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Annual workshop highlights U.S. Soy's role in sustainable aquafeeds
PATTAYA, Thailand, June 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) successfully hosted the 11th Annual Southeast Asia Aquaculture Feed Formulation Workshop from May 18–21, 2025, in Pattaya, Thailand. The event brought together commercial aquafeed formulators and global experts to strengthen regional collaboration and further train participants on commercially applicable approaches to designing high-quality, nutritionally targeted feed formulations that meet the industry's needs for profitable and efficient aquaculture production.
Aquaculture remains the fastest-growing segment of the feed industry, and Southeast Asia is a major contributor to global fishery production, generating 22% of the world's output[1]. As aquaculture continues to expand to meet rising demand, feed formulators are playing an increasingly important role in developing high-quality, cost-effective, and sustainable solutions—an area where U.S. Soy offers proven value and performance.
U.S. Soy: A Sustainable Aquafeed Solution
Soy is now the most widely used plant-based protein in aquafeed, and U.S. Soy offers a scalable, sustainable alternative to fishmeal—reducing reliance on marine resources while maintaining performance.
U.S. Soy consistently demonstrates high digestibility, a balanced amino acid profile, and lower carbon footprints than soy from other origins. Participants in the workshop examined ingredient sustainability metrics and used a simulated commercial formulation environment to evaluate cost-effectiveness and environmental impact.
"As aquaculture in Southeast Asia grows more sophisticated, there's increasing demand for reliable, high-quality protein sources that support feed efficiency and sustainability," said Lukas Manomaitis, Technical Director – Aquaculture, USSEC Southeast Asia & Oceania, and lead at this event. "U.S. Soy is well-positioned to meet that need—with consistent nutritional quality, a verified sustainability profile, and strong technical support. It's now a key ingredient driving resilient and innovative aquaculture production."
Building Regional Expertise
Now in its 11th year, the three-day workshop trained participants from Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam in hands-on formulation sessions using real-world data to simulate commercial environments. These exercises demonstrated the value of U.S. Soy in building high-performance, sustainable feed while navigating a complex and evolving ingredient landscape.
With technical presentations and group formulation simulations, the workshop addressed practical considerations such as ingredient cost variability, supply chain factors, and environmental impacts. Conversations throughout the workshop reinforced the growing need for sustainable plant protein, like soy, as the top ingredient choice for aquafeeds. With feed accounting for a significant portion of production costs, optimizing formulations with responsibly sourced ingredients like U.S. Soy is critical for both performance and long-term environmental stewardship.
Global Insights, Regional Impact
This year's event featured leading aquaculture nutritionists, including Dr. Dominique Bureau, USSEC's Aqua Nutrition and Feed Specialist and Dr. Brett Glencross, Technical Director at IFFO - The Marine Ingredients Organisation, alongside a large global panel of formulators and topic experts.
Philip Good, Mississippi soybean farmer and Chair of the United Soybean Board (USB), emphasized how U.S. farmers are committed to producing high-quality soy using sustainable practices that support the evolving needs of sectors like aquaculture. Other topics ranged from functional feed development and nutrient optimization to sustainability assessments in feed formulation.
"Through long-term partnerships and targeted technical support, USSEC is proud to support Southeast Asia's aquaculture sector with the knowledge, and resources needed to advance sustainable growth," said Timothy Loh, Regional Director, Southeast Asia & Oceania, USSEC.
As aquaculture continues to evolve globally, practical formulation tools and shared technical expertise are key to improving feed strategies. USSEC remains committed to working alongside Southeast Asia's feed formulators to support more efficient and responsible aquaculture practices.
This press release is funded in part by the soy checkoff.
About the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC):
The U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) focuses on differentiating, elevating preference, and attaining market access for the use of U.S. Soy for human consumption, aquaculture, and livestock feed in 93 countries internationally. USSEC members represent the soy supply chain including U.S. Soy farmers, processors, commodity shippers, merchandisers, allied agribusinesses, and agricultural organizations. USSEC is funded by the soy checkoff, USDA Foreign Agricultural Service matching funds, and industry. Visit ussec.org for the latest information and news about USSEC and U.S. Soy internationally.
