Advancing the future of aquafeed development

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 (53)

    The 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

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    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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    Does 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.

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    Microalgae no longer considered a niche ingredient in BioMar

    BioMar's facility in Brande, Denmark, follows the success of the other production facilities in the UK and in Norway and significantly scales up the inclusion of microalgae into their raw material portfolio.

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    BioMar 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.

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    ASC 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.

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  • Largemout Bass being held in a pond

    Improved heat stress tolerance for Largemouth Bass fed with natural antioxidant

    Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) are a crucial freshwater aquaculture species in China, facing challenges like high water temperatures that cause significant economic losses. One promising solution is using functional feeds with natural antioxidants.

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    Microalgae to become the primary source for omega 3

    BioMar first introduced microalgae omega-3 into commercial salmon feeds in 2016 after three years of R&D and planning.

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    Boosting hatchery success: Effective live feed and microdiet protocols for larval rearing efficiency

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    Shaping the future of aquafeed Omega-3 Alternatives

    Long-chain omega-3 fatty acids are essential for the health of fish, shrimp, and the humans who consume them. However, sourcing these crucial nutrients for aquafeed has become increasingly complex.

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    Responsible shrimp

    We have partnered with Earthworm Foundation, an international non-profit undertaking social and environmental projects, to drive responsible shrimp projects in Ecuador.

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  • Image of fish being held

    Jinni Gu: Natural ingredients support Atlantic Salmon in coping with handling stress

    Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) farming industry frequently faces the challenge of managing sea lice infestations, which necessitates mechanical treatment procedures that can stress the fish. Handling stress from crowding and delousing can negatively impact fish appetite and growth, leading to economic losses.

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