“In 2010, we decided to collaborate with Bühler. Bühler is the expert technology provider when it comes to fish feed production. For us, it was clear that we could come a long way with their expertise in extrusion,” says Goto-san.
It is now evening. Goto-san has joined his colleagues for dinner, including Urs Wüst, Key Account Manager and fish-feed expert at Bühler. Having lived in Japan for 11 years, he is familiar with the culture and customs, and now provides Nissui with support on behalf of Bühler.
What else is on the table other than sushi – a fitting meal after a day at sea. Of course, bluefin tuna is also a must, sliced as sashimi or formed into a nigiri with wasabi and rice. What’s special about all this? The tuna served comes from one of the Kaneko fish farms. Fed exclusively with compound feed, produced on Bühler extruders.
Shortly after establishing contact in 2010, Goto-san and his team traveled to Switzerland to work with Bühler on the tuna feed production process. The main difficulties lie in the shape, composition, and different consistencies required for the feed. The shell of the pellets has to be both solid and soft, yet pliable, while the inside has to be soft, but not liquid. This recipe calls for the Swiss experts.
The lower the portion of fishmeal, the more sustainable and cost-effective the feed. “It contains all the ingredients that tuna need to grow: fishmeal, fish oil, vitamins, and minerals. Our feed enables healthy farming of tuna, without using antibiotics,” says Goto-san. After two years of intense collaboration, the pilot phase can begin. In 2012, Bühler installed three extruder lines in the Farm Choice production hall farm in Karatsu.