Alltech Coppens joins the European Seaweed Association
2025-12-04
From niche producer to global supplier
Alltech Coppens has many years of experience in manufacturing fish feed. What began as contract feed producing at Coppens Diervoeding (animal feed) in Helmond has grown into a dedicated business with its own fish feed production facility in Germany. Since then, the company has developed into an international player serving both the professional aquaculture sector and hobby market, supplying feed for species ranging from trout and catfish to sturgeon, koi and angling fish.
Today, their products are sold in more than 60 countries across almost all continents. Around ninety percent of their volume is destined for professional aquaculture, while the remaining ten percent enters garden centres, aquarium shops and angling retailers, also under private label. This diversity of markets and customers makes the work dynamic and varied.
In some regions or with certain customers, cost is the main driver, while in others, animal welfare, performance or brand positioning takes center stage - and in some markets, sustainability is even the leading focus. Even when sustainability is less important for certain customers or regions, we always incorporate it into our approach as a company.
Sustainability at the heart of the strategy
The company distinguishes itself through its commitment to quality and sustainable innovation. Their feeds have a significantly lower carbon footprint than many competitors' products and are becoming more and more circular in their formulation. These include poultry by-products, waste streams from the wider food industry, and plant-based alternatives.
The company is ASC-certified, holds Global Gap certification and EcoVadis Platinum rating, which underlines the fact that sustainability is fully embedded in its operations. Algae and algae oil play a role in certain high-end feed types, although large-scale use is still limited by cost. When it comes to industry-level feeds, the challenge lies in balancing price and function, particularly when comparing seaweed-based ingredients with conventional proteins that are cheaper.
Algae and seaweed within Alltech Coppens’ feed development
Although large scale use of North Sea seaweed is not yet commercially feasible for aquaculture feed, Alltech Coppens has long worked with algae\-based ingredients in various formulations. Their parent company, Alltech, previously operated a dedicated algae fermentation facility that produced algae oil, and the company continues to apply microalgae such as spirulina and chlorella in selected high performance and niche feeds. These ingredients offer valuable nutrients and functional properties, though their broader application in mainstream aquaculture feed remains limited by cost and availability.
To explore future use cases Alltech Coppens conducts extensive testing in its research centre in Leende. The facility includes a fully equipped series of water tanks that allow the team to mimic real world farming conditions with precise control over temperature, water quality, salinity and feeding regimes. This enables them to test different inclusion levels of algae or seaweed, assess their effect on fish health and performance. Through this work the company aims to identify where algae and seaweed can deliver genuine added value, both from a nutritional and from a sustainability perspective.
A sector in motion: hybrid foods and new opportunities
Throughout the interview, it became clear that Alltech Coppens is considering broader trends in food production. Hybrid meat and fish, which combine animal proteins with plant-based or alternative sources, could indirectly affect the demand for aquaculture products. This would also require flexibility within the feed sector. The company is therefore exploring ways to adapt and innovate, such as developing new feed concepts, collaborating with land-based seaweed growers, and repurposing former livestock farms as indoor aquaculture or seaweed facilities. By developing feeds with alternative ingredients such as seaweed, insect meal, or by-products, Alltech Coppens can reduce the environmental impact of aquaculture. This makes farmed fish more appealing to environmentally conscious consumers.
Events such as North Sea Seaweed 2025 help to accelerate these discussions. As Guido explained, meeting people again after two years, each having made progress in their own field, brings new energy and ideas.
Why Alltech Coppens joined the European Seaweed Association
For Alltech Coppens, membership is a strategic choice. They seek knowledge, perspective and new connections not only within aquaculture, but also across the wider production landscape. They believe that every production process has its own expertise and that there is much to learn from different industries.
“We have extensive knowledge of fish nutrition, and our global network provides deep insight into many products, processes and markets. We hope to explore with other members how we can build something meaningful for the future.”
Reach out to @AlltechCoppens.
