SalMar signs contract for world’s biggest smolt plant
Norwegian salmon farmer SalMar has signed a contract with recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) specialist Krüger Kaldnes AS for the construction of the world’s largest smolt facility.
Construction is scheduled for May 2021, at the Tjuin industrial site near the former mining village of Malm, north of Trondheim in Trøndelag county. With a total area of 17,000 square metres, the fish hatchery will be the world’s largest smolt plant, Krüger Kaldnes said in a press release.
The company, part of French water management, waste management and energy services giant Veolia, has previously supplied the technology and expertise for SalMar’s large Follafoss hatchery.
Proud and grateful
“I am both proud and grateful that Krüger Kaldnes was chosen to be a supplier in the Tjuin project, along with (construction partner) Consto,” said chief executive Kent Kongsdal Rasmussen, who added that Krüger Kaldnes had spent recent years improving and adding to its level of expertise.
“The fact that SalMar has chosen us to be a supplier in the Tjuin project is confirmation that we have succeeded in strengthening our company in several important areas.”
The company’s process manager, Christian Rønning, said: “SalMar’s new hatchery in Tjuin confirms the impression I have gathered through my ten years in Krüger Kaldnes, which is that land-based facilities are becoming larger and increasingly complex.
More than RAS
“Smolt facilities like the Tjuin project involve so much more than RAS technology. Biology, control systems, automation and cost-efficiency are more important than ever. Also, larger facilities require more complexity and flawless synergies between various parts of the production process.
“As a team of specialists, we are truly excited about getting started with this challenging project, in which Kaldnes’ RAS system is at the heart of the facility.”
SalMar’s project manager, Jon Ivar Hovd, said: “We had a very good collaboration with Krüger Kaldnes in connection with the establishment of SalMar Follafoss. We now take these good experiences and chemistry with us into the Tjuin project.”
