Cargill Innovation Centre (CIC) in Dirdal, Norway, has completed a significant expansion, increasing one of its two research sites from four to 12 pens at a cost of NOK 15 million (£1.2m). The other sea site facility already boasts 12 pens. Additionally, the total biomass ceiling has been approved for an increase from 910 tonnes to 1,400 tonnes, providing greater flexibility for feed and feeding trials.
While the overall allowed biomass for both sites remain at 1,560 tons, the expansion allows for more advanced nutritional trials at nearly full scale. Terje Utne, responsible for Cargill Aqua Nutrition’s field trials in Norway, explained that this expansion enables simultaneous trials with up to four different feeds, enhancing experimental design and providing more valuable scientific outcomes compared to traditional trials.
The improved facility allows for exploration of extremes in experimental designs, providing a better starting point for adapting feeds to variations in raw material prices, availability, salmon prices, customer requests, and more. Kjetil Frafjord, responsible for day-to-day operations at the site, expressed satisfaction with the expansion’s seamless execution, emphasizing the absence of injuries or accidents throughout the development project.
Cargill’s R&D operations director, Tor Andre Giskegjerde, highlighted the importance of the innovation center in Dirdal, positioning Cargill to offer top-tier advice and fish feed. The expansion aligns with the growing emphasis on sustainable feed in Norway, with the government elevating it to a national societal mission. Cargill is poised to contribute to this mission by advancing its research and development efforts for new and more sustainable aquaculture feed.