Sanford opens new bioactives centre in Blenheim

The hidden properties of many species of New Zealand seafood will be explored and unlocked at a new marine extracts plant just opened in Blenheim, Marlborough.

The $20 million plus Bioactives innovation centre is a project of seafood company Sanford. It was established to maximise the beneficial properties of several of New Zealand’s under-appreciated marine products.

“Firstly, Sanford Bioactives will take marine products that we already know have beneficial
properties,” said Andrew Stanley, Sanford’s General Manager of Innovation. “That’s products like Greenshell mussel powder, which has proven anti- inflammatory and joint health benefits.”

Mr Stanley added that the new Bioactives centre introduces new technology and equipment that gives Sanford an opportunity to double and eventually quadruple its output.

“Secondly, there are the new areas of marine extracts and science we are going to explore. Some of these are confidential for commercial reasons, but the potential is huge, given that Sanford is a fishing and aquaculture company that works with more than 100 different marine species.”

The Bioactives centre is being managed in partnership with the Cawthron Institute, Plant and Food and Massey University. It will eventually employ up to 48 people.