Ace Aquatec's A-HSU® helps leading shrimp producer meet emerging welfare requirements

13 July 2026

As shrimp welfare becomes increasingly important across the global seafood industry, producers are looking for practical ways to meet evolving customer expectations while maintaining efficient operations. For Vietnam Clean Seafood Corporation (Vina Cleanfood), one of Vietnam's leading shrimp producers and exporters, investing in Ace Aquatec's Humane Stunner Universal (A-HSU®) for Shrimp represents an important step towards future-proofing its business and supporting higher shrimp welfare standards.

Established in 2009, Vina Cleanfood has grown into a major exporter of frozen shrimp, supplying retail and foodservice customers across Europe, North America and Asia. Today, the company exports approximately 10,000 metric tonnes of finished shrimp products annually and employs around 2,000 people across its farming and processing operations.

A key strength of Vina Cleanfood lies in its vertically integrated production model. The company has a unique procurement system in Vietnam, purchasing 100% of its shrimp directly from farmers, while its own ASC-certified farm supplies around 30% of the raw material processed at the factory. This commitment to sustainable shrimp farming and responsible production has helped the business meet the requirements of customers around the world.

Supporting shrimp welfare through the harvesting process

As awareness of shrimp welfare continues to grow, Vina Cleanfood identified an opportunity to strengthen its harvesting operations through the adoption of humane shrimp stunning technology.

Working in partnership with Shrimp Welfare Project and an international seafood customer, the company installed Ace Aquatec's A-HSU® for Shrimp at one of its farming sites in Vietnam.

"We wanted to be prepared for customers who require welfare-focused harvesting practices," explains from Mr Vo Van Phuc, Vina Cleanfood General Director. "As expectations around shrimp welfare continue to develop, it is important for us to have the right systems and technology in place."

The A-HSU® for Shrimp was installed directly at the farm, where shrimp are harvested from ponds before being transported to the processing facility. Currently used on selected harvests, Vina Cleanfood has adopted the system to align with emerging shrimp welfare standards, support responsible aquaculture, and prepare for evolving customer requirements.

Preparing for future customer requirements

For export-focused seafood businesses, flexibility is increasingly important. Different markets and customers often have different specifications, and being able to accommodate welfare-focused requirements can provide a valuable advantage in a competitive marketplace.

"Shrimp welfare is becoming an increasingly important topic across the seafood sector," says by Mr Vo Van Phuc, General Director of Vina Cleanfood. "We wanted to take a proactive approach by investing in technology that supports more humane harvesting practices and demonstrates our commitment to responsible production."

This proactive commitment to shrimp welfare is something the Shrimp Welfare Project is increasingly encouraging across the industry.

“Shrimp welfare is becoming a key priority across global seafood supply chains, with retailers, foodservice businesses and producers increasingly looking for proven solutions that support higher welfare standards." says Krzysztof Wojtas , CEO at the Shrimp Welfare Project. "What's particularly encouraging is when producers take proactive steps to prepare for evolving expectations rather than waiting for requirements to become mandatory. By investing in humane stunning technology at this stage, Vietnam Clean Seafood Corporation is demonstrating leadership and a commitment to continuous improvement in shrimp welfare. It's a positive example of how the industry can work collaboratively to advance welfare standards while supporting long-term sustainability.”

Expert installation and ongoing support

Beyond the technology itself, Vina Cleanfood highlighted the professionalism and expertise of the Ace Aquatec team throughout the installation process.

Successful implementation of new aquaculture technology relies not only on the equipment but also on the support provided during installation and commissioning. Vina Cleanfood informed the experience working with Ace Aquatec was a positive one from start to finish.

"We were very impressed with the installation process," he says. "Ace Aquatec's engineer was highly experienced, hardworking and professional throughout the project. We appreciated the support and expertise provided during the installation."

For large-scale shrimp producers, confidence in both technology and service is essential when introducing new systems into existing operations. The smooth installation process helped ensure the company could begin integrating the A-HSU® into its harvesting practices with confidence.

As shrimp welfare standards continue to gain attention across the global seafood supply chain, humane shrimp stunning is expected to play an increasingly important role in responsible aquaculture production. By investing in Ace Aquatec's humane stunning technology Vina Cleanfood has positioned itself to meet emerging customer requirements while supporting the continued development of best practices in shrimp welfare.

The project highlights how innovative shrim