The innovation of aquatic feed patents has exploded, with the number of patents for puffing technology, nutritional formula, and intelligent devices doubling in three years

In the past three years, the number of patent applications in the domestic aquarium product manufacturing field has experienced explosive growth. Only the cumulative number of patent applications related to ornamental fish feed, turtle food, and supporting equipment has exceeded 280. Among them, the proportion of invention patents and utility model patents continues to increase, covering five core tracks: puffing processing technology, functional nutrition formula, intelligent production equipment, environmental protection filter materials, and water quality improvement preparations. Technological innovation has officially become the core competitive driving force of the industry. From the perspective of patent structure, appearance patents are mostly concentrated in feed packaging and landscaping crafts; Utility model patents focus on the improvement of automation production line accessories, metal detection, weighing, and warehousing and handling equipment; Invention patents focus on core technologies such as high fresh meat puffing process, probiotic compound feed formula, preparation of nano biochemical filter materials, and bio based water quality improvers, which are also key to enhancing the competitiveness of enterprise products.
In the past, the R&D investment in the industry was generally low, and most manufacturers directly copied mature formulas and universal production lines, resulting in severe homogenization and low price competition. However, with the upgrading of consumption and the expansion of overseas markets, large-scale enterprises have set up school enterprise joint research teams, linked with multiple agricultural, forestry, and aquatic university laboratories across the country, and carried out targeted R&D for dragon fish specific high protein grains, turtle food grade slow-release feed, and tropical fish hair color functional feed, building product technology barriers through patents. For example, the invention patent for precise addition and puffing of high fresh meat slurry solves the industry pain points of low fresh meat addition, easy layering, and incomplete maturation in traditional feed, greatly improving the palatability and nutrient absorption rate of the finished product; The patent for the preparation of composite microbial filter materials significantly improves the efficiency of ammonia nitrogen decomposition in water bodies, prolongs the service life of filter materials, and reduces maintenance costs for breeders. Science and technology departments in various regions have introduced support policies for patent applications of aquatic manufacturing enterprises. Invention patent authorizations can apply for special subsidies, while encouraging enterprises to rely on patent applications for high-tech enterprises to enjoy tax reductions and preferential treatment for factory land. Industry experts analyze that the number of patents will become the core indicator for future industry integration. Small and medium-sized enterprises that lack independent research and development patents and rely solely on OEM replication will gradually lose their voice in the mid to high end market, and the pattern of technological innovation driving high-quality industrial development will be fully formed.