The winning product, Skretting’s MicroBalance FLX, is a feed for salmon containing zero fishmeal. The product is a result of three decades of research conducted by the Skretting Aquaculture Research Centre (ARC) exploring the potential for alternative raw materials to replace traditional, finite, marine-based feed components, while ensuring the growth, health and final nutritional qualities that consumers expect from their seafood.

“Marine ingredients like fishmeal are great ingredients for aquaculture feed, and it took a long time to fine-tune our understanding of the complexities in order to replace them,” says Alex Obach, Skretting R&D Director. “We have considered, among other qualities of fishmeal, the nutritional profile, digestibility and content of functional micro-ingredients. Our research was carried out in a number of phases, first looking explicitly at the nutrient requirements of the fish, then evaluating alternative raw materials, undertaking digestive and metabolic research, before finally proving that by clever selection and formulation, we can optimize the feed for the fish with no fishmeal, without any compromise on growth, health or quality.”

José Villalón, Nutreco Sustainability Director, and Trygve Berg Lea, Skretting Sustainability Manager received the Award in London. “We are extremely happy to be recognized for a product that epitomises our company-wide mission of Feeding the Future. Innovation is the core of our values and Skretting’s MicroBalance FLX is a great example of how we can use this innovative mindset to play a part in resolving the looming global food crisis,” says Villalón.

One of Skretting’s most significant sustainability objectives has been to develop the capability to become independent of fishmeal. Launched in 2016, MicroBalance FLX is the biggest breakthrough in this work to date, when Skretting became the first commercial company to offer grower diets for salmon containing zero fishmeal.