New Orleans: The F3 – Future of Fish Feed has announced the winners of the F3 Krill Replacement Challenge, awarding BRF Ingredients from Brazil and Symrise from Germany for their innovative solutions aimed at replacing krill in aquaculture feed.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, these companies jointly received the top prize for their pioneering products, which are designed to transform aquaculture feed production and promote sustainable practices within the industry. Kevin Fitzsimmons, Chair of the F3 – Future of Fish Feed Initiative, highlighted that the challenge showcased multiple viable solutions to replace krill, contributing to ocean protection while bolstering aquaculture growth.
The companies shared the US$100,000 grand prize, which was awarded during the Opening Plenary Session at the World Aquaculture Society’s Aquaculture 2025 Meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana. Symrise was recognized for its protein hydrolysate ingredients, while BRF Ingredients was acknowledged for its chicken hydrolysate, as per a statement.
Their products were selected as the leading krill replacements from 10 finalists, tested during a 12-week trial on Atlantic salmon, where they demonstrated superior growth, feed consumption, and survival rates. All products in the trial were verified as free from marine animal ingredients.
The competition also gave honorable mentions to three companies for their promising krill replacements: Calysseo from China, Orffa Additives from the Netherlands, and Phileo by Lesaffre from France.
The F3 Krill Replacement Challenge is part of a larger initiative to develop sustainable aquaculture feed ingredients, aiming to reduce the environmental impacts associated with wild-caught marine ingredients.
As global demand for sustainable feed alternatives rises, the F3 Initiative stresses the importance of reducing reliance on krill and safeguarding ocean biodiversity, addressing environmental challenges such as overfishing, climate change, and industrial harvesting.
The F3 – Future of Fish Feed is planning to announce its next competition, which will focus on whole fish farm production, in the summer of 2025.