BioMar has increased its research capabilities in hatchery with an expansion of its Aquaculture Technology Centre, ATC Hirtshals facility in Denmark. BioMar has now opened a state-of-the-art marine fish larval trial unit that not only allows for larval rearing but also the production of live feed.

BioMar is this year celebrating 15 years of excellence in hatchery feeds as it continues to invest in business growth in new geographical markets and new species. BioMar has recently streamlined its product portfolio and adopted new innovations and functional raw materials in its LARVIVA hatchery range to maximize health and performance. The new research facilities will enable BioMar to continue to drive breakthrough innovation in the hatchery feed segment.

The opening of the new hatchery research and development facilities is the second of a three-phased strategic plan for the segment. Last year BioMar announced heavy investment in the area, including the establishment of a business unit in Nersac, France headed by Chris Dinneweth and the expansion of the fry feed production line in Brande, Denmark expected later in 2019.

“We see significant growth potential in the hatchery feed segment. Our new research facilities will help us continue to evolve our larval feed range while allowing us to respond faster to market and customer needs”, Ole Christensen, VP of EMEA at BioMar said.

The ATC Hirtshals now houses 24 RAS larval rearing trial units ranging from 50 to 100 litres, all operating under strict controlled conditions. The new system allows for fine-tuning protocols for larval rearing as well as the production of live feed including Rotifers and Artemia. BioMar has complete control within the trial units, including temperature, salinity, photoperiod and light-intensity, allowing for strongly replicated trials and the ability to work on a range of marine species.

 ^{Keshuai Li, Scientist Nutrition Formulation, BioMar ATC Hirtshals hatchery.}

“The launch of the hatchery trial facility at our ATC Hirtshals is a significant boost to the BioMar Hatchery business unit which will allow us to undertake in-house marine fish larvae feed trials. We look forward to developing and bringing to the market new and exciting innovations in hatchery feeds”, concluded Ole Christensen.