the interview Benedict Standen, Head of Aqua Marketing, dsm-firmenich, Austria
Benedict Standen is the Head of Aqua Marketing at dsm-firmenich. He obtained his PhD from University of Plymouth in 2015. My primary role as Head, Aquaculture Marketing Global, is to engage with internal and external stakeholders to define and drive the global aqua strategy, support product and pipeline management and coordinate marketing efforts to position DSM as the partner of choice for sustainable aquaculture solutions.
You have a rich career in the industry. What initially lead you to this field?
Growing up in Southeast England by the sea, I have had a deep admiration and respect for the ocean from an early age. This led me to study marine biology at university where I was introduced to the aquaculture industry. I saw this sector as a growth opportunity to better utilise our marine living resources, whilst tackling key global challenges such as overfishing and food security.
Sustainability is a pressing concern in aquaculture. Could you share some insights into dsm-firmenich’s efforts to promote sustainable practices in aquaculture and the impact it has had on the industry?
Feed in aquaculture contributes up to 80 percent of the footprint of animal production and is our area of focus at dsmfirmenich. Our feed enzyme portfolio allows users to extract more from less, improving feed digestibility and contributing to the reduction of effluents. In addition, and with some minor dietary reformulation, our own experience demonstrates that feed enzymes can reduce feed cost by 8-12 USD/ tonne, a very welcome benefit for our customers in the current ‘global polycrisis’! In addition, dsm-firmenich has developed new, industry leading, single-cell proteins that offer producers a net-zero carbon protein whilst diversifying the raw material basket. As well as being a protein powerhouse, they are decoupled from traditional agriculture inputs e.g., fertilizer, land use, etc. To improve your environmental footprint, you need to measure it! Sustell® enables aquafeed manufacturers and farmers to measure their full life cycle assessment and evaluate footprint reduction strategies. Together with our customers, we have developed specific Sustell® modules for salmon and shrimp, with more to come.
What advice do you have for individuals aspiring to enter or advance their careers in aquaculture management, based on your own experiences and insights?
Do it! The aquaculture industry is remarkably diverse and exciting. My key advice for those wanting to enter or advance their careers in aquaculture management is to stay open-minded, flexible, and open to new challenges and experiences. We recently held a student workshop in our Austrian research centre, and I was surprised that so many students had ambitions to study for a PhD. There is no doubt that this qualification can open some doors (as it did for me), but I would also make the case that academic titles aren’t everything – practical experience, positive personality and a hunger to learn are equally important.
In terms of global aquaculture, are there any specific regions or countries that you believe hold significant potential for growth, and what factors contribute to their promise as emerging aquaculture hubs?
In recent years, shrimp in Ecuador has consistently shown double-digit growth. Conversely, shrimp volumes in Southeast Asia remain largely flat or even shrinking. To overcome slowing momentum, the industry needs to address the current health and disease issues to achieve a consistent harvest. According to Rabobank, salmon volumes are forecast to grow five percent in 2024, though the Norwegian tax changes may bring uncertainty and encourage growth in other regions (e.g., Iceland, Faroes) and production systems (e.g., RAS).
Consumer preferences are changing towards alternative protein sources. How can the aquaculture sector, in collaboration with companies like dsmfirmenich, contribute to meeting the growing demand for sustainable and protein-rich seafood?
Aquaculture is already well-positioned to produce sustainable, affordable and healthy protein. dsm-firmenich combines the essential, desirable and sustainable to support the industry in meeting growing demand. Food safety and nutrition are essential. Here we are working across the value chain to produce nutritious seafood whilst reducing our reliance on antibiotics and preventing feed contamination. In this way, the risk of antimicrobial residues and mycotoxins entering the food chain is vastly reduced. Health benefits of seafood go beyond protein alone, so by working with feed manufacturers we can optimise other important aspects in the diet, such as EPA/ DHA and vitamins D and E, improving the nutritional value of the final product. Fillet quality, taste & colour contribute to end-product desirability. Consumers eat with their eyes first, so by improving the physical appearance of seafood can help drive demand. Carotenoids are responsible for flesh pigmentation in salmon and shrimp, ensuring precise and consistent coloration. Sustainable production ensures that we can fulfil the nutritional needs of a growing population, within the planetary boundaries.
Where do you think the industry will be in 50 years?
I hope the industry continues to develop for the good of people, climate and nature. Sustainability and transparency will be a pre-requisite, not a ‘nice to have’. The need to provide enough animal protein for a growing population, while reducing the environmental costs of farming will require smart science and innovative solutions. The sector will need to increase production efficiencies, in part, through intensification and technification. Automation will also be key in the transformation of the industry, and it is likely to become more prominent as technology rapidly evolves, streamlining processes across the food supply chain. Feed formulations will also continue to evolve, specifically reducing our reliance on marine resources and with a focus on more sustainable and local raw materials. I believe, we will see continued investment and true scalability of novel ingredients, allowing them to become more cost competitive and widely adopted.
Aquaculture is the fastest growing animal protein sector. It is a diverse industry with opportunities for growth across various species and geographies. 64 | November 2023 - International Aquafeed