Friday, March 15, 2024

KAS announces $3M funding round to expand production of natural algae astaxanthin

March 15, 2024 - Kuehnle AgroSystems (KAS), a leading microalgal innovation and production company, recently announced that it has raised a $3 million Series A2 funding round led by S2G Ventures. The funding will accelerate the commercialisation of KAS's pioneering method for producing natural astaxanthin from micro algae, a key component in sustainable aquaculture systems as well as a clinically proven human nutraceutical.


KAS has patented an innovative process that uses dark fermentation in closed and vertical tank systems to produce high-quality natural algae astaxanthin. Utilising a more sustainable feedstock and production method than current natural and synthetic astaxanthin production methods, KAS's process results in lower production costs, higher yields, faster growth times and less water and energy consumption.

Astaxanthin is a carotenoid with antioxidant properties present in natural aquatic algae, which is consumed by salmonids and shrimp and gives these species their characteristic red colour. In aquaculture systems, which produce over 50 percent of the seafood we eat globally, astaxanthin is incorporated to provide similar pigments. However, 95 percent of astaxanthin currently used in aquaculture feed is synthetic and derived from petrochemicals. KAS aims to replace synthetic with natural algal astaxanthin, addressing a market that is estimated to be valued at around $3.7 billion.

"Strong consumer preference for natural inputs is expected to accelerate the transition from synthetic to natural astaxanthin," said Claude Kaplan, Chief Executive Officer of KAS. "With our ability to generate greater astaxanthin output volumes, quicker and at a reduced cost compared to light-dependent methods, this funding strongly positions KAS to respond to the rapidly expanding needs of the market."

"KAS's fermentation breakthrough, natural strain development process, and sustainable production method all have the potential to transform the natural astaxanthin market, a key input for more sustainable aquaculture practices that can drive better outcomes for people and the planet," said Larsen Mettler, Managing Director at S2G Ventures. "We are proud to be part of KAS's journey and look forward to supporting the impact they are poised to make in the market."

Existing backers of KAS include Aqua-Spark, Hatch and Cavallo Ventures.

"We continue to be impressed by the KAS team's capacity to leverage their scientific and commercial knowledge to produce a truly innovative solution for replacing synthetic with natural astaxanthin," said Lissy Smit, CEO of Aqua-Spark. 'As the aquaculture industry continues to grow at a rapid pace, we need more companies like KAS that are solving core challenges in the value chain to ensure our food system is healthier and more sustainable for consumers and the planet."

KAS will initially launch with its European-based production partner with the capacity to distribute globally. This new funding will enable KAS to exploit its ability to use standard fermentation equipment, to swiftly expand production through leveraging contract manufacturers, with the option to bring production in-house in the future. And while KAS' process is inherently more resource efficient than competitors, the company's technology also holds future potential for recycling the gas generated during fermentation to produce feedstock to be fed back into the fermentation process creating fully circular algal products.

For more information, visit HERE.

The Aquaculturists

Aker BioMarine win prestigious Norwegian Export Prize 2024

March 15, 2024 - Aker BioMarine was honoured with this year's Export Award during 'Eksportkonferansen' under the auspices of Eksfin and Innovation Norwar. Aker BioMarine convinced the jury that it is possible to achieve export success through a targeted, sustainable and innovative business strategy.

Aker BioMarine, the winner of the Export Award 2024, has proven over several years that export success can be achieved with pioneering products. The company also masters the entire value chain - from Antarctic krill fishing, research and product development to the production and sale of krill-based ingredients and products. Krill is used as both fish and animal feed. In addition, there is a growing consumer market that sources high-quality proteins from krill.

The jury's statement

"The jury is particularly impressed by the fact that 91 percent of the company's turnover comes from exports. The company's main markets are in America and Asia.

"The company has contributed to the development of a new billion dollar industry and has established itself as the world's leading exporter of a new raw material on the global market. Aker BioMarine strives to minimise bycatch by constantly developing its fishing methods."

"It's great to see a Norwegian company making an export success out of a resource from the sea that can be used for both fish feed and human nutrition. Aker BioMarine is a strong example of innovative Norwegian exports," says the Norwegian Minister of Trade and Industries, Jan Christian Vestre.

Matts Johansen, CEO of Aker BioMarine, accepted the award on behalf of the company and was delighted to receive the award:

"At Aker BioMarine we are very proud to receive the Export Award, in recognition of what we have built up since we started the company. But above all, this is an honour for our employees who dare to think outside the ordinary every day and put in the efforts required to lead an industry that our company has created.

For more information, visit HERE.

The Aquaculturists

Thursday, March 14, 2024

Ocean Harvest Technology granted second patent

March 14, 2024 - Ocean Harvest Technology (OHT) have announced a groundbreaking milestone: the granting of a patent protecting the mode of action of their seaweed blends in production animals' microbiomes.


This patent is a testament to our unwavering commitment to innovation and intellectual property protection. It safeguards their OceanFeed proprietary blend seaweed additive products, providing OHT with a significant competitive advantage in the global animal feed industry.

The patented seaweed blend offers a multitude of benefits for animals:

  • Acts as a prebiotic, favourably altering gut bacterial composition
  • Higher growth rates, increased body weight
  • Increases body weight and feed efficiency
  • Reduced morality, higher rentability

Mark Williams, CEO of OHT, remarked: "The granting of this patent is a significant milestone for us. It enables us to uniquely protect the specific prebiotic effects our product has in the microbiome of animals, ensuring you receive the highest quality and most effective solution for your animals' nutrition needs."

For more information, visit HERE.

The Aquaculturists