SAKLAS is a disruptive Recirculating Aquaculture concept (RAS) design for sustainable farming of Atlantic Salmon (AS) and Yellowtail Kingfish (YK). The SAKLAS concept can cut investment and operational costs by 20-30% and offer profit margins between 30-40%. The investment payoff arrives in higher biomass densities (80-90 kg/m3) with lower mortality rates (8%) and reduced environmental impact (e.g. P release: 1.5 mg in 100 m3/h outlet water). These numbers make SAKLAS a highly competitive concept with significant risk mitigation to enable profitable production.
This Feasibility Study aimed to verify the viability of implementing SAKLAS into the land-based farming segment of AS and YK.
The main result of our study is that it is evident that SAKLAS is feasible from a technical, practical, and economic point of view for both fish species – as shown by the analysis of the competitor landscape, market prices and demand, the technical design and engineering actions already carried out by NAF, the in-depth analysis of our logistics, the approval of our production licenses by the Danish and Norwegian Authorities, and the high interest shown in our products by clients (with whom we have signed commercial agreements ensuring full production sales already in the first year of commercialisation). Planning is complete for a 2,400 MT AS facility in Fredrikstad (NO) and a 1,200 MT YK facility in Hanstholm (DK), as well as cost estimations, negotiation of offers from suppliers, financing processes and execution plans. Construction permits have been issued by local authorities.
Our Feasibility Study has resulted in a definitive “GO decision” to pursue this business opportunity, which since Phase 1 proposal preparation has received additional funding covering the full implementation of our farming concept. However, we now see the opportunity to bring forward new design innovations in our production by leveraging our experience with facility development, fish farming and innovation. They will bring reductions in CAPEX of approx. €3-4m in the next expansion stage, while being fundamental for NAF’s future expansion strategy (i.e. scale-up current production output to 8,000-10,000 MT/year) and internationalisation. Therefore, NAF’s executive team has made the strategic decision of driving the scope of our Phase 2 project in this direction, to enable and sustain NAF’s competitive advantage and growth.