Annual workshop highlights U.S. Soy's role in sustainable aquafeeds
PATTAYA, Thailand, June 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) successfully hosted the 11th Annual Southeast Asia Aquaculture Feed Formulation Workshop from May 18–21, 2025, in Pattaya, Thailand. The event brought together commercial aquafeed formulators and global experts to strengthen regional collaboration and further train participants on commercially applicable approaches to designing high-quality, nutritionally targeted feed formulations that meet the industry's needs for profitable and efficient aquaculture production.
Aquaculture remains the fastest-growing segment of the feed industry, and Southeast Asia is a major contributor to global fishery production, generating 22% of the world's output[1]. As aquaculture continues to expand to meet rising demand, feed formulators are playing an increasingly important role in developing high-quality, cost-effective, and sustainable solutions—an area where U.S. Soy offers proven value and performance.
U.S. Soy: A Sustainable Aquafeed Solution
Soy is now the most widely used plant-based protein in aquafeed, and U.S. Soy offers a scalable, sustainable alternative to fishmeal—reducing reliance on marine resources while maintaining performance.
U.S. Soy consistently demonstrates high digestibility, a balanced amino acid profile, and lower carbon footprints than soy from other origins. Participants in the workshop examined ingredient sustainability metrics and used a simulated commercial formulation environment to evaluate cost-effectiveness and environmental impact.
"As aquaculture in Southeast Asia grows more sophisticated, there's increasing demand for reliable, high-quality protein sources that support feed efficiency and sustainability," said Lukas Manomaitis, Technical Director – Aquaculture, USSEC Southeast Asia & Oceania, and lead at this event. "U.S. Soy is well-positioned to meet that need—with consistent nutritional quality, a verified sustainability profile, and strong technical support. It's now a key ingredient driving resilient and innovative aquaculture production."
Building Regional Expertise
Now in its 11th year, the three-day workshop trained participants from Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam in hands-on formulation sessions using real-world data to simulate commercial environments. These exercises demonstrated the value of U.S. Soy in building high-performance, sustainable feed while navigating a complex and evolving ingredient landscape.
With technical presentations and group formulation simulations, the workshop addressed practical considerations such as ingredient cost variability, supply chain factors, and environmental impacts. Conversations throughout the workshop reinforced the growing need for sustainable plant protein, like soy, as the top ingredient choice for aquafeeds. With feed accounting for a significant portion of production costs, optimizing formulations with responsibly sourced ingredients like U.S. Soy is critical for both performance and long-term environmental stewardship.
Global Insights, Regional Impact
This year's event featured leading aquaculture nutritionists, including Dr. Dominique Bureau, USSEC's Aqua Nutrition and Feed Specialist and Dr. Brett Glencross, Technical Director at IFFO - The Marine Ingredients Organisation, alongside a large global panel of formulators and topic experts.
Philip Good, Mississippi soybean farmer and Chair of the United Soybean Board (USB), emphasized how U.S. farmers are committed to producing high-quality soy using sustainable practices that support the evolving needs of sectors like aquaculture. Other topics ranged from functional feed development and nutrient optimization to sustainability assessments in feed formulation.
"Through long-term partnerships and targeted technical support, USSEC is proud to support Southeast Asia's aquaculture sector with the knowledge, and resources needed to advance sustainable growth," said Timothy Loh, Regional Director, Southeast Asia & Oceania, USSEC.
As aquaculture continues to evolve globally, practical formulation tools and shared technical expertise are key to improving feed strategies. USSEC remains committed to working alongside Southeast Asia's feed formulators to support more efficient and responsible aquaculture practices.
This press release is funded in part by the soy checkoff.
