A SCOTS biotech firm has appointed global food expert David Macnair to its board as it moves towards commercialisation after doubling in size in the past year.
MiAlgae said it was embarking on international expansion as it moves closer to eliminating wild caught fish as the prime source of Omega-3 in pet food as owners demand more scrutiny over what goes into it and how it is made.
The Edinburgh-based firm creates eco-friendly nutrient rich animal and fish feed by repurposing “waste” co-products from the whisky distillation process.
Macnair, a scientist by training, brings 40 years of food industry innovation and has a diverse background and experience holding science and business leadership positions roles at Cadbury, Mars and the Campbell’s Soup Company.
“I have a great passion for the oceans and health of the marine environment,” said Macnair. “As a diver and underwater photographer, I have seen first-hand the impact we are having on our seas and it is deeply worrying. I believe MiAlgae has the potential to make a significant and positive impact on reducing and hopefully eliminating the need for wild caught fish as the source for Omega-3.
“I also believe we can expand MiAlgae’s core technology into other areas to provide environmentally sound and sustainable solutions for waste streams while creating value-added products. Ultimately I want to see good science translated into truly sustainable and environmentally responsible businesses.”
Pet owners are demanding more than simply “pet food” and the industry is evolving to become “pet care”. Pets are family members and owners look to treat them accordingly.
Douglas Martin, founder and managing director of MiAlgae, added: “The challenges of the past year have underscored the need to prioritise sustainability and accelerate green innovation.
“By utilising co-products from different industries and implementing innovative biotechnology processes to convert these into added value products, we can protect the environment, whilst building a vibrant economy.”
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