Alltech, a global leader in agriculture and animal nutrition, and Finnish circular-economy company Finnforel are joining forces to acquire the Raisioaqua fish feed production facility from Finnish company Raisio. Raisioaqua manufactures environmentally friendly feed for aquaculture and specializes in functional feeding solutions that are suitable for northern conditions. The acquisition will complete Finnforel’s sustainable circular-economy fish-farming chain while also enhancing aquaculture producers’ access to Alltech’s nutritional technologies.
“Aquaculture continues to be one of the world’s fastest-growing sources of protein, according to Alltech’s annual Agri-Food Outlook, and is one of the key focus areas for our business,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech. “Together with Finnforel, we will be enhancing the quality and availability of nutrition for sustainable aquaculture systems. Aqua producers will benefit from the strength of Alltech’s scientific research and commercial expertise globally, including a dedicated aqua nutrition research center, the Alltech Coppens Aqua Centre (ACAC) in the Netherlands, which specializes in nutrition for recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS).”
Alltech continues its commitment to Working Together for a Planet of Plenty™ by partnering with companies like Finnforel to deliver smarter, more sustainable solutions for aquaculture, resulting in better nutrition and a decreased environmental impact. Backed by over 40 years of research and customer success, Alltech’s specialty feed ingredients and Alltech Coppens aquafeeds offer superior nutritional solutions for fish and shrimp. The ACAC in the Netherlands is one of Alltech’s five bioscience centers around the world.
“Finnforel and Alltech Coppens have been working together for several years on sustainable aquaculture practices,” said Ronald Faber, CEO of Alltech Coppens. “This joint acquisition reflects the ambition of both companies, our shared values and the strength of our partnership.”
Finnforel also specializes in RAS, which allow producers to control water purity, temperature, stocking density and feeding while requiring 99% less water than traditional methods. The method’s indoor growing tanks provide a less stressful aquaculture environment that can be better controlled by aquaculture producers.
“I believe that Finnforel’s well-honed model, which works without antibiotics or environmental emissions, can support a significant part of this market,” said Pekka Viljakainen, chairman of the board of Finnforel Oy.
Aquaculture is an efficient way to produce nutritious protein for a growing population. As sustainable recirculating aquaculture systems are viable even in desert conditions, Finnforel’s aim is to export Finnish aquacultural expertise to the world in the coming years. Alltech’s and Finnforel’s acquisition of the Raisioaqua feed production facility will complete the circular-economy fish-farming chain in Finland and provide a replicable model for others.
“At the heart of Finnforel’s strategy are so-called gigafactories specialized in sustainable aquaculture,” said Viljakainen. “In these aquaculture gigafactories, the entire production chain is in our own hands, from the parent fish and the eggs they produce to the consumer products.”
“Feed developed in accordance with the principles of a sustainable circular economy represents the last link in the chain,” added Jussi Mekkonen, CEO of Finnforel Oy. “We have another new aquaculture facility that will be completed in spring 2023, after which we will be able to produce the eggs used in fish farming. Then, the entire fish-farming chain will be ready to be exported to the world.”
For more information, visit finnforel.com, alltech.com and alltechcoppens.com.
The Aquaculturists
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