Deep Branch and BioMar have signed a long-term technical and commercial partnership to redefine traditional aquaculture feed ingredients and improve the aquaculture industry’s efficiency, profitability and sustainability.
The immediate focus of the cooperation will be to optimise salmon feed using Proton™, a single cell protein developed by Deep Branch for the feed industry, as a primary protein source.
“The world needs to move from making pledges to taking action, and we are passionate about industrial ecology underpinning the next generation of food production. We see BioMar as a key partner in bringing Proton™ to market as its ambitious targets and commitment to collaboration fully align with ours,” said Pete Rowe, CEO Deep Branch.
BioMar is a leading supplier of aquaculture feed driving the uptake of sustainable feeds through its Blue Impact diets. The company encourages and stimulates regenerative practices in its supply chain and has set targets for the minimum inclusion of circular and restorative ingredients in its products. Furthermore, BioMar is aiming to decouple feed supply chains from environmental degradation and directly competing with food for human consumption.
“At BioMar, we’re constantly seeking innovative raw materials that don’t compete with human food production and using nutrients from by-products that minimise waste. So we’re excited to have established this strategic partnership with Deep Branch,” said Paddy Campbell, VP Salmon, BioMar.
To kick off the partnership, Deep Branch will transport Proton™ from its facility in the Netherlands to BioMar’s Technology Centre in Denmark to produce Proton™-based feed until the end of 2022. The companies will conduct a full suite of nutritional assessments in Denmark, Norway and the UK to test the protein-rich ingredient. These tests will focus on performance, digestibility and other parameters essential for fish health and growth.
“Innovation doesn’t happen in a vacuum. We have a unique opportunity to create new value chains and ensure this is a net positive for all stakeholders. Our partnership with BioMar will create a powerful message for potential upstream partners that supplying hydrogen and carbon dioxide to our facilities can directly decarbonise our food systems,” said Pete Rowe.
Both Deep Branch and BioMar are part of the end-to-end, value chain-wide REACT-FIRST consortium, supported by grant funding from Innovate UK. The REACT-FIRST programme is designed to obtain critical data on the cost, digestibility, nutritional quality and carbon footprint of Proton™ and is the first step towards the ingredient’s commercial development.
“Deep Branch is a company that shares our vision and passion for a sustainable food and aquaculture system. Driving a breakthrough innovation such as Proton™ requires collaboration across the value chain, and we look forward to working together to make Proton™ a commercial reality in our aquafeeds,” concluded Paddy Campbell.