Billund Aquaculture secures new investors

Billund, Denmark-based recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) supplier Billund Aquaculture Group has landed new investments, with a Norwegian group taking a major stake in the business.

Behind the new shareholders are three Norwegian families with significant and long-standing interests in the aquaculture industry. They are the Refsnes family, who own part of the salmon producer Refsnes Laks and are the founders of Columbi Salmon; the Lofsnæs family, who owns the salmon producer Bjørøya; and the Rasmussen family, who have major investments in real estate and the software industry. 

According to Billund, these new investors will strengthen its operations worldwide, including in the Norwegian market, where the company has developed smolt and post-smolt projects for more than 15 years.

"We are thrilled to join forces with these new major partners and look forward to exploring together all the opportunities that the growing RAS market can offer. We fully commit to delivering the best solutions and to build a more sustainable and efficient aquaculture industry," Billund Aquaculture Group CEO Christian Sørensen said.

Under the new ownership structure, 35 percent of all shares will be held by Havbruksparken Utvikling AS and 13 percent by Okapi Salmon AS.

Havbruksparken Utvikling AS is also the majority owner of Aqua Kompetanse AS, a company that provides consulting services to the aquaculture industry.

"Bringing these experienced players into our company is very positive news, especially considering the vast know-how they have gathered in the aquaculture business over the years. Furthermore, our new ownership puts us in a very strong long-term financial position that will help keep us at the forefront of the global market for the development of large-scale RAS projects," Sørensen said.

Director of Investments Pål Berg said the new investors will help the company realize new opportunities.

"We are excited about investing in Billund Aquaculture together with the Sørensen family,” Berg said. The world's need to produce protein in a sustainable manner means the future of the RAS industry is very promising. Billund Aquaculture is the most-skilled and -experienced supplier to explore those opportunities."  

Photo courtesy of Billund Aquaculture