About the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC):
The U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) focuses on differentiating, elevating preference, and attaining market access for the use of U.S. Soy for human consumption, aquaculture, and livestock feed in 93 countries internationally. USSEC members represent the soy supply chain including U.S. Soy farmers, processors, commodity shippers, merchandisers, allied agribusinesses, and agricultural organizations. USSEC is funded by the soy checkoff, USDA Foreign Agricultural Service matching funds, and industry. Visit ussec.org for the latest information and news about USSEC and U.S. Soy internationally.
[1] SEAFDEC (2023), Fishery Statistic Summary 2020, https://www.seafdec.org/stat2020/
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
USSEC Advances Aquaculture Feed Formulation in Southeast Asia
USSEC Advances Aquaculture Feed Formulation in Southeast Asia
- CATL opens Middle East's first NING SERVICE Experience Center in Riyadh —currently the largest new energy aftermarket facility outside China.
- The facility offers comprehensive full-lifecycle after-sales support, cultivates local technical talent and accelerates the deployment of advanced electrification and energy storage solutions.
- It also functions as a regional ecosystem hub linking diverse stakeholders and resources to drive industrial synergy and sustainable growth.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- On January 10, 2026, CATL opened the Middle East's first and currently the largest new energy aftermarket facility outside China—the NING SERVICE Experience Center in Riyadh—strengthening its after-sales presence in the Middle East and supporting the region's shift toward cleaner energy systems.
The opening comes as Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East advance ambitious electrification and decarbonization goals under Vision 2030 and similar national initiatives. Taking Saudi Arabia as an example, The Kingdom has set a goal to transition 30% of all vehicles in Riyadh to electric by 2030, as part of a larger strategy to reduce emissions in the capital city by 50%. Sustainability policies are also driving the shift to electric equipment, such as promoting the use of electric forklifts, while encouraging the use of green energy on farms under the Saudi Green Initiative. However, progress is tempered by persistent challenges, including longstanding oil dependency, surging electricity demand, extreme climatic conditions, and limited charging and service infrastructure.
Strategically designed to overcome these obstacles, the Riyadh facility offers comprehensive full-lifecycle after-sales support, cultivates local technical talent and accelerates the deployment of advanced electrification and energy storage solutions.
Covering more than 7,000 square meters, the Riyadh center combines exhibition areas, diagnostics and maintenance zones, refurbishment facilities, training spaces, and a customer lounge. It is designed to serve not only as a localized service hub for the region and a showcase of CATL's system-level capabilities across electric mobility, energy storage, and intelligent electrification, but also as a platform that links diverse resources, fostering industrial synergy across the ecosystem.
A full-lifecycle approach to new energy services
Relying on CATL's deep R&D and extreme manufacturing capabilities, NING SERVICE Experience Center provides customers with full-lifecycle services that encompass battery diagnostics, repair, maintenance, rework, training, recycling, aftermarket logistics and warehousing. Its services span over seven major product categories—from passenger and commercial vehicles to energy storage systems—along with diverse repair scenarios, setting a new benchmark for new energy service delivery in the region.
Leveraging CATL's advanced diagnostics and repair expertise, along with established service processes, the center's comprehensive after-sales services
helps enterprise customers reduce downtime, lower maintenance costs, and extend asset life, providing greater certainty around long-term performance and residual value while reducing long-term ownership costs and delivering more cost-effective and reliable services for end users.
Advancing localized operations and capability building
The Riyadh center serves as a key platform for CATL's localized operations in the Middle East, supporting talent development and long-term local value creation. Through dedicated training facilities, CATL builds after-sales and technical expertise in the new energy sector, contributing to skilled employment and knowledge transfer across the Middle East. Globally, NING SERVICE operates 10 training centers, totalling 2,300 square meters, and has certified more than 9,700 new energy after-sales professionals through partnerships with vocational institutions.
Beyond talent development, CATL is deepening its localization strategy by reinforcing local infrastructure and building ecosystem partnerships. CATL is in discussion with top-tier local industry players—including fuel network operators to rapidly provide green electricity to gas stations and major infrastructure companies to electrify their truck fleets, as well as energy companies to deploy solar-plus-storage solutions.
