ADM opens aquafeed lab in Illinois

Leading nutrition group ADM has officially opened a specialist Aquaculture Innovation Lab at its Animal Nutrition Technology Centre (ANTC) in Decatur, Illinois.

ADM, which operates in the fields of human and animal nutrition, said the new lab will extend its research and development capabilities for aquafeed across a range of different species, including fish and shellfish.

Housed within the 12,000 sq. ft. ANTC facility, aqua researchers will have access to a pilot lab that allows production of commercial-equivalent feeds for rapid prototyping of new technologies, such as feed ingredients and additives that can increase production efficiency, mitigate environmental impact and improve animal health and welfare.

In addition, the ANTC is strategically located near ADM’s James R. Randal Research Centre and ADM production facilities in Decatur, the company said.

Nuria Miquel, Vice President, R&D, ADM Animal Nutrition said: “The opening of this new wet lab demonstrates our commitment to scientific discovery, bringing expanded capabilities to our competitive aqua innovation network worldwide.

“It also reinforces knowledge-sharing between our animal and human nutrition colleagues, allowing our innovation projects to benefit from a central hub of expertise.”

ADM’s existing aqua facilities in Latin America and Southeast Asia include outdoor research labs for shrimp and fish in large, farm-like systems. The North American lab is designed for upstream research and product development.

At the Decatur Lab, trials can be conducted with a variety of target species and segments, including various water temperature and salinity options, with tight control over water quality conditions, fish performances, behaviour and health status.

The first trials at the new Lab are expected to begin in the first quarter of 2022.