The company has launched a new diet, MaGro, that aims at helping tuna farmers to avoid the biosecurity risks and sustainability issues associated with baitfish diets. The new diet, that is available in Japan, is a soft extruded feed for bluefin tuna that has been created using patented production technology.

The ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIBA) has partnered with Aker BioMarine India to test krill meal in shrimp and fish feeds in India.

Simon Seward was named Aker BioMarine’s new VP QRILL Sales in Asia.

Entobel announced that it has raised €1 million in funding. Strategic local investors, as well as Western European investors, took part in this round of funding which will allow Entobel to build its first commercial-scale insect protein factory in Vietnam.

The American Soybean Association in partnership with Kansas State University officially launched the Commercialization of Aquaculture for Sustainable Trade Cambodia project (CAST). The project will connect trade and development by accelerating the production of high-demand fish species for the Cambodian market and developing a lasting aquaculture industry that recognizes the value of soybean protein in feed.

Japanese farm, euglena Co., whose microalgae products have applications ranging from health food and cosmetics to biofuels has become the first in the world to attain certification to the new ASC-MSC Seaweed (Algae) Standard.

Charoen Pokphand Foods (CP Foods) wants all fishmeal suppliers meet the standards to improve sustainability and traceability.

US exports of DDG to Thailand has been stopped due to new fumigation requirements.

The joint-venture between Skretting and West Coast Group and its new aquafeed plant will support the country’s growing need for sustainable shrimp and fish feeds.

The government of Manipur has announced plants to setup a state-run feed mill to produce fish feeds. Manipur requires 52,000 metric tonnes of fish feed to be self sufficient against the 32,000 metric tonnes of fish produced by the state in a year. According to the state fisheries secretary, a mill with a capacity of producing 170 kilograms of fish feed per hour will be installed by March 2019.

India’s largest shrimp feed maker has lost nearly three-fifths of its market value so far this year as shrimp prices fell and raw material costs rose. Shares of Avanti Feeds Ltd. plunged nearly 59 percent in 2018, the worst yearly rout since 2011 listing, according to Bloomberg data. A 20-25 percent drop in shrimp output in addition to higher prices of soymeal and fishmeal are largely responsible for the drop in earnings.

Benchmark Holdings announced that it has successfully prosecuted patent infringement in Thailand. The IP&IT court in Thailand ruled that Marine-Tech International (MTI) infringed two of Benchmark's patents related to artemia and hatching enrichment, and the company must cease using the patented technology. The court also awarded damages to Benchmark, which may be subject to appeal. "We are pleased the IP&IT court in Bangkok has ruled in our favor, vindicating the intellectual property which underpins the value of our innovative solutions and future product pipeline. Robust intellectual property protection will continue to be a core strategic area of focus for the group."

During an event held between Vietnamese and Norwegian fishery firms, experts advised that the fisheries sector in Việt Nam should use more seafood by-products such as bones, heads and skin to add value to the industry. Trần Đình Luân, deputy general director of the Directorate of Fisheries, said that the country’s high-quality seafood was exported to many countries, but that Marine Rest Raw Materials could be used to make other products such as animal feeds, thus yielding more profits and reducing the need for discharge of waste.

Global investment firm Permira and Grobest have announced that a new joint venture company backed by Permira funds will acquire 50% of the shares of Grobest, and will become the sole corporate shareholder of Grobest after closing. The investment in Grobest is the result of Permira’s continued thematic focus on the food value chain and specifically on aquaculture. “We are very pleased to partner with the pioneering team at Grobest, a real R&D leader in advanced aquatic functional feed and health products in Asia, and work closely with them to unlock the company’s full potential on the global journey ahead."

Alltech has officially opened its state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Pune, India. The Pune facility was designed to cater not only to the local market but to South Asia and Southeast Asia, Australia and Europe as well. The plant spans a total area of 132,000 square feet and employs 50 full-time team members. The facility features modern scientific technology and utilizes advanced quality systems. With a production capacity of 25,000 tons per year, it is the largest organic trace mineral plant in Asia.

Nutriad has announced the appointment of Mr. Goud Dhanunjaya as Regional Sales Manager Aquaculture for the Indian sub-continent (ISC). The move is part of the continuous strategic expansion of Nutriad into the rapidly developing aquaculture market, aiming to have experienced local staff in key markets.

Evonik is inviting feed and feed additive producers to utilize a new state-of-the-art feed mill in Vietnam, which was designed to produce pelleted trial feeds. The feed mill, a scientific collaboration between Evonik and Nong Lam University, is dedicated to research trials and provides a valuable resource to foster technological advancement of a more sustainable feed industry in the country. “The feed mill is also open to other companies that wish to test their products. Evonik alone will not be able to provide all of the solutions. We have, to a certain extent, specialized and concentrated on probiotics while other companies specialize in organic acids and alternative products. These need to be tested, compared and checked, and this is why we are looking for partners.”

The acquisition represents De Heus’ entry in the Indonesian animal feed market.

A state-of-the-art feed mill for production of pelleted trial feeds has opened at Nong Lam University, Vietnam, as part of a scientific collaboration with Evonik. The facility will produce mash feed for research trials and is designed for handling various small batches, while minimizing cross-contamination. As well as providing a basis for better research, the feed mill will also be an important teaching resource. “The collaboration with Evonik will put us at the forefront of animal nutrition research in Vietnam. The company’s global R&D expertise complements our existing capabilities, and together we can drive more innovative solutions for the future.”

Nutriad has set forth plans to increase its market share in China. In addition to recently upgrading its local production facilities and investing in people, product development and quality systems, the company participated at VIV China in Nanjing to interact with customers, distributors and key opinion leaders. “Not only because of the size of the market, but also because of the challenges Chinese producers face, we are confident that we can accelerate our growth in China with the practical solutions we offer and the local technical support available through our direct interaction with customers as well as via our extensive distributor network.”