Corbion expands team on success of AlgaPrime DHA sales

Corbion has expanded its management team as it successfully expands sales of its alternative aquafeed ingredient AlgaPrime DHA.

The Gorinchem, The Netherlands-based firm, which is a global market leader in lactic acid and its derivatives, and a leading supplier of emulsifiers, functional enzyme blends, minerals, vitamins, and algae ingredients, had sales of EUR 976.4 million (USD 1.1 billion) in 2019. Corbion acquired TerraVia, the maker of algae-based fish feed AlgaPrime, in 2017.

Among its three new hires are Ruud Peerbooms as president of algae ingredients, Geir Ivar Lanes as senior business development manager, and Paula Arriagada Strodthoff as senior business development manager.

“The expanded team will continue to lead business development and innovation with our customers and farmers internationally,” Corbion said in a press release. “With the proven success of AlgaPrime DHA's adoption in the salmon industry, the new team will continue to drive commercialization of omega-3 ingredients in the shrimp, marine fish, pet and livestock markets.”

In his new role, which also includes a position on Corbion’s executive team, Peerbooms will drive strategic initiatives to expand Corbion's algae business, and will oversee the company's partnerships for the development of algae ingredients. Peerbooms joined Corbion in 2014 as senior vice president of food and serves as chairman of the Ingredients for Food Innovators (IFFI), a Dutch business network of food ingredient producers that focuses on the development of healthy, sustainable, and affordable foods.

Geir Ivar Lanes will lead the application of Corbion's AlgaPrime DHA ingredient in salmonid feed, an initiative that picked up steam last year with the company’s securing of a contract to sell AlgaPrime DHA to the Salmon Group, which represents 44 fish farmers collectively producing 12 percent of the total salmon raised in Norway. Previously, Lanes worked for the past 21 years as managing director of Havbrukskontroll AS, a consultancy for aquaculture farmers and suppliers on broodstock, smolts, enclosed systems, and sea cage production.

Paula Arriagada Strodthoff will expand the company’s work with salmon farmers and feed companies in Chile. Paula was formerly head of nutrition and technology for EWOS Chile, where she was responsible for developing field trials and nutritional solutions for salmonids.

"We're thrilled to have Ruud, Geir Ivar, and Paula on our team as they are committed to driving change within the sustainable aquaculture industry and beyond," Corbion CEO Olivier Rigaud said. "Their expertise and commitment to innovation will undoubtedly expand AlgaPrime DHA's footprint within key aquaculture markets and beyond into additional markets."

Photo courtesy of Corbion