Nestlé partners with UK, New Zealand researchers on aquaculture sustainability
The collaborations aim to assess the environmental potential of integrated aquaculture systems and their role in sustainable food production.
WORLD – Nestlé’s Institute of Agricultural Sciences has begun new research partnerships in the United Kingdom and New Zealand to explore sustainable aquaculture models that could reduce environmental impact and support future food production.
The collaborations focus on developing scientific insights into how multi-species aquaculture can contribute to cleaner, low-carbon food systems and the production of renewable materials such as algal-based bioplastics.
One of the key areas under study is integrated multi-trophic aquaculture, a method that cultivates different aquatic species from various levels of the food chain within a shared environment.
In this approach, the waste generated by one species is used as nutrients for another, creating a natural recycling system that can improve water quality and ecosystem balance.
According to Nestlé, this diversification of aquatic species not only promotes biodiversity but also provides farmers with a more stable and resilient source of income.
Collaboration in New Zealand
In New Zealand, Nestlé is working with the Cawthron Institute, the country’s largest independent science organisation, to analyse the interactions between seaweed and shellfish species under different marine conditions.
The project, supported by marine scientists and doctoral researchers, seeks to determine the most effective combinations of species and ocean settings to enhance both productivity and ecological benefits.
Researchers hope that findings from this collaboration will expand knowledge of how local aquaculture systems can adapt to environmental changes while supporting sustainable production.
Offshore research in the United Kingdom
Meanwhile, in the UK, Nestlé has partnered with start-up Algapelago to conduct trials at an offshore aquaculture site located off the north coast of Devon.
The site currently cultivates seaweed and mussels together, providing an opportunity to collect field data under real-world marine conditions.
Scientists are using a mix of advanced monitoring technology and traditional sampling techniques to assess biodiversity, water quality, and productivity levels within the farm.
This research is further supported by marine experts and PhD students from the University of Portsmouth, contributing to a wider effort to understand how integrated systems can function effectively in offshore environments.
Jeroen Dijkman, head of the Nestlé Institute of Agricultural Sciences, said the research is intended to generate science-based evidence on how integrated aquaculture can support sustainable food production while contributing to ocean ecosystem recovery and carbon capture.
The company added that it continues to invest in similar science-driven projects worldwide, such as a 2023 agreement with Chile’s Pontificia Universidad Católica to investigate marine plants and alternative protein sources across Latin America.
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