Alltech acquires Coppens International, an innovative aquatic feed and nutrition company

[DUNBOYNE, Ireland] – Alltech has acquired Coppens International, a leading international aquatic feed solutions company in the Netherlands. Coppens International is now part of the Alltech family of companies, which includes 14 other companies that Alltech has acquired globally since 2011.

For almost 24 years, Coppens International has earned a strong reputation for being an innovative, high-quality aquatic feed producer. The company’s specialties include temperate and tropical marine and freshwater diets for a variety of juvenile and adult species. The company also produces top-quality ornamental, specialty and bait feeds. Alltech’s latest acquisition enhances the Coppens International product range by integrating Alltech’s microalgae and protein platforms, thereby providing customers with cutting-edge sustainable technologies pertinent to success in today’s demanding aquaculture industry. 

Always thinking ahead, Alltech already owns one of the world’s largest commercial algae production sites in Kentucky, USA. No longer a buzzword, algae are gaining attention for their application to the feed and food industries as a highly sustainable source of protein and DHA omega-3.

Coppens International is one of the most innovative, high-quality aquatic nutrition businesses that manufacture a range of aquatic nutrition solutions, with a strong production infrastructure, right in the heart of Europe. Coppens International has an impressive and dynamic distribution network spread across more than 60 countries, including the Netherlands, France, Germany and Australia. Coppens International products are sold to fish producers via direct sales or through distributor and dealer channels.

“Coppens International has many qualities we admire in a fish nutrition business: a robust, quality production system, dynamic routes to market and a pioneering spirit for research and development, which, all combined, present us with numerous synergies,” said Dr. Pearse Lyons, founder and president of Alltech. “With a combination of Alltech’s primacy in science and Coppens International’s strong distribution network, we have a winning formula for moving aquatic nutrition forward to greater feed efficiency.

“Aqua producers face many common challenges, such as mineral absorption, feed costs and efficiency,” continued Dr. Lyons. “With Coppens International now part of the Alltech family, we can make global efforts to address these challenges for our customers.”

Improved nutrition is a pressing need for the productivity of the world’s aquatic food chain. By improving nutrition, aquatic producers are able to realise a significant increase in feed efficiency.  Alltech’s continued commitment to tailoring nutrition and health programmes allows producers on the land and in water to raise healthier animals, crops and fish through a process that is better for animals, fish, consumers and the environment. With the welcome addition of Coppens International to the Alltech family of companies, fish producers around the world can expect nutritional, efficient and effective aquatic feed.

“With an average growth rate of 10 percent per annum, this is a truly exciting time to be in the aquaculture sector,” said Anno Galema, managing director of Coppens International. “By joining Coppens International with Alltech, we now capitalise on this growth and bring together the best aquatic nutrition solutions to aquatic producers around the world.

“I am delighted Coppens International is now firmly connected to a company at the forefront of science, animal health and nutrition,” continued Galema. “Our future with Alltech now strengthens our ability to deliver aquatic feed nutrition solutions like never before.”

Coppens International will continue to be headquartered in Helmond, the Netherlands, and led by Galema, who will report to Patrick Charlton, vice president at Alltech and newly appointed CEO of Coppens International.

The Coppens International business is spread across three locations. The first, its headquarters in Helmond, the Netherlands, focuses on customer and sales support. The second location in Nettetal, Germany, focuses on production, scheduling and logistics, exporting quality aquatic feed to more than 60 countries worldwide. The third location in Valkenswaard, the Netherlands, focuses on research and development.

Alltech has more than tripled its sales in the last four years, with current sales revenues in excess of $2 billion USD. Since 2011, Alltech has successfully completed 15 acquisitions.

“Today’s aquaculture sector requires focus, dedication and an aggressive approach to continuous improvement of nutritional technology,” said Charlton. “Moving forward together with Coppens International provides a wealth of opportunity and growth, which will benefit aquatic producers across the globe.”

Read Dr. Pearse Lyons' thoughts on the acquisition and how this will impact global aquaculture nutrition on our blog.