A view of ATC Patagonia research centre. (Photo: BioMar)

BioMar acquires 30pc of modern Chilean aquaculture research centre

DENMARK
Wednesday, October 12, 2016, 01:40 (GMT + 9)

Aquaculture feed company BioMar has signed an agreement to purchase and use 30 per cent of the Lenca research centre from Aquainnovo, in Chile, broadening its network of excellence research centres around the world.

As part of the deal, the Chilean contract-research centre will be renamed Aquaculture Technology Centre Patagonia (ATC Patagonia).

BioMar highlights that its current design and flexibility will allow for running a broad range of trials on different species and nutritional projects for developing high performance feeds, testing of new raw materials as well as exploring new nutritional solutions and sustainable diets.

This facility will allow for increasing the throughput of BioMar R&D efforts and focus on the development on functional feeds and fish welfare. Existing capacity of this technology centre also allows research based on genetic resistance challenges and pathogen and parasites trials for therapeutic and preventive treatments.

Furthermore, the centre allows for gaining new knowledge on recirculation technology systems, assessment of chemical products, development of vaccines and product registration studies in general.

Matias Del Campo, General Manager of Aquainnovo, commented: “Aquainnovo has a state-of-the-art infrastructure and proven record of applied trials. Our team of specialists is permanently supporting our customers by being effective in developing solutions to the main technological challenges in the industry.”

Del Campo also stressed that this initiative will strengthen the technological development thanks to the synergy of knowledge that is being brought in from both companies.

“Our research centre is strongly specialized on trials for product development and validation. I am convinced that this will enhance our current offer of contract research services, which will remain open for the Global Aquaculture Industry producers and suppliers”, Del Campo added.

For his part, Havard Jorgensen, Global Director of R&D of BioMar, agreed on this and stated that they feel proud to have reached an agreement on a initiative of this level and importance in Chile.

Jorgensen pointed out that BioMar is constantly making efforts to improve their innovation capacity and that they are incorporating this centre to other facilities that they already use and that it is a perfect match to their already existing feed trial units in Central America and Europe.

“Undoubtedly ATC Patagonia will create a positive impact on global feed development. Our highly qualified team of researchers and scientists look very much forward to use this center for their trials,” Jorgensen stressed.

ATC Patagonia will help to accelerate the exchange of knowledge in BioMar´s Salmon Division and thus provide solutions in every area of development to their global customers, in order to satisfy their needs in a quick and flexible way.

The ATC Patagonia covers 2.5 hectares of surface, with more than 2,000 square metres of construction. It is located 33 kilometers from Puerto Montt, on the banks of the river Lenca.

It was created in 2011, this aquaculture contract-research center of excellence was built targeting the highest world-class standards with regard to quality, monitoring, control and biosecurity.

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