Innocon, a Chilean company focused on the development of R&D projects and part of Setop Group, has shown important progress during the last year in terms of the development of improvements for animal feed, as well as for pets, birds, horses as base ingredients for aquaculture nutrition.

Pablo Lagos, Head of Research and Development of the Food Area of ​​the company located in Coronel, talks about the main projects and products that he has developed together with his team, national leaders in the field.

How has research and development contributed to the improvement of food supplements for pets and production animals, such as birds and fish?

“At Innocon, we specialize in creating food supplements, meeting not only the nutritional needs of different species of animals, but also significantly improving their quality of life. Our focus is to create innovative formulas, designed to promote digestive health, strengthen the immune system, and contribute to the overall well-being of animals. This, according to the specific requirements of our clients, as well as taking a step further, and developing high-tech nutritional products.”

What have been the main advances and products developed in animal nutrition during the last year?

“Among the outstanding projects of Innocon’s Food Research and Development area, which cover various prototypes for the Chilean food industry, is a supplement for pets, a series of nutritional trials for laying birds, as well as a notable supplement for equines, designed specifically for high performance horses. Also, the latest breakthrough in our sustainable fats project for aquaculture with successful trials. This is a prototype that provides an alternative to cover fat, being a more sustainable option for the aquaculture industry; something truly revolutionary for the salmon companies and that we will have as a special focus of development during 2024.”

 Can you share more details about the creation of the sustainable fat that could eventually be an alternative to coating fat as a fish feed ingredient?

“A few weeks ago, we finished the execution of the FIC-R project, developing a revolutionary solution for aquaculture with the creation of an oily product that offers ideal rheological characteristics to retain fats in fish feed, being more digestible than cover fat and more respectful for the environment. Our focus on contributing to the development of ingredients and functional foods has led to the creation of a solution that uses the interesterification process which has been made available to the local aquaculture industry. More than an alternative, it is a response to the need to find sustainable and efficient sources for the salmon industry.”

What makes this sustainable fat compound different from what is already available on the market?

“In the tests carried out, we have shown that this product surpasses traditional cover fat in digestibility, while maintaining fat retention functionality. This advancement not only boosts Innocon’s competitiveness in the market, but also raises the standards of sustainability and efficiency in the aquaculture industry. We are excited by the results obtained so far and remain committed to research and development of solutions that positively boost the Chilean aquaculture industry and promote more sustainable practices for the planet.”

How important is innovation and sustainability for the development of new advances within animal feeding?

“At Innocon, we are constantly committed to seeking proposals and developments that have a strong focus on sustainability. This commitment is reflected not only in our own projects, but also in our collaboration with other companies and clients that propose new challenges to us. Our team in the Research and Development area of ​​ Innocon’s Food Area is exploring possibilities and always working on new projects that stand out for providing solutions to problems of the animal food production industries: whether to improve the performance of high-performance horses, improve the quality of life of our pets, such as providing sustainable alternatives to ingredients for aquaculture feed extrudates. Innovation is an integral part of our philosophy, and we will continue leading research and development in the national food industry.”