Global nutrition company, Alltech, announced it has acquired Coppens International, a Netherlands-based, international aquatic feed company from Dutch private equity firm, Nordian Capital Partners for an undisclosed amount.

Coppens focuses on producing a range of high quality aquatic nutrition solutions for temperate and tropical marine species, and also produces bait feeds as well as ornamental and specialty feeds, which it distributes through its network covering 60 countries. The deal will also enhance Coppens’ product portfolio with the integration of Alltech’s microalgae and protein platforms.

“Coppens International has many qualities we admire in a fish nutrition business: a robust, quality production system, dynamic routes to market and a pioneering spirit for research and development, which, all combined, present us with numerous synergies,” said Dr. Pearse Lyons, founder and president of Alltech in a company statement. “With a combination of Alltech’s primacy in science and Coppens International’s strong distribution network, we have a winning formula for moving aquatic nutrition forward to greater feed efficiency.”

As the aquaculture sector is experiencing an average annual growth rate of 10%, it is critical that producers have access to improved nutrition to support sustainable growth along the entire supply chain.

In 2011 global farmed fish production surpassed beef production for the first time in history, and in 2012 aquaculture production reached a record 66 million tons compared with global beef production of 63 million tons according to the think tank, Earth-Policy.org. On the back of this kind of growth, Alltech has made 15 acquisitions since 2011 and has more than tripled its sales over the past four years to reach revenues exceeding US$2 billion.

“Today’s aquaculture sector requires focus, dedication and an aggressive approach to continuous improvement of nutritional technology,” said Patrick Charlton, vice president at Alltech and newly appointed CEO of Coppens International. “Moving forward together with Coppens International provides a wealth of opportunity and growth, which will benefit aquatic producers across the globe.”