Innovation at the heart of Lallemand’s aquaculture strategy

Aquaculture is one of the fastest-growing food production sectors in the world, playing a vital role in ensuring global food security and protein sources. As the industry evolves, it faces increasingly complex challenges from disease management and concerns over the environmental impacts of livestock production to feed efficiency and profitability. In this dynamic context, innovation is not just a competitive advantage; it is a necessity at every stage of the production cycle—from microbial research and farm-level application to industrial-scale implementation.

At Lallemand Animal Nutrition, innovation is deeply embedded in our DNA. Our commitment to microbial expertise, scientific rigor, and close collaboration with the field has positioned us as a trusted partner in aquaculture. As the sector grows so does LAN, driven by a clear vision: to co-create the microbial solutions of tomorrow with our partners leveraging cutting-edge science, strategic partnerships, and a robust R&D ecosystem. This article explores how LAN’s innovation strategy is shaping the future of aquaculture.

Understand the field: Staying Connected to Real Farm Challenges

At Lallemand Animal Nutrition, our innovation strategy begins with a deep understanding of the field problematics. By staying close to aquaculture producers and maintaining a strong presence on farms, we gain first-hand insight into the day-to-day challenges faced by fish and shrimp producers. This proximity allows us to identify emerging needs early and develop our solutions for nutrition and bioremediation accordingly. This continuous dialogue with the field is the foundation of our customer-centric approach to innovation. Every year, Lallemand Animal Nutrition participates to major international aquaculture congresses, that are great opportunities to stay informed about the latest scientific developments and market trends.

We also rely on a global team of dedicated aquaculture experts, specialized in fish and shrimp, acting across Europe, Asia, and Latin America, supporting our business partners, always connected to the field and its challenges. Their global perspective is complemented by our local expert teams, who work closely with producers, ensuring a continuous connection to farm-level conditions. Together, they contribute to the development and deployment of innovative, practical, and relevant microbial solutions.

Designing solutions

Our innovation journey is anchored in a strong internal R&D foundation. Lallemand has a R&D team of scientists and technical experts dedicated to aquaculture, working daily to transform field insights into actionable research questions and promising solutions. Their work is supported by scientific experts and advanced technologies including our proprietary microbial library and 5 Centers of Excellence involved in aquaculture. These resources enable us to explore microbial diversity and deepen our scientific understanding at a more fundamental and mechanistic level. Over the past years, our R&D team has produced more than 20 meaningful scientific outcomes. Some remain internal to support innovation and product development, while others have been published or presented to the wider aquaculture community.

But we don’t innovate alone. To expand our reach and accelerate discovery, we collaborate with a global network of partners, start-ups, universities, and research institutions who bring specialist knowledge and know-how, complementary expertise and fresh perspectives to help us guide precision innovation. These partnerships allow us to explore new technologies, validate concepts, and co-develop solutions that are both scientifically robust and practically relevant for the aquaculture industry.

Validated by science

At Lallemand Animal Nutrition, scientific validation is a cornerstone of our innovation process. Once a concept is identified and explored, it undergoes rigorous in vivo testing to ensure its efficacy, safety, and practical relevance. Our in-house applied R&D team includes also specialists in application and process development, who work hand-in-hand to bring robust, science-backed solutions to life.

We currently have 2 full-time experts fully dedicated to aquaculture trials, overseeing a portfolio of R&D projects that span areas such as gut health, immune modulation, performance optimization, and microbial management. These trials are designed to replicate real-world conditions, ensuring that our innovations deliver measurable value to producers before reaching the market.

In the past five years, we’ve run over 30 trials, on both fish and shrimp, across farms in multiple countries to reflect the field conditions faced by producers.

Scaling up innovation

Once a solution has been scientifically validated, it must be translated into a reliable, scalable product. This transition from development to industrial production is managed with the same scientific rigor that drives our R&D. Our teams work closely across departments to ensure that each innovation is transferred seamlessly into manufacturing, preserving its integrity and performance in our plants dedicated to production all over the world.

We leverage cutting-edge technologies and advanced bioprocessing methods to guarantee consistent product quality at every stage of production. These tools not only support the scalability of our solutions but also ensure that each batch meets the highest standards of safety, stability, and efficacy. This industrial excellence is what allows us to deliver innovation that is not only effective in the lab but also trusted in the field.

Deliver to the market

At Lallemand Animal Nutrition, innovation only matters if it translates into real, measurable value for our customers. That’s why every solution we bring to the market is designed to address a specific challenge identified in the field, combining scientific robustness with practical relevance. Our diverse product portfolio, built on multiple proprietary technologies, reflects this commitment to targeted, high-impact innovation.

For fish, we offer a complete range of products designed to support key areas such as mucosal barriers, performance and formulation, transfer and recovery, immunity, metabolic health and hatchery across various production systems. For shrimp, our portfolio also includes innovative solutions to address challenges like gut microbial management, stress resilience, and water quality with bioremediation.

We have successfully co-developed solutions with several partners, adapting our approach to their unique production environments and goals. These collaborations have resulted in products that not only improve animal health and performance but also enhance profitability and operational efficiency. By aligning innovation with customer needs, we ensure that our solutions deliver value for both our partners and our business.

At Lallemand Animal Nutrition, innovation is more than a process. Our structured cycle, from field insight to adapted solution, ensures that every product we develop is grounded in real-world needs and fueled by scientific excellence. This approach has allowed us to deliver impactful, high-quality solutions that support the growth and performance of aquaculture worldwide.

As we continue to explore new challenges and opportunities, we are always looking to collaborate with partners who share our vision for a more resilient and efficient aquaculture sector. If you’re facing a specific challenge or simply want to explore how innovation can support your goals, we invite you to connect with us. Let’s shape the future of aquaculture together.