Will replace soy with algae in chicken feed – news Sørlandet – Local news, TV and radio

In small, closed reactors at one of Nibio’s departments on Ås, different types of microalgae grow. The aim is to find the algae that are optimal for use in animal feed. Among other things, with regard to the content of proteins, amino acids and fatty acids. A porridge of algae, produced in the photobio-reactor at Ås. Photo: E. Fløistad / NIBIO It can mean a lot for growth, but not least for the health of the animals. This time it concerns chicken. – We are in an early phase, but we hope to be able to tailor a composition of algae that is good for the health of the chicken and at the same time good for us humans, says director of sustainable innovation at Norsk Kylling, Hilde Talseth. Economic boost Norsk Kylling, which is wholly owned by Rema Industrier AS, has for several years tried to replace soy with other protein sources. – Almost 80 per cent of our climate footprint comes from chicken feed. Our goal is to find new protein sources that can go directly into the chicken feed, and which will not necessarily be used as food for humans, says Talseth. A few years ago, this type of production would not have been economically sound. Now the picture has changed, with increased costs internationally, both for transport and goods. Chicks a few days after hatching. Photo: Pål Tegnander / news Large land-based facilities Stig Borgvang is head of research at the Norwegian Institute for Bioeconomy (NIBIO). – We want to make the algae growth that takes place in the small tanks also work in large facilities, says Borgvang. – In the long term, the goal is to be able to produce algae on a large scale in Norway, in land-based facilities. Algae produce oxygen, but also need CO₂ and light to grow. Therefore, the research takes place in closed facilities. One goal in the future is to be able to capture CO2 emissions from industry for use in this production. The research is supported by the Research Council of Norway and the project is led by Svein-Egil Hoberg, general manager of the company Algæ. Managing director of Algæ & AlgeNatura, Svein-Egil Hoberg, has high hopes for success in the production of microalgae in Norway. Photo: Privat Sees great opportunities Hoberg sees great opportunities within the production of microalgae in Norway. – Algae is a very exciting alternative to soy in animal feed. Not only as a source of proteins, but also vitamins, fatty acids and amino acids, he says. The company he leads has also established AlgeNatura, which is working to establish a separate industry based on algae growth through CO2 capture. – Our goal is to collect CO₂ from emission sources and use it in a value chain that produces algae mass, says Hoberg. And when the chicken feed is in place, it’s a short trip to another large industry for farming, Hoberg believes; the salmon industry. Photobio-reactor at NIBIO on Ås. The green is microalgae. Photo: Erling Fløistad / Erling Fløistad



ttn-69