BioMar and Agronutris have signed a long-term partnership to develop the next generation of black soldier fly meals specifically designed for the needs of the aquaculture industry. After years of R&D, insect meal is now seen as a promising new ingredient on a clear pathway to being widely adopted. A wide portfolio of insect meals design for aquaculture are entering the market.
“Black soldier fly meal has always been an interesting prospect that could be well suited for aquafeeds. In Agronutris we have found a partner that shares our mission and dedication to reducing the environmental impacts of our aquafeeds. They have developed a scalable model for black soldier fly able to meet the nutritional and sustainability profile required by us and the industry,” said Fernando Norambuena, Global Category Manager – Novel Raw Materials at BioMar.
Through detailed attention to its feedstock sourcing, 12 years of R&D achievements, and significant industrial investment, the Agronutris solution is bringing a stable, high-quality product with a high sustainability performance demonstrated by a robust life-cycle assessment. Agronutris has created an approach by which there is a clear vision of moving from a novel source of protein into an ingredient from a circular economy that has an impact at a scale relevant to the Aquaculture industry.
“For insect meal to successfully make its way into aquafeeds, it must demonstrate high nutritional value and support good growth and health for the fish and shrimp. Our innovative product has a great nutritional profile that is well suited for the aquaculture industry. At Agronutris, we are working closely with BioMar to create the ideal product that will meet their ambitious sustainability parameters”, said Chris Haacke, Director of Business Development at Agronutris.
- Fernando Norambuena
“A truly sustainable insect meal should be decoupled from the human food supply chain and fed off a substrate based on waste foods and by-products. With Agronutris, we see a viable, scalable model for producing black soldier fly meal that could see this product become a good source of nutrition in aquaculture”, said Vidar Gundersen, Global Sustainability Director at BioMar.
There is a strong strategic alignment between Agronutris’ mission to supply low environmental impact alternatives and BioMar, which has placed sustainability at the heart of its future strategy with the aim of 50% of ingredients from a circular and restorative economy and lowering its feed carbon footprint by 1/3 by 2030.
Results (69)
BioMar’s production facilities in Myre and Karmøy, Norway, have officially achieved Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) Feed certification. This latest achievement strengthens BioMar’s global commitment to responsible feed production and ensures Norwegian farmers have access to ASC-compliant feed ahead of upcoming requirements.
Biomar, in its effort to continue with its 2030 sustainability agenda, has made progress in defining and developing suppliers that are sustainable and increasingly closer to our production factories.
The French retailer Auchan, feed manufacturer BioMar, Ecuadorian shrimp farmer Edpacif, and international NGO Earthworm Foundation have joined forces to develop a new product line that sets a new standard for responsible shrimp.
For over 15 years, we’ve been proud to partner with Lallemand, , a collaboration that has led to one of the most significant innovations in aquaculture: BACTOCELL (Pediococcus acidilactici CNCM I-4622). This powerful probiotic has played a key role in enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of aquaculture production, benefiting farmers and the industry as a whole.
In the past, trimmings, viscera, and heads from fisheries were often discarded as waste. However, these side-stream products, are recognized as valuable resources that can contribute to sustainable aquaculture. While the utilization of pelagic fish side-stream products is well-established, side-stream products from whitefish remain underutilized.
The global aquafeed industry has undergone a significant transformation over the past two decades, shifting from marine-based ingredients to plant-based raw materials. This transition has linked aquafeed production more closely with the environmental and social impacts of agriculture. Sustainable raw material sourcing is critical, given that aquafeed production accounts for up to 80% of the scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions in salmon farming.
BioMar first introduced microalgae omega-3 into commercial salmon feeds in 2016 after three years of R&D and planning.
BioMar Chile has obtained ASC Feed certification for its three production facilities located in Ercilla, Pargua, and Castro. This significant achievement validates and reinforces our commitment to responsible and efficient aquaculture practices.
In partnership with Agronutris we are developing the next generation of black soldier fly meals specifically designed for the needs of the aquaculture industry.
Early results from the “Alga4Fuel&Aqua” research project, in which BioMar Hellenic is participating, indicate that a mix of the microalgae species
“Sustainability is both the challenge and opportunity of our time. It’s easy for me to commit to—it just comes naturally. The sustainable approach is for everyone, you just need to change your mindset, “ says Lauris Apsis.
Last month, we had the honor of hosting two remarkable groups of USSEC (U.S. Soybean Export Council) delegates from Tunisia and Algeria, accompanied by Dr. I. Kotzamanis, Research Director at the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR), and Dr. G. Triantafyllidis, Research Fellow at HCMR. Their visit was part of the “Sustainable Developments in Mediterranean Aquaculture” technical workshop and seminar organized by Dr. Iani Chiahai, USSEC Consultant Europe.