BOSSES behind a £30m fish food plant say the base is thriving after revealing strong production levels.

Calysta says its factory at Wilton, near Redcar, has made in excess of four tonnes of its FeedKind-branded protein, which will go to customers in Europe, Asia, the US, Japan and Australia.

A fish and animal feed ingredient, FeedKind is made using a natural process similar to the production of Marmite and aims to reduce the salmon farming industry’s dependence on fishmeal.

Officials say it will help meet the rising middle-class population’s clamour for protein and help reduce commercial overfishing and fishmeal costs.

The Wilton plant, which Calysta claims has the potential to annually produce hundreds of tonnes of FeedKind, only opened last year, but Alan Shaw, president and chief executive, said it has already made a big impression.

Mr Shaw, a former ICI Teesside worker, said: “I want to commend our team for achieving this significant milestone in a very short timeframe.

“It is a testament to their extensive experience and the power of our technology.

“Our customers are now able to benefit from our substantial investment in research and manufacturing technology for FeedKind over the last decade.”

Speaking to The Northern Echo last year, Mr Shaw said the company’s Wilton factory, based beside the Centre for Process Innovation, could be the spark for a bio-cluster the envy of the UK.

He also refused to rule out the prospect of his firm expanding further across the North-East.

He added: “This is ground-breaking technology and is a shot in the arm for Teesside.

“It could make people sit up and take notice; if we are able to do this here, maybe other high-tech companies will say the same.

“Over time, Teesside could become a mini bio-technology cluster.

“You never know; success leads to success.”

The plant has been supported by an exceptional Regional Growth Fund award from the Government.