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
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.
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.
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 (52)
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
After years of R&D, insect meal is now seen as a promising new ingredient on a clear pathway to being widely adopted.
Yellowtail kingfish (Seriola lalandi) is a highly valued marine species known for its rapid growth and high market price. Predominantly farmed in sea cages in regions such as Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and Mexico, this species is now being explored for recirculating aquaculture systems in Europe and the USA.
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.
Marine ingredients are a finite resource, and by including microalgae in aquaculture diets, we can help stabilise the pressure on fish stocks.
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.
Research coming out of BioMar’s R&D department which was showcased at the Global Seafood Conference in Scotland yesterday, shows that many of the new novel ingredients are delivering more than just good sustainability metrics. They are maintaining strong growth performance as well as showing positive effects on robustness, welfare and health.
Managing sea lice infestations in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) aquaculture often involves mechanical treatments that can cause acute stress, reducing feed intake and compromising growth.