Multigen Akva, a Norwegian technology company, has unveiled a new modular recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) designed for closed farming at sea. The system aims to bring aquaculture back to sheltered coastal areas previously underused due to limitations of traditional methods.
Founded in 2022, the company is led by Kristoffer Høyning and Ole Marius Rostad. The RAS technology uses ultrafiltration to purify incoming water, removing viruses and bacteria. The system is scalable and can be expanded with additional modules to meet production needs. The technology is designed to operate in sheltered coastal areas with depths ranging from 7 to 45 meters, using less than 5% of the space required by open cages.
The company’s anchoring solution stabilizes the structures against tides, preventing internal wave formation and reducing operational risks. Multigen claims its system offers more efficient use of space compared to open cages and land-based systems, which require 20-30% more area.
Multigen is focusing on sustainability, with a zero-emissions approach. Organic waste is collected, and wastewater is purified before being returned to the environment. The company is working with the Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy to develop circular value chains for residual materials.
The company is currently seeking locations to test the technology, with an initial focus on cod farming in Ytre Austpollen, Nordland. Multigen has presented its concept to the municipal council in Vågan, which has shown interest in the project.
Høyning estimates that the system could offer reduced costs and energy consumption compared to land-based farms, utilizing water more efficiently and requiring fewer resources. The technology is also designed to provide optimal growth conditions for fish, improving health and production.
Multigen Akva’s system is positioned as a sustainable and scalable solution for the aquaculture industry, with the potential to expand into new areas and species, including salmon farming.
