[HELMOND, the Netherlands] – 2016 was a busy year for Coppens International, an Alltech company and leading international aquatic feed solutions provider. Since joining Alltech, collaboration between the companies’ research teams has resulted in a wide range of projects. These projects include the introduction of several new algae products containing innovative Alltech technologies, such as the revolutionary sustainable fish oil replacer ForPlusTM, to the Coppens International aquatic product range.

Together, the two companies have added the following Alltech aquaculture technologies to the Coppens International aquatic feed range in order to provide customers with a sustainable alternative to fish oil and inorganic trace minerals as well as provide functional additives to support fish health:

· ForPlusTM: an algae-derived fish oil replacer containing very high levels of DHA omega-3 fatty acids

· Bio-Mos®: supports gut integrity and overall performance by promoting good bacteria and building defense

· ActigenTM: developed through nutrigenomics as a natural means of maintaining gut health and integrity to support overall performance

· Bioplex®: optimises overall health, growth and performance of fish using organically bound trace elements such as zinc, copper, manganese and iron

“Our full range of commercial feeds now contains a range of new additives, which are specially designed for the benefit of our customers,” said Gijs Rutjes, technical sales support manager at Coppens International. “We have added Alltech’s ForPlus, which is not only derived from algae, but is a fully traceable and sustainable source of DHA omega-3 and a fish oil replacement.

“Test results show that by completely replacing fish oil with ForPlus, we have been able to transfer a high amount of DHA omega-3 into the fish,” continued Rutjes. “Due to the unsustainable global supply of fish oil, this is a huge leap forward for our aquaculture nutrition programmes.”

Amongst the latest innovations being unveiled, Coppens International will introduce a new product to market, Neogreen, a high-quality, sustainable trout feed and the first on the market to contain ForPlus.

The new Coppens International range of products provides hope for the industry as the availability and quality of fish oil and fish meal continue to decline, impacting DHA omega-3 levels in farmed fish. Research recently carried out by University of Stirling in Scotland, for example, showed that levels of DHA omega-3 oils in farmed salmon have fallen significantly in the past five years. DHA omega-3 produced through algae offers a viable alternative in the creation of such functional foods.

“We are constantly innovating,” said Rutjes. “At Coppens International, we are passionate about exploring new ways to ensure our customers receive the very best quality aquatic feeds. Our latest range will make strides in arresting the decline in levels of DHA omega-3 in farmed fish.”

For nearly 24 years, Coppens International has earned a strong reputation for being an innovative, high-quality aquatic feed producer. The company gained compliance with the Aquaculture Stewardship Council in 2016, which provides customers with a guarantee of Coppens’ cutting-edge sustainable technologies and is vital to success in today’s demanding aquaculture industry.

“The Coppens International brand has always been associated with quality and continuous improvement of aquatic feeds,” said Patrick Charlton, CEO of Coppens International. “We developed the new range of feeds to reflect not only these attributes, but to ultimately benefit our customers.”

To find out more about the new innovative range of aquatic feeds optimised with Alltech’s algae and nutritional know-how, visit www.coppens.com.

Coppens International exports quality aquatic feed to more than 60 countries worldwide. The business is spread across three locations, with its headquarters in Helmond, the Netherlands, production in Nettetal, Germany, and research and development in Valkenswaard, the Netherlands. Coppens International is also ISO 22.000, ISO 50.001 and Global GAP certified.