Full Circle Biotechnology to supply HydroNeo with insect-based shrimp feed additive

Through a new partnership, Bangkok, Thailand-based nutrient recapture startup Full Circle Biotechnology will supply Thai aquaculture technology firm HydroNeo with its insect-based shrimp feed additive.

Full Circle is a Bangkok-based nutrient recapture startup, that has created an insect-based animal feed. Their patent-pending technology allows agricultural waste to be upcycled through its unique use of black soldier flies and microbes.

HydroNeo has created an Internet of Things-backed system to monitor water quality at shrimp farms in real-time, providing data via a smartphone app. It also provides its hundreds of shrimp-farming clients access to third-party products aimed at increasing their productivity and profitability, while reducing their environmental impact.

Full Circle offers a shrimp feed made through the use of solid-state fermentation on black soldier fly larvae. It claims its product generates higher protein yields in shrimp while producing less wastewater using less energy. It claims its feed requires 600 times less carbon to produce than traditional shrimp feed made from marine products.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with HydroNeo to provide them with our unique aquafeed,” Full Circle Founder and Managing Director Felix Collins said in a press release. “This partnership not only generates a new revenue stream for both but enables each company to further innovate, as well as share industry insights and technical knowledge, leading us closer to our goal of reshaping the industry for the better.” 

Collins said his company’s product can help drastically reduce the carbon footprint of the global shrimp-farming industry.

“Every year, businesses spend hundreds of billions of dollars to transport and dispose of nutrient-rich food waste, generating an estimated 380 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually. By combining food waste with black soldier fly larvae and microbes, Full Circle Biotechnology has developed a waste-to-protein production system that offers animal farmers the chance to cut both emissions and cost, without compromising on quality,” he said.  

HydroNeo Founder and Managing Director Fabian Reusch said his firm’s technology can increase productivity by 13 percent and reduce energy consumption by 30 percent.

“Shrimp can be among the healthiest and most sustainable protein sources,” Reusch said. “Being a farm technology provider with strong and trustful relationships with our customers, we are excited to introduce Full Circle Biotechnology’s innovative and sustainable feed products to them. Together, we can further increase the farm’s profitability while at the same time also animal welfare and sustainability.” 

Photo courtesy of Full Circle Biotechnology