National Prawn Company, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and BASF, Ludwighafen, Germany, have signed a collaboration agreement focusing on algae technology.
 
National Prawn Company’s focus is designing, building and operating a large system of man-made-lakes for the production of high-quality prawns. Furthermore NPC is developing research programs on new algae species and sponsorships aquaculture projects around the world.
 
BASF develops technologies relevant for growing and harvesting algae in openlake-systems and in processing the algae biomass into products used in beverages and dietary supplements.
 
Yet another reason for this strategic partnership is that the Red Sea desert coast line of Western Saudi Arabia, where NPC is located, meets the environmental needs of sea-water algae and promotes the growth of these organisms.
 
“With our portfolio in the market segments of food, beverages and dietary supplements we are able to meet and anticipate future needs. At the same time we are constantly trying to enhance nutrition quality and promote technological innovations,” said Michael Ceranski, senior vice president of BASF`s Human Nutrition business unit. “Within these ambitious goals new partnerships like the collaboration with National Prawn Company are fundamental for us: NPC gives us access to more biomass from algae and to use and leverage the all-year non-changing climate conditions in Saudi-Arabia.”
 
Eng. Ahmad Rasheed Al-Ballaa, managing director of National Prawn Company, pointed out, “We are very pleased and proud that National Prawn Company and BASF have succeeded in establishing this cooperation, bringing together the best of both companies to create a unique aquaculture project.”