BioMar is committed to help Tasmania and our wider region play an important role in this endeavor, supporting farmers to grow healthy, sustainable and safe food.”