AkvaTotal - compact, cost-effective and sustainable large-scale low trophic aquatic production

AkvaTotal has over the last five (5) years developed, tested and patented new equipment and solutions to harvest the sea in a new, controlled, area-effective and sustainable manner. The company is set to boost aquatic production of low trophic species that can enter existing and establish new value chains with end-uses as feed- (e.g., salmon, chicken, pig, dog and cat), food ingredients (human consumption), and raw material supply (e.g., alginate and phosphorus). The AkvaTotal system comprises a patented 3-dimensional installation that can utilize the whole water column. Large quantities of low trophic organisms are given ideal conditions for growth, and there is no need for artificial stimulus or laborious manual intervention. Production takes place throughout the whole year. Harvesting can be timed with seasons and market movements to maximize profits. Significant R&D efforts are behind small-scale deliveries to one of Norway's biggest mills, starting in 2019. So far, the equipment is delivering as expected. We assess the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) to be at 6, while finding arguments also for TRL 7. Upscaling and transition to production in industrial-scale put, however, new and significant demands on the technology, organization and capital sources. The Feasibility Study will summarize tasks and activities related to risk assessment, market study, user involvement, Intellectual Property (IP) management, analysis of regulatory constraints and standards regimes, innovation strategy development, partner search and feasibility of concept assessment. In addition, work during phase 1 is expected to significantly increase the ability to successfully address the EIC Accelerator program in 2020.