These initiatives not only bolster CATL's local service capabilities and market confidence, but also by enabling key partners, jointly drive the scaled adoption of comprehensive new energy solutions across the Middle East.
"As a leading energy company in Saudi Arabia, we see tremendous opportunities in energy transformation. For instance, we plan to deploy solar-plus-storage solutions at our gas stations and electrify forklifts to reduce reliance on oil. We look forward to collaborating with top players like CATL to drive this transition forward," said Ahmed Ibrahim，Assistant General Manager For Procurement of Al Drees, a leading provider of petroleum and logistics services in Saudi Arabia.
"The launch of CATL's Riyadh aftermarket flagship underscores our shared commitment to driving the global energy transition. This milestone not only reflects the growing demand for sustainable solutions in Saudi Arabia but also embodies our collective vision for a cleaner, electrified future. As the investor behind the experience centre, we are confident that this partnership will accelerate electrification and strengthen the region's role in advancing the energy transition." said Lin Chaofan, CEO of F4S.
Part of a global network
The Saudi Arabia opening builds on CATL's global service footprint, which includes more than 1,200 professional service stations across 76 countries and 73 spare-parts warehouses worldwide. CATL ranks No. 1 globally in spare parts inventory stocked with 100% genuine parts, with a total warehouse area of more than 370,000 square meters. To date, NING SERVICE has supported more than six million electric vehicles, providing professional after-sales services for passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, and energy storage customers.
A long-term commitment to the Middle East
Bruce Li, President of Quality System, Aftermarket Business, Battery Management System Department at CATL, said the Riyadh center reflects a strategic, long-term view of the region.
"Our decision to establish this center in Riyadh is not only a commercial choice, but a long-term commitment," Li said. "As the first NING SERVICE Experience Center in the Middle East, it is more than a service facility. It is a new energy aftermarket ecosystem hub that brings together advanced technology, professional training, and industry collaboration—effectively connecting diverse stakeholders and resources to foster deeper synergy and sustainable growth across the region. Starting from here, CATL will continue to expand its after-sales service network across the Middle East, align closely with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, and support the region's energy transition through a reliable, end-to-end service system."
As the Middle East accelerates its shift toward electrification and energy storage adoption, CATL's expanded NING SERVICE presence is poised to deliver the technical reliability and sustained partnerships essential for this transformation.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- On January 10, 2026, CATL opened the Middle East's first and currently the largest new energy aftermarket facility outside China—the NING SERVICE Experience Center in Riyadh—strengthening its after-sales presence in the Middle East and supporting the region's shift toward cleaner energy systems.
The opening comes as Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East advance ambitious electrification and decarbonization goals under Vision 2030 and similar national initiatives. Taking Saudi Arabia as an example, The Kingdom has set a goal to transition 30% of all vehicles in Riyadh to electric by 2030, as part of a larger strategy to reduce emissions in the capital city by 50%. Sustainability policies are also driving the shift to electric equipment, such as promoting the use of electric forklifts, while encouraging the use of green energy on farms under the Saudi Green Initiative. However, progress is tempered by persistent challenges, including longstanding oil dependency, surging electricity demand, extreme climatic conditions, and limited charging and service infrastructure.
Strategically designed to overcome these obstacles, the Riyadh facility offers comprehensive full-lifecycle after-sales support, cultivates local technical talent and accelerates the deployment of advanced electrification and energy storage solutions.
Covering more than 7,000 square meters, the Riyadh center combines exhibition areas, diagnostics and maintenance zones, refurbishment facilities, training spaces, and a customer lounge. It is designed to serve not only as a localized service hub for the region and a showcase of CATL's system-level capabilities across electric mobility, energy storage, and intelligent electrification, but also as a platform that links diverse resources, fostering industrial synergy across the ecosystem.
A full-lifecycle approach to new energy services
Relying on CATL's deep R&D and extreme manufacturing capabilities, NING SERVICE Experience Center provides customers with full-lifecycle services that encompass battery diagnostics, repair, maintenance, rework, training, recycling, aftermarket logistics and warehousing. Its services span over seven major product categories—from passenger and commercial vehicles to energy storage systems—along with diverse repair scenarios, setting a new benchmark for new energy service delivery in the region.
Leveraging CATL's advanced diagnostics and repair expertise, along with established service processes, the center's comprehensive after-sales services
helps enterprise customers reduce downtime, lower maintenance costs, and extend asset life, providing greater certainty around long-term performance and residual value while reducing long-term ownership costs and delivering more cost-effective and reliable services for end users.
Advancing localized operations and capability building
The Riyadh center serves as a key platform for CATL's localized operations in the Middle East, supporting talent development and long-term local value creation. Through dedicated training facilities, CATL builds after-sales and technical expertise in the new energy sector, contributing to skilled employment and knowledge transfer across the Middle East. Globally, NING SERVICE operates 10 training centers, totalling 2,300 square meters, and has certified more than 9,700 new energy after-sales professionals through partnerships with vocational institutions.
Beyond talent development, CATL is deepening its localization strategy by reinforcing local infrastructure and building ecosystem partnerships. CATL is in discussion with top-tier local industry players—including fuel network operators to rapidly provide green electricity to gas stations and major infrastructure companies to electrify their truck fleets, as well as energy companies to deploy solar-plus-storage solutions.
These initiatives not only bolster CATL's local service capabilities and market confidence, but also by enabling key partners, jointly drive the scaled adoption of comprehensive new energy solutions across the Middle East.
"As a leading energy company in Saudi Arabia, we see tremendous opportunities in energy transformation. For instance, we plan to deploy solar-plus-storage solutions at our gas stations and electrify forklifts to reduce reliance on oil. We look forward to collaborating with top players like CATL to drive this transition forward," said Ahmed Ibrahim，Assistant General Manager For Procurement of Al Drees, a leading provider of petroleum and logistics services in Saudi Arabia.
"The launch of CATL's Riyadh aftermarket flagship underscores our shared commitment to driving the global energy transition. This milestone not only reflects the growing demand for sustainable solutions in Saudi Arabia but also embodies our collective vision for a cleaner, electrified future. As the investor behind the experience centre, we are confident that this partnership will accelerate electrification and strengthen the region's role in advancing the energy transition." said Lin Chaofan, CEO of F4S.
Part of a global network
The Saudi Arabia opening builds on CATL's global service footprint, which includes more than 1,200 professional service stations across 76 countries and 73 spare-parts warehouses worldwide. CATL ranks No. 1 globally in spare parts inventory stocked with 100% genuine parts, with a total warehouse area of more than 370,000 square meters. To date, NING SERVICE has supported more than six million electric vehicles, providing professional after-sales services for passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, and energy storage customers.
A long-term commitment to the Middle East
Bruce Li, President of Quality System, Aftermarket Business, Battery Management System Department at CATL, said the Riyadh center reflects a strategic, long-term view of the region.
"Our decision to establish this center in Riyadh is not only a commercial choice, but a long-term commitment," Li said. "As the first NING SERVICE Experience Center in the Middle East, it is more than a service facility. It is a new energy aftermarket ecosystem hub that brings together advanced technology, professional training, and industry collaboration—effectively connecting diverse stakeholders and resources to foster deeper synergy and sustainable growth across the region. Starting from here, CATL will continue to expand its after-sales service network across the Middle East, align closely with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, and support the region's energy transition through a reliable, end-to-end service system."
As the Middle East accelerates its shift toward electrification and energy storage adoption, CATL's expanded NING SERVICE presence is poised to deliver the technical reliability and sustained partnerships essential for this transformation.
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
CATL Opens Middle East's Largest New Energy Aftermarket Facility in Riyadh
CATL Opens Middle East's Largest New Energy Aftermarket Facility in Riyadh
CATL Opens Middle East's Largest New Energy Aftermarket Facility in Riyadh
