BioMar has announced it is expanding its feed offering to include a new bioremediation solution, which it says will ensure optimal environmental conditions for shrimp from hatchery to grow-out.
Bioremediation, the application of microbes and enzymes to improve water quality in aquaculture, is new territory for BioMar. The company has been a pioneer in the development of probiotics in preventive health feeds since 2010 for both shrimp and fish aquaculture, but this is the first time it has developed probiotic solutions for pond and hatchery water treatment.
The new product category, called SmartCare Balance, adds to BioMar's well-established hatchery feed range. It also complements the company's existing SmartCare preventive health programme, which it describes as "a holistic approach to health and welfare".
"Shrimp health and welfare start with the ideal environment for the shrimp to thrive in. These conditions will aid in better survival rates and higher performance," said Henrik Aarestrup, BioMar's Vice President for Emerging Markets.
The new bioremediation solution will be first released in Ecuador, before becoming available in other parts of Latin America and Asia.
"Since we entered Ecuador in 2017, we have been building our market position, and with LARVIVA, we have achieved market leadership in the hatchery segment, helping customers reduce their hatchery cycle from 21 to 15 days," said Aaerstrup.
"In addition, we have a strong local presence and a team of experts supporting our customers. It was clear to us that Ecuador was the ideal location to first introduce our new products before expanding to other markets," he added.
Ecuador is currently the world's largest shrimp exporter, and viewed as a particularly promising location for shrimp aquaculture, with other feed companies such as Skretting also expanding their operations in the country.
BioMar is one of the leading suppliers of high performance feed to the aquaculture industry worldwide. In addition to production facilities, the company also has research and development facilities of its own. Operationally, BioMar is structured around three divisions: Salmon, EMEA and Emerging Markets. The company operates 17 feed factories across the globe and supplies feed worldwide to around 90 countries and for more than 45 different species. BioMar is the only company to supply diets with a probiotic health claim approved by the European Commission for inclusion in aquafeeds.