Dec. 12, 2019

Tru Shrimp is partnering with SDSU to open a lab in Brookings for research into shrimp co-products.

The Minnesota-based company, which plans to build its first full-scale shrimp harbor in Madison, will take up residency next month in the Brookings Innovation Center at the Research Park at SDSU.

“Our first priority at the Research Park is commercialization of the medical-grade chitosan co-product derived from the shrimp’s shell,” said company president and CEO Michael Ziebell. “The Tidal Basin technology leveraged in our system not only provides the highest quality water and perfect habitat for the shrimp but also leads to a purity in our shells that we believe is unmatched.”

Tru Shrimp began selling shrimp produced at its Balaton headquarters this fall. It’s in the process of raising capital to open the $300 million shrimp harbor in Madison.

“The collaborative opportunities that exist will now happen at a rapid rate,” said Dwaine Chapel, CEO and executive director of the Research Park. “The partnership between SDSU and tru Shrimp has evolved in a positive and productive direction since our first meeting in July 2016.”

Five of the 30-plus tru Shrimp employees are SDSU graduates, including chief technical officer Bruce Paterson.

“It’s no secret that SDSU and the surrounding partners have extensive knowledge and experience in aquaculture, and we’re excited to work together to continue disrupting the shrimp industry from our platform here in the Midwest,” said Brian Knochenmus, the company’s chairman of the board.

Aquaculture pioneers see potential for growing industry in S.D.