“The goal is to use the old to produce the new.”
NORCE Norwegian Research Centre
Fish farms generate sludge that can negatively impact marine environments. But sludge isn’t purely a waste product. It’s a resource that can play a potentially revolutionary role in the circular economy.
In the circular economy, resources are kept in use for as long as possible – sometimes in many different forms – to eliminate or minimise waste and pollution. This can positively impact industry, the economy and the environment.
Produced by AQUAPHOENIX project coordinator NORCE (Norwegian Research Centre), who are involved in multiple projects to support and grow the circular economy, the below video explains one potential pathway for aquaculture sludge beyond the pen: as a fertiliser for microalgae, which can produce nutritious fat and protein that can be used as novel fish feed.
Microalgae cultivation is just one possible use of sludge as a circular resource. Over the course of this four-year project, AQUAPHOENIX will test the uses of sludge for manufacturing renewable energy, agricultural biofertiliser and more. These experiments depend, in part, on building symbiosis between diverse industries. With partners hailing from aquaculture, waste management, energy, manufacturing, and more, AQUAPHOENIX is strongly positioned to strengthen connections between different industry players to transform sludge into a viable circular resource with multiple uses.
The video above demonstrates some of NORCE’s competencies within the circular economy and is not made for the AQUAPHOENIX project. For more information about other NORCE projects, please visit https://www.norceresearch.no/en/
