October 5, 2023

First 160 000 fingerlings moved to the Grow Out – all phases of the farming process are again in use


Some of the first fingerlings moved to the restarted Grow Out unit. These fingerlings, hatched in March, now weigh approximately 50 grams.

At Fifax Eckerö facility, a batch of more than 160 000 fish was moved last week from the fingerling unit to the first Grow Out unit that has been restarted. Through the restart of the unit all main phases of the farming process are again in use. In parallel, new solutions that further improve biosecurity and water quality have been taken into use by the company, in line with the investment plan.

The fish which were moved to the Grow Out unit are the ones that have grown the fastest out of the first egg batch received in March. The whole batch has developed in line with targets, and the remaining fish of the batch will be moved to accompany the first ones shortly. The fingerlings hatched from eggs received later during the summer are presently developing well in the first feed- and fingerling units. Yesterday (Wednesday 4 October 2023) we also received the next egg batch of 800 000 pieces at the hatchery.

“Now that we have started the first of our three Grow Out units, all main phases of the farming process of the factory are again in use, from the hatchery through the fingerling unit and to the actual grow out to full size. Technically, we now have 1000-ton capacity in use, and following the further development of the fish stock, we take more capacity into use”, the CEO of Fifax, Samppa Ruohtula, says pleased.

In parallel with the restart of the farming operations, the company has now implemented most of the development investments planned for 2023, with the objective of further improving biosecurity, water quality and farming efficiency.

“We have put significant focus on biosecurity, strengthened the compartmentalization of the facility, and increased the number of hygiene zones. In terms of water treatment, all water pumped from the sea is now treated with ozone already at our pumping station down by the sea, long before the water even arrives inside our fenced factory area, which further heightens biosecurity. In the internal water circulation, we have expanded UV treatment to be a part of every separate water treatment unit. We have also expanded the capacity of the hatchery and first feed unit.”

All of the water in Fifax Recirculating Aquaculture System facility – at full capacity amounting to approximately 25 million liters – is purified every hour. In the circulation process, solid waste, nitrogen, phosphorous and carbon dioxide are continuously removed, the pH and oxygen levels are adjusted, and bacteria and pathogens are combatted. The purpose of all phases of the process is to guarantee optimal growth conditions for the fish.

“The more stable the water quality is, the better the fish does and grows. The impact of the actions implemented this year already look promising from this perspective,” Ruohtula describes the significance of the new investments.

 

June 20, 2023

Fifax’ ramp-up advances – the second egg batch has arrived to Eckerö

Fifax Plc, Web article, 20 June 2023

Fifax celebrated another joyful moment on Tuesday as the second egg batch arrived in Eckerö.

“The eggs landed at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport yesterday, where they were warmly welcomed by our Fish Master Eevertti. After customs clearance, the journey continued to the Turku Harbour, and onwards by ferry to Åland” says Samppa Ruohtula, Fifax’ CEO.

Since the restart of farming operations in March, a total of 1,600,000 eggs have been brought to the Eckerö facility.

“The development of the first batch of eggs has been very good since its arrival in March. We are even slightly ahead of schedule compared to our growth target.”

The first batch has already been transferred from the hatchery and the so-called first feed tanks to the actual fingerling unit, where all tanks are now in use.

During the growing process, planned technical investments have been carried out in both the hatchery and the fingerling unit. These investments are related to water treatment, biosecurity, and the feeding system. The capacity of the hatchery is also increased, and the hatchery space has been expanded during the past 1.5 weeks.

“We implemented the expansion of the space as soon as the last fish were moved from the first feed tanks to the fingerling unit,” Ruohtula explains.

Shift work has been implemented at the facility

The care of eggs and fingerlings now takes place in three shifts around the clock to ensure continuous monitoring of the well-being of the fish. This commitment is already reflected in the further improved water quality and the favorable fingerling growth, which bodes well for future growth.

“The fish from the first batch have already reached a weight of a few grams and have the length of a finger. The growth in this early stage is extremely fast, and it is great to follow the growth.”

The third batch of eggs is expected to arrive in September.

“If everything goes according to plan, the first batch now growing in the fingerling unit will then be moved forward again, and we will start the first of the three actual Grow Out units,” says Ruohtula.

Currently, planned improvements related to biosecurity and the further development of water treatment are being carried out in that particular unit.

Ruohtula is pleased with the progress of the restart.

“It’s fantastic to see more and more tanks in operation. I am proud of our team, who have quickly embraced the new working methods. It is directly visible in the fish’s growth. We will continue from here on a positive note.”

June 4, 2023

Fifax at an aquaculture seminar in Oslo: Emphasizes biosecurity’s vital role and shares unique global insights

Fifax recently attended the Annual Aquaculture Seminar in Oslo on Thursday, 25 May, joining prominent aquaculture companies from around the world that specialize in both conventional and land-based farming. This marked Fifax’s second invitation to the event.

The seminar offered participants a comprehensive overview of the global aquaculture industry, providing an up-to-date assessment. This year’s event centered on long-term seafood trends, emphasizing current limits of supply, the expanding demand, and the industry’s potential to create a positive environmental influence.

One of Fifax strategic objectives is to start the sales of advisory services related to land-based aquaculture and the commercialization of accumulated know-how during 2023.

During the Fifax presentation, the audience expressed significant interest in the company’s unique global experience and expertise in the practical operation and biosecurity of RAS-aquaculture facilities.

CEO Samppa Ruