Alltech Coppens cuts feed carbon footprint by 13.2% in latest sustainability report

NETHERLANDS – Aquafeed producer Alltech Coppens reduced the carbon footprint of its fish feed by 13.2% between 2021 and 2025 while increasing its use of sustainably sourced marine ingredients, according to the company’s newly released 2025 Sustainability Report.

The report highlights progress across raw material sourcing, emissions reduction, waste management and research as the company works toward more sustainable aquaculture production systems.

In 2025, Alltech Coppens recorded a carbon footprint of 0.970 kilograms of CO₂ equivalent (CO₂e) per kilogram of fish feed, down from 1.118 kilograms of CO₂e per kilogram of feed in its 2021 base year.

“At Alltech Coppens, we feel a strong responsibility toward sustainability,” said Ronald Faber, CEO of Alltech Coppens and global aqua lead for Alltech.

“Our mission remains clear: to produce high-quality fish feeds responsibly, supporting safe and reliable food production while conserving natural resources. 

In 2025, this responsibility became more relevant than ever, and we remain fully committed to driving progress toward a more environmentally sustainable and ethical world,” he said.

Sustainable ingredients remain central to aquafeed strategy

The report showed that 71.7% of the company’s marine ingredients originated from fish processing trimmings in 2025, while all marine raw materials were sourced either from trimmings or from fisheries certified under sustainability standards and fishery improvement projects (FIPs).

Even excluding fishery improvement projects, 100% of the fish oil and 85.9% of the fishmeal used in Alltech Coppens products came from trimmings or certified sources.

The company also reported that 92.3% of its raw materials were sourced within Europe, with 71% originating from Germany and neighbouring countries, thereby reducing transportation requirements and strengthening regional supply chains.

Sourcing sustainable alternatives to traditional marine ingredients has become a major focus across the aquaculture sector as feed manufacturers seek to reduce pressure on wild fish stocks while supporting continued growth in global aquaculture production.

Alltech Coppens said it continues to invest in innovations such as its Aquate™ premixes and the use of circular raw materials as part of efforts to improve feed sustainability.

Waste and emissions reductions continue

The company reported further improvements in waste management, reducing residual waste to 35,970 kilograms in 2025, representing a 58.8% decrease from its 2021 baseline and a 5% reduction compared with 2024.

Feed residues were reduced by more than 23% compared with the previous year.

Scope 3 emissions linked to raw material sourcing accounted for the largest share of the company’s carbon footprint, at 94.1%. 

Scope 1 emissions contributed 5.9%, while Scope 2 emissions were reported at zero due to the use of renewable electricity.

Alltech Coppens stated that 100% of its electricity consumption is sourced from renewable energy and verified through certificates of origin.

The company also highlighted progress at its research operations. 

Since beginning measurements in 2018, carbon emissions at the Alltech Coppens Aqua Centre have fallen from 220 kilograms of CO₂ per trial day to 3.98 kilograms in 2025, representing a 98.2% reduction.

“Sustainability is not a box we tick; it’s a mindset that guides everything we do,” said Guido Crolla, manager of procurement, sustainability and IT at Alltech Coppens.

Looking ahead, the company said it will continue to advance research, refine raw material sourcing strategies, and develop sustainable feed solutions as it works toward its 2030 sustainability goals.

As part of the global animal nutrition and health company Alltech, Alltech Coppens aligns its sustainability strategy with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, with a particular focus on Life Below Water, Climate Action, and Quality Education.

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