EU support for unique regional sludge circularity project

- This is a very important project for us fish farmers. We want to operate as sustainably as possible and get clear answers on how our activities affect nature, says Geir Magne Knutsen, Head of Strategy and Development at Bremnes Seashore, one of the participants in the project.

In addition, the fish farmers Eide Fjordbruk, Erko Seafood, Lingalaks and Tombre Fiskeanlegg will engage in the project, all located within region Rosendal in Hardangerfjord. These are the operational partners, while the research institutions NORCE and the Institute of Marine Research will measure the effects of sludge collection. Industry players Ragn-Sells and Framo will contribute with the needed technology.

The 120 million kroners has been granted from the EU’s Horizon program and has 30 partners, including ten European partners from Finland, Sweden, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

Regional collaboration  

The salmon farming activity is substantial in the Hardangerfjord, with 100,000 tons of farmed salmon produced in open cages annually. The activity leads to discharge of sludge and nutrients into the surrounding waters. The sludge, consisting of feed residues and feces, can have negative impact the marine environment around the fish farms, with the risk of eutrophication.

The project is important for the region, as Hardanger is also a major tourist attraction.

The majestic Hardanger fjord is home to a significant amount of fish farmers. Now, the have teamed up to be able to continue the production in a more sustainable way, taking better care of the beautiful surroundings. Photo: Niels Johansen. 

- All the fish farmers participating in this project are located around Hardangerfjord, and we all want to farm fish as sustainably as possible to secure both jobs and our fjord, Sondre Eide, third-generation fish farmer and CEO of Eide Fjordbruk.

The Greater Bergen company Framo is a global leader in pump technologies for the maritime and offshore industry, but at now delivering technology to the marine value chain.

- Framo has LiftUP technology for collecting sludge from open cages, which is then filtered and stored for further processing. Sludge from fish farming is resources gone astray. We see that sludge collection will become a large industry both locally and internationally in the future. Framo has a strong focus on developing industrial sustainable solutions and wants to become a leading player in this market, says Martijn Bergink, Business Unit President Pumping Systems at Framo.

Slugde as a resource

The Norwegian fish farming industry is significant, with an export value of more than EUR 10 billion. However, the production also causes an estimated volume of 500,000 tons of sludge on a yearly basis, according to a report from PwC. In today’s open pens the sludge, formed from fish faeces and feed residue, goes through the nets and washes out into the surrounding ocean. Hence, collection of the sludge will give a major local environmental effect and will also open for increased production at the best production sites.

But the sludge itself is also considered a resource.

The waste management company Ragn-Sells will contribute with technology to convert the sludge into phosphorus that can be used as new feed ingredients and fertilizer in agriculture.

- Circular technology for fish farms provides a lower climate footprint, less strain on the fjords, and more fish from each farm. At the same time, we utilize valuable raw materials and help reduce Europe’s dependence on imported energy and nutrients, says Vidar Svenning Olsen, CEO of Ragn-Sells Norway.