Alltech Coppens Aqua Centre to open world-class research expansion

[HELMOND, Netherlands] – Alltech Coppens is pleased to announce the opening of the expansion of its world-class research facility on September 29. The digestibility research facility of the Alltech Coppens Aqua Centre (ACAC) has been increased by 50%, which will expand the company’s capacity for product development and aquaculture industry solutions. This expansion reinforces the Alltech Coppens 4 Pillars of Excellence in fish nutrition — Palatability, Performance, Pollution Control and Planet.

More than 20 years of in-depth research has been carried out at the ACAC on methods of promoting fish health and their precise nutritional requirements. This research has provided the basis for the formulation of efficient, high-performing diets and development of feeding strategies, both of which have been instrumental in the success of fish farmers.

“We are presently focused on a new recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) feed and this new system will provide more in-depth knowledge about pollution control, especially in RAS diets, and help add profitability for the farmer while lowering our impact on the environment,” said Robin Biermann, manager of the ACAC.

RAS represent complex environments where slight variations in water quality parameters can significantly affect production output. Therefore, RAS feeds for species such as African catfish must conform to more stringent criteria than feeds for any other type of fish farming. Catfish production is widespread in countries including Nigeria, Germany, Austria, Lithuania, The Netherlands and Hungary, with growing domestic markets as well as strong export sales. Nutrient requirements and feeding characteristics of catfish are key to a farm’s performance.

“The newest expansion provides us with insights into raw materials that are best suitable for inclusion within our feed range,” said Ronald Faber, CEO and global aquaculture lead of Alltech Coppens.

Alltech Coppens worked with ZEBCARE, a company that has focused on the design and construction of complete aquatic research facilities for over 30 years, to develop this revolutionary new ACAC 7 trial system, which will combine growth and digestibility trials for catfish. This system supports Alltech's vision of a Planet of Plenty™, with the animal feed and agriculture sector serving as the primary driver for substantial progress in maintaining sustainability in aquaculture.

Alltech Coppens will host an official opening of the next-generation digestibility system on September 29 at 2:00 p.m. CEST, providing the unique opportunity to step inside and get a virtual tour of the research centre expansion, insights from a catfish farmer, an overview of the Alltech Coppens 4 Pillars of Excellence in fish nutrition and an interview with Biermann. Register to attend the virtual opening via this link and for further information, visit alltechcoppens.com.