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Aquaculture Magazine reports:
The world’s largest supplier of solutions and services to aquaculture celebrates its 50th anniversary
Årdal Aqua has chosen Norwegian AKVA group to complete the construction of its post-smolt facility after the previous RAS supplier, Billund Aquaculture, went bankrupt. The facility in Årdal, a city in the Vestlandet region of Norway, consists of four post-smolt modules, each with a capacity of 1,500 tons, and is scheduled for completion in June 2025.
AKVA Group has recruited key personnel from the previous supplier and will also contribute additional resources to ensure the successful completion of the facility.
According to Nils Viga, General Manager of Årdal Aqua: “Engaging AKVA Group was crucial to ensure the post-smolt facility is completed as planned. We are confident that their expertise and the integration of key personnel from the previous supplier will ensure progress and completion by June 2025.”
Årdal Aqua AS is owned by Omfar, Grieg Seafood Rogaland and Vesthavbruk and is located in Årdal in Hjelmeland municipality. The facilities are under construction and have the capacity to produce 6,000 tons of large smolt for delivery to food fish farmers, mainly in Rogaland. The facility also provides the opportunity to produce edible fish.
50 years with quality pens
In the other hand, AKVA Group -one of the world’s largest supplier of solutions and services to aquaculture, with offices in 11 countries and employees from 39 nationalities- is now in its anniversary number 50. AKVA Group produce in Norway fish pens that combine innovation, quality, and environmental responsibility. Polarcirkel pens are built to withstand the toughest conditions, ensuring maximum safety and durability in challenging environments.
“Our solutions are based on extensive experience, ensuring that fish farmers can rely on the pens to perform optimally under all weather conditions, and that they can be tailored to specific needs and locations,” says Jøran Strand, Sales Manager at AKVA.
The pens are made from high-quality polyethylene, a material known for its strength and flexibility. They are robust and designed to meet modern standards for both fish welfare and environmental considerations.
AKVA Group offers customized solutions, making it possible to meet everything from general needs to highly specific requirements. This provides fish farmers with flexibility and peace of mind.
Five decades of innovation
Steinar Olaisen and Hans Petter Meland came up with the idea of a plastic fish pen made from PE plastic, which was developed in close collaboration with Helgeland Plast. In February 1974, the prototype was delivered and tested at Lovund Sjøprodukter, a company owned by Meland and Olaisen. This marked the beginning of a revolution in the aquaculture industry. Helgeland Plast, which later became part of AKVA Group, produced the pen. Both Lovundlaks and Nova Sea, which later emerged from this company, have played crucial roles in bringing this technology to a global market.
Since then, AKVA group has continuously developed the pen to meet the industry’s strict demands for quality, safety, and sustainability. The transition from virgin plastic to recycled materials reflects AKVA group’s commitment to innovation while preserving their roots in tradition and quality.
“We are proud of our history and what we have achieved. Reducing the use of virgin plastic is crucial for minimizing the carbon footprint and promoting circular value chains,” says Freddy Bakken Braseth, General Manager at AKVA, Mo i Rana.
Safer workplace
With wide walkways and sturdy railings, farmers can move around with greater freedom and safety, creating a safer workplace. Additionally, safety ladders are provided, which are mounted on the walkways to ensure that anyone who falls into the sea can climb back up in all weather conditions.
As they say, AKVA Group is continuously working to make the fish pens more sustainable. The polystyrene has been removed, and the walkways are made from recycled materials. The company will continue to focus on reuse and has already launched the world’s first fish pen made from 100 percent recycled materials.
“With wide walkways and sturdy railings, fish farmers can move around with greater freedom and security, creating a safer workplace,” says Jøran Strand.
AKVA group’s focus on recycled plastic is a significant step towards a more sustainable future. Through collaboration with companies like Plasto and Oceanize, AKVA Group ensures that the plastic used in production meets the quality standards required by the aquaculture industry.
“By establishing national value chains for recycling plastic fish pens, we reduce CO2 emissions from production by two-thirds,” explains Strand.
The process takes place domestically, further reducing the environmental impact. By granulating used plastic into new raw material, a closed loop is created, giving the plastic an “eternal life.”
