Finnforel’s Abu Dhabi deal
Finnish aquaculture business Finnforel could be growing its rainbow trout in the Middle East, following an agreement with an Abu Dhabi-based investment company.
Finnforel and the investment and holding company ADQ have agreed to work together to investigate the possibility of constructing a RAS (recirculating aquaculture systems) plant strategically located within a dedicated zone for aquaculture and related industries owned by KEZAD (Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi).
The RAS plant, if it goes ahead, would have a capacity of at least 3,000 tonnes.
A joint statement from Finnforel and ADQ said: “Upon satisfactory conclusion of the feasibility stage, the development of the fish farming facility would mark the inaugural large-scale implementation of recirculating aquaculture systems in the UAE [United Arab Emirates], representing a significant milestone for the food and agriculture sector. The facility will be modelled after Finnforel’s unique indoor aquaculture concept.”
ADQ is an investment company with a range of interests including energy, agriculture and healthcare. It is described as a “strategic partner” of the government of Abu Dhabi.
Mansour AlMulla, Deputy Group Chief Executive Officer at ADQ, said: “Our collaboration with Finnforel exemplifies our commitment to harnessing state-of-the-art technology to facilitate the expansion of local food production capabilities. With imports currently catering to the vast majority of the demand for protein in the UAE, our focus is to work towards closing supply gaps by introducing a new way of cultivating high-quality seafood that is cherished for its nutritional value.
Pekka A Viljakainen, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Finnforel Group, added: “The current global realities are heightening our awareness of the critical importance of food security. In the foreseeable future, it will become imperative for every nation to ensure the local production of most of their consumed food, including fresh fish.
“Finnforel’s mission is to build a network of local facilities based on our tried-and-tested vertically integrated concept; an endeavour which must be pursued sustainably and with environmental responsibility. It is a tremendous honour for Finnforel to embark on this exciting journey of prospective growth with ADQ.”
Viljakainen said local people would be trained to operate the RAS plant. Ova for the farm would be supplied from Finnforel’s broodstock in Finland.
Founded in 2015, Finnforel is an innovative aquaculture technology company that currently operates two recirculating aquaculture systems facilities in Finland with a total production volume of 3,000 tonnes per year.
In October the Japanese conglomerate Mitsubishi, which already owns salmon farming group Cermaq, announced that it was investing an undisclosed sum in Finnforel.
The company says its high degree of vertical integration, from hatchery to farming and packaging, achieves significant efficiency and scale. The so-called “gigafactory” borrows from the concept of Tesla’s approach, with as much of the supply chain as possible under one roof. Finnforel has said it is seeking to multiply its capacity through global expansion.
In fact, Pekka Viljakainen said at the press conference announcing the Abu Dhabi deal: “I have said I would like to build one or two gigafactories every year until I retire – which will be 2042 – and I was only half joking!”
Finnforel’s stated strategy is to export first, to build and develop a market for its rainbow trout, before investing in facilities for local production. In the case of the Middle East, Viljakainen says there is already a market for Scottish trout – albeit in small quantities – and trout raised in Turkey.
He believes strongly that the world demand for salmonids is set to grow considerably over the next 20-30 years and that rainbow trout is well placed to help meet this. In particular, he argues, trout are better suited to RAS production than Atlantic salmon, and more resistant to diseases.
Rainbow trout is a cold water fish and one might expect challenges growing this species in the Middle East, but as Viljakainen points out, in some ways Finland is more challenging. Temperatures there can range from 30°C in summer to -30°C in winter, a wider temperature difference than would be experienced in Abu Dhabi. The proposed gigafactory would use heat exchangers to ensure that it remains at a comfortable temperature.
Rainbow trout in the desert might seem like an unlikely concept, but Finnforel believes it has the technology and the expertise to make it happen.
In defence of RAS
Following Nick Joy’s article (“There’s nothing new in the world”, Fish Farmer, October 2024) on the drawbacks of recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), Ivar Warrer-Hansen responds.
I make my very living from RAS projects. But as everyone also knows, I believe there is room for both RAS and conventional salmon farming. This doesn’t seem to be the case with Nick Joy, so I feel I must clarify a few things.
There are different considerations, yes, but if you have a good RAS concept, saltwater RAS is no more difficult than freshwater RAS. The problem is that there are only a handful of RAS suppliers with a good concept, hence the number of failed projects. Look at all the H2S [hydrogen sulphide] incidents for example.
With regards to stocking densities, 80 kg/m3 has been shown to be acceptable, fish welfare wise. After all, we have no problems with smolt at 50-70 kg/m3.
With regards to quality of produce from RAS, these have at tastings measured up to net pen salmon. In fact, in some cases RAS-grown fish have even been preferred, due to their better flesh texture thanks to more swim activity. And it is good we now have the Skagen Salmon project [a RAS salmon producer in Denmark] to show the way to success for the industry.
Ivar Warrer-Hansen is CEO of RASLogic, and advises on the design and operation of RAS systems.
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