Denmark-based feed giant BioMar announced Tuesday it is entering a strategic long-term partnership with French biotech company Agronutris to develop the next generation of black soldier fly meal specifically designed for the aquaculture industry.
Insect meal is now regarded as a promising new ingredient with potential to be widely adopted in the aquaculture feed sector. A wide portfolio of insect meals designed for aquaculture are now entering the market.
"Black soldier fly meal has always been an interesting prospect that could be well suited for aquafeeds," said Fernando Norambuena, global category manager of novel raw materials at BioMar.
Agronutris is the first French biotech company to specialize in black soldier fly rearing and transformation into high quality proteins.
"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," said Chris Haacke, director of business development at Agronutris.
There is also an alignment between Agronutris’ mission to supply low environmental impact alternatives and BioMar, which expects to source 50 percent of ingredients from a circular and restorative economy and lowering its feed carbon footprint by a third by 2030.
"As novel raw material manufacturers continue to evolve their product offerings, we will see more collaborations in BioMar like this."
