BioMar launches BioRetain to improve nutrient utilisation in aquafeeds

DENMARK – Aquafeed producer BioMar has launched BioRetain, a feed formulation concept designed to improve nutrient utilisation in fish and shrimp while increasing flexibility in raw material selection.

The concept builds on nearly three decades of research and development, focusing on helping aquatic animals retain more nutrients from feed to support growth and production performance.

BioMar said advances in nutritional science and the availability of alternative raw materials have changed aquafeed formulation over the past two decades. 

BioRetain builds on this progress by focusing on how efficiently animals utilise and retain nutrients, rather than simply increasing the protein or energy supplied through feed.

According to the company, trials have demonstrated opportunities to improve growth, feed conversion and nutrient utilisation under different farming conditions. 

In certain applications, the concept has also maintained performance with lower levels of digestible protein.

Carlos Diaz, chief executive of BioMar Group, said greater formulation flexibility would help the company respond to changes in raw material availability while maintaining biological performance and feed efficiency.

Flexible formulations across species

BioMar said BioRetain uses balanced functional nutrition to direct more nutrients towards growth, allowing formulations to adapt to different species, production systems and performance objectives.

The approach could support performance-focused feeds targeting growth and yield, as well as more cost-efficient formulations designed to maintain biological performance.

Simon Wadsworth, BioMar’s global research and development director, said nutrient retention was central to converting feed into growth and economic value for farmers.

BioMar will gradually introduce BioRetain across its product portfolio, with formulations adapted to species, markets, and production requirements. 

The company said the concept would continue to evolve as research into nutrient utilisation advances.

For aquaculture producers, improved nutrient utilisation could increase feed value and support more efficient use of raw materials. However, commercial benefits will depend on performance across species and farming conditions.

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