Upgrading with hybrid system
Technology supplier Paras Aqua has delivered its first hybrid system to fish farmer Nilakkalohi. Both companies are Finnish.
Paras Aqua is developing a new aquaculture concept and will deliver its first technology solution based on Precision HFS technology to Nilakkalohi.
"The new production unit will significantly increase the capacity of the well-established facility – without increasing its environmental impact," Paras Aqua said in a press release.
Earlier this spring, Paras Aqua launched its advanced Precision HFS technology, which it says greatly expands the scope of application of hybrid flow-through technology. The system enables, among other things, very economical water consumption, cost-effective temperature control, and precise management of water quality – which improves fish welfare.
The first plant based on the new technology will be delivered to the Finnish company Nilakkalohi towards the end of 2025.
According to the press release, Nilakkalohi's facility in Tervo has played an important role in the development of Finnish fish farming.
“The facility has been a significant national player and has served as an important hatchery that has supported production in marine aquaculture. National breeding programmes for rainbow trout and whitefish were run here from 1989 to 2017, under the auspices of the Natural Resources Institute of Finland (Luke) and its predecessor, the Finnish Game and Fisheries Research Institute,” said Tapio Kiuru, founder of Paras Aqua.
The Paras Aqua technology was well known to Pietari Puranen, chief executive of Nilakkalohi, through long experience.
"We have followed the development of the Paras Aqua technology at Luke closely over the years and have great confidence in it. We have also processed fish farmed at Luke's facility in Laukaa, and have thus tested and confirmed that the Paras Aqua technology really works," said Puranen.
More post-smolt for offshore farming
The investment will enable Nilakkalohi to serve its customers in a more diverse way, while supporting the development of offshore farming in Finland. Offshore facilities, which are very important for the development of Finnish fish production, need larger post-smolts, and the new facility is ideal for producing them.
Nilakkalohi has received investment support for the project from the EU's Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFF) and the Ministry of the Environment's Nutrient Recycling Programme. The European Investment Fund, which specialises in responsible investment in small and medium-sized enterprises, is also supporting the project financing.
Reducing the environmental impact of aquaculture
Paras Aqua is participating in the Ministry of the Environment's Rasi project (Recycling Nutrients in Inland Aquaculture), which is developing a groundbreaking new concept. The goal of the project is to make freshwater aquaculture a net nutrient remover from the perspective of the Baltic Sea.
This goal will be achieved through measures where the nutrients in Baltic herring are removed from the Baltic Sea and used as feed in fish farming. Nutrient residues from the fish farms are then recycled and used in agriculture. Paras Aqua technology enables the necessary sludge handling and concentration that the concept requires – without the use of chemicals.
