- R&D
BioMar strengthens R&D at ATC Hirtshals to support new species and global growth
BioMar is expanding its research and development activities at its Aquaculture Technology Centre (ATC) in Hirtshals, Denmark, to support the…
BioMar has launched BioRetain, the next step in the company’s approach to feed formulation, building on almost three decades of research and development. The new formulation concept is designed to improve nutrient utilisation while giving greater flexibility in the raw materials used to deliver high-performing feed solutions.
Aquafeed formulations have changed significantly over the past two decades as nutritional knowledge has advanced and the range of available raw materials has expanded. BioMar has continuously developed its formulation approach alongside these changes, with research increasingly focused not only on the nutrients provided through feed, but on how efficiently they are utilised by the animal.
BioRetain builds on this research by applying balanced functional nutrition to improve nutrient utilisation and retention, helping direct more of the nutrients provided through feed towards growth. This approach also creates greater flexibility in formulation, reducing dependence on individual raw materials while maintaining a strong focus on biological performance.
“BioRetain represents an important step in how we develop feed solutions for the future,” says Carlos Diaz, CEO of BioMar Group. “Greater formulation flexibility strengthens our ability to respond to changes in raw material availability while continuing to deliver the biological performance and feed efficiency our customers expect.”
BioRetain has been developed through years of research and trial work. Multiple trials have demonstrated opportunities to improve growth, feed conversion and nutrient utilisation while adapting to farming conditions, as well as maintain performance with lower digestible protein levels in certain applications.
“Growth is not simply about supplying more protein or more energy. What matters is how fish and shrimp retain and utilize those nutrients, turning more of every kilo of feed into performance and value for the farmer.” explains Simon Wadsworth, Global R&D Director at BioMar. “With BioRetain, we provide balanced functional nutrition to improve nutrient retention, giving us a stronger foundation for biological performance while increasing the flexibility of our formulations.”
BioRetain can be applied differently depending on the objectives of individual feed solutions, species and production systems. This creates opportunities to support growth and yield in performance-focused feeds, while in other applications maintaining biological performance with more cost-efficient formulations.
BioRetain will be implemented gradually across BioMar’s product portfolio, with the concept adapted to different species, markets and production requirements. This approach will allow BioMar to progressively bring the benefits of BioRetain into its feed solutions with the concept continuing to evolve as the science and understanding of nutrient utilization advances.
BioMar is expanding its research and development activities at its Aquaculture Technology Centre (ATC) in Hirtshals, Denmark, to support the…
BioMar Australia has appointed Matt Whittle as Commercial Director, effective August 2026, strengthening its senior leadership team as the…
BioMar has launched SmartCare Defence, a new functional feed solution designed to support sea bass health and reduce mortality linked to bacterial…
Following a successful growth journey in collaboration with the joint venture partner Tongwei, the production facility in Wuxi will during 2026 be…