Kartal and BASF launched BalanGut® Aqua in Izmir
BalanGut® Aqua, which is a balancer product for sustainable production and fish welfare, which ensures the protection of intestinal health in fish, was launched in Izmir with the participation of representatives of the aquaculture sector in partnership with Kartal and BASF Turkey.
We met with representatives of the aquaculture sector at the launch of BalanGut Aqua, which was held in İzmir between 20-21 June 2022 with the cooperation of Kartal and BASF. At the launch meeting, which lasted for 2 days, at Izmir Wyndham Grand Özdilek Hotel, under the title “Gut health is in balance, things are well”, intestinal health in fish, general problems in aquaculture, and current trends were discussed.
The program started with BASF introductory presentation by Janina Jordaan, BASF Eastern Europe, and Middle East Sales Coordinator. Referring to BASF’s global structuring, the sectors it gives services, and its power in production, Jordaan stated that as BASF, they want to contribute to a sustainable future and added: “The world population is increasing, but the world’s resources are limited. We can make a positive contribution to this process and take responsibility by giving priority to sustainable solutions, innovations, Technologies, and production processes. For this, we focus on conserving resources, reducing waste, and providing efficient solutions across all our business segments.”
Janina Jordaan also stated that BASF acts by paying regard to the global developments which affect the nutrition and health market such as sustainability, aging population, urbanization, food security, safe food, growing middle class, health, and well-being while developing innovative products.
FROM VITAMIN PRODUCTION TO BALANGUT®
Jordaan specified that BASF, which is known especially with vitamins and enzymes, has many products in many different sectors, reminding BASF’s 6 global business units: animal nutrition and flavor ingredients, human nutrition, pharmaceutical solutions, and enzymes. Jordaan, referring to the milestones in the animal nutrition unit of BASF, which offers science-oriented, high-quality themes and solutions, said, “We started with the production of vitamins in 1970 and thus, gained a lot of experience. As a result of long R&D studies, in 1990 we launched a pioneering project, Phytase – Natuphos. As we develop products, we constantly ask ourselves what more we need to do. BalanGut®, a product we have recently added to our portfolio, is one of these extremely valuable products in my opinion and it will become more important day by day. We want healthy animals and that’s why we develop such products.”
A POZITIVE CONTRIBUTION TO LIFE…
Taking the floor after Jordaan, General Manager of Kartal Kimya Dr. Murat Kalyoncu made a presentation about Kartal Kimya. In his presentation, Kalyoncu explained the history, production, and hot breakthroughs of Kartal Kimya, which is celebrating its 37th anniversary in 2022, and said “Since the date of our establishment, we have become one of the most important players in the animal health and feed additives industry with our high product quality, production technology, innovative products, vision, entrepreneurial structure, and financial strength. With our high-quality feed additives and tailor-made solution-oriented products, we have been an important supplier for our local and international customers for 37 years.”
Expressing that Kartal Kimya has the most modern production facility in Turkey and Europe, Kalyoncu added: “The physical reason why our products are innovative and of high quality is that we have high-tech factory equipment established by Bühler. We make analyzes in our own laboratories to control the quality standard of the products we manufacture at Kartal Kimya.”
Emphasizing the increasing quality expectations in the feed industry in the continuation of his presentation, Dr. Murat Kalyoncu stated that they are constantly improving themselves in production and quality. Following the presentation, Dr. Murat Kalyoncu emphasized the increasing quality expectations in the feed industry and stated that they are constantly improving themselves in production and quality. “Continuous improvement is inevitable for us,” said Kalyoncu, and continued: “We work with companies that produce high-end raw materials to produce high-quality premixes. Our focus is to enhance animal health and production positively under our brand and to create a permanent value for the Turkish livestock sector with our product portfolio. We, as Kartal Kimya, are aware of our responsibility towards future generations in all aspects of the economy, environment, and society. We reflect this awareness by creating a sustainable and reliable future with our corporate values and honest principles. We work every day to ‘make a positive contribution to life.”
RELATION OF NUTRITION AND GUT HEALTH
Prof. Dr. Tufan Eroldoğan made a presentation about “Intestinal Health and Immunity in Fish” as part of the BalanGut® Aqua launch, especially focused on intestinal health, feeding relationship, and immunity. Eroldoğan started his speech by mentioning the protein requirement for the increasing world population and stated that the aquaculture sector has an important role in meeting the increasing protein needs. Stating that due to limited raw material resources and the economic reflections of these raw materials, attention should be paid to new sources or recovery of resources from wastes for the sustainability of production. Dr. Tufan Eroldoğan mentioned the changes and new trends in the resources used as feed raw materials in the world.
Emphasizing that rations prepared with different raw materials have different effects on the intestinal microbiota of fish and that immunity may vary according to the raw materials used in feed, Prof. Dr. Tufan Eroldoğan said, “You have to act by considering that the raw material you will use can affect the microbiota positively or negatively. Balance is very important here.” He said and gave examples of nutrients and feed additives used to meet criteria such as fish health, production efficiency, and quality.
BALANGUT AQUA AND FISH HEALTH
The first day of the launch, organized in partnership with Kartal Kimya & BASF, ended with the “BalanGut – Aqua Product Introduction” presentation by BASF Animal Nutrition EMEA and Asia-Pacific Sales Manager Dr. Ehab Aboelsaadat. In his presentation, Dr. Aboelsaadat mentioned the health problems encountered in fish and the studies to eliminate these problems, and pointed to antibiotic resistance in particular. Stating that they, as BASF, do research on different products such as butyric acid and focus on intestinal health due to antibiotic resistance, Aboelsaadat then gave information about the BalanGut® Aqua product, which stands out with its advantages for intestinal health, and the trial studies. BalanGut® Aqua, which is a balancer product for sustainable production and fish welfare, which ensures the protection of intestinal health in fish, underlined its performance-enhancing feature due to its innovative composition and antibacterial effect.
BalanGut®, BASF’s introduction to gut health, is not an organic acid, it’s a mixture of mono-, di- and tri-glycerides of short and medium-chain fatty acids. BalanGut®, is not dependent on pH unlike organic acids, draws attention with its easy use, non-corrosive and non-volatile properties as well as heat resistance. The product, which supports intestinal health in poultry, fish and shrimp production by balancing the digestive system, targets optimum development by protecting the health and welfare of animals.
PROBIO AND KARTAL AIM TO PROGRESS WITH COALITION
On the second day of the event, TÜYEKAD Vice President and Probio Health Products Market Development Director Dr. M. Emre Yardibi and Probio Health Products Fish Food & Cat Dog Food Formulation and Feed Technologies Specialist Müge Önder Apaydın made presentations titled, “Microbiota Dynamics and Formulation Strategies in Plant-Based Carnivorous European Sea Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax).
The introductory meeting continued with the presentation of Bühler Group’s Turkey Feed Unit Sales Managers Mithat Can Defektaş on “Aquaculture Market and Trends”. He emphasized that they are open to development and that they draw attention to the sector with their work.
The launch meeting, which was extremely informative, got full marks from the participants and ended with a vote of thanks speech by Kartal & BASF partnership.