BioMar snaps up shrimp feeding tech business

Multinational aquafeed group BioMar is buying AQ1 Systems, a feeding technology specialist focused on the shrimp farming sector.

AQ1 is a leading supplier of sensor-based feeding control technology for aquaculture, specialising in acoustic and optical sensing technology. Its systems provide feeding control and sizing solutions, to improve growth, reduce waste and achieve better feed conversion ratios. The company is headquartered in Derwent Park, Tasmania.

“We have a strong belief that we can bring together knowledge and tech innovation, offering new advantageous solutions to our customers improving feeding efficiency and sustainability. By optimizing feeding practises, combining intelligent feeding systems, comprehensive analytics, advanced feed solutions, and effective farm management, we can take yet another step in the right direction”, explains Carlos Diaz, CEO BioMar Group, and continues:

“During the last years, we have seen, that the use of intelligent feeders in shrimp farming can optimize feed efficiency, production yield, and sustainability, when introduced along data-driven farm management. Adding BioMar feed solutions and technical knowledge to the equation opens new opportunities”.

BioMar said AQ1 will continue as an independent company with its’ own commercial set-up, business systems, and distribution channels, servicing both BioMar customers and customers with other feed providers. Existing AQ1 customers will not experience any changes to their service and agreements with AQ1.

Ross Dodd, Managing Director and founder of AQ1, who will stay in the role, said: “We very much look forward to the collaboration with BioMar and their parent company Schouw & Co who have significant investments in electronic and mechanical engineering. We believe this will enable us to develop new markets and create value from an extensive combined knowledge base and global reach.”

The move reflects BioMar’s increasing interest in the shrimp industry. In March last year, the group took a majority stake in a leading Vietnamese shrimp feed producer, Viet-Uc.

Carlos Diaz, BioMar CEO