As it seeks to meet the needs of the anticipated nine billion people occupying planet earth, the global aquaculture industry continues its rapid rate of growth, currently estimated at six percent annually.
However, this growth does not come without its opportunities and challenges. To keep up with demand, more fish meal or plant-based protein substitutes, such as soybean meal, rapeseed meal, pea protein, and corn gluten meal, will also be required to support our modern aquafeed recipes.
This challenge will likely add pressure to both the marine and terrestrial production systems, especially for the latter when resource demands shift from the oceans to land. Currently, the land-based food production systems are already under pressure to meet global demand for food, feed, biofuels, and bio-based materials.
Therefore, solutions that might balance the marine and the terrestrial resources to feed the world sustainably will be ‘future-fit’ solutions. Strategically, future-fit solutions might include the processing of novel ingredients, such as microbial biomass, algae, insect meals, copepods, and technologies that reduce natural resource inputs (eg raw material, water, and energy) in feed production and feed utilisation.
Famsun always collaborates with customers to develop and innovate aquafeed processing solutions. Recently, a package of innovative solutions was released for the production of future-fit aquaculture feed, including the SMTZ bulk density controller for flexible extrusion production, the zero-waste quick-start conditioner, and the best applications for Famsun’s aquafeed extruders to ensure the production of high-performance hatchery feed, shrimp feed, and other specific feeds for new demands.
SMTZ bulk density controller: A flexible add-on
Aquafeed producers might be facing the same challenges as Chinese aquafeed giant Tongwei. When Tongwei intended to develop low-starch low-cost feed for freshwater crab and crayfish, they learned that their initial feed products were of poor water stability, varied in size and color, and the production capacity was below their expectations. Therefore, Tongwei turned to its technical partner, Famsun, for solutions.
The SMTZ controller is designed to optimise the bulk density of extruded sinking feed products. It includes two major components: a cutting chamber and an airlock (See Figures 1 and 2). The hanging cutting chamber attaches to the end of the extruder barrel allowing the die to protrude into the chamber cavity. The airlock swings in and out of the production position, as needed, via an attached articulating arm. The two components are then connected to create an airtight pressure chamber.
No comments:
Post a Comment