Bangkok-headquartered Thai Union, a major packer of value-added frozen and canned seafood products, and Corbion, an innovator in producing algae-based ingredients for animal feed, on October 12 announced the expanded adoption of AlgaPrime DHA, an omega-3 rich algae feed ingredient, in Thai Union shrimp feed following a successful large scale trial in 2019. The partnership marks a pivotal moment for both shrimp farmers and other seafood producers as it validates another success in using alternative, sustainable feed ingredients at scale.
As one of the fastest growing species within the aquaculture industry, farmed shrimp currently accounts for 55% of global shrimp production, presenting an unprecedented opportunity to drive sustainable growth. The expanded adoption of AlgaPrime DHA by Thai Union Feedmill PCL reflects a priority to utilize ingredients that are traceable, reliable and sustainably produced.
As an additional source of omega-3s, AlgaPrime DHA is a native, whole algae ingredient that contains high levels of omega-3 DHA, approximately twice as high as the omega-3s found in commonly used fish oils. AlgaPrime DHA is a clean ingredient, sustainably produced through fermentation with non-GM cane sugar as a feedstock. It also helps to reduce pressure on marine resources and provides supply security for a key nutrient for shrimp growth and development.
“We value driving innovation for a sustainable seafood industry and as such, look to source new and innovative products that operationalize our SeaChange sustainability goals,” said Darian McBain, Thai Union’s global director of corporate affairs and sustainability. “Our expanded work with Corbion progresses our goals on responsible sourcing by making efficient use of marine resources in aquaculture feed and complementing this with the use of alternative oils and proteins. This helps to provide feed solutions that support optimal nutrition, consistency and supply chain transparency for our network of shrimp farmers.”
Thai Union’s SeaChange sustainability strategy drives meaningful improvements across the entire global seafood industry, especially when it comes to traceable and responsible sourcing. Inclusion of AlgaPrime DHA in Thai Union’s feed is one initiative that is progressing the company’s goal of bringing responsibly sourced and sustainably harvested shrimp to market.
“We are thrilled to expand adoption of AlgaPrime DHA in shrimp feed through our partnership with Thai Union,” said Chris Haacke, global aquaculture lead at Corbion. “AlgaPrime DHA is positioned to change the landscape of the fast-growing sustainable shrimp aquaculture industry by offering a proven solution to farmers and seafood producers.”
About Corbion
Since 2016, Corbion has been producing AlgaPrime DHA at large industrial scale relevant to the needs of the aquaculture industry. The company, which generated sales of € 976.4 million in 2019 and has been in business for more than 100 years, is regarded as a global market leader in lactic acid and its derivatives, and a leading supplier of emulsifiers, functional enzyme blends, minerals, vitamins, and algae ingredients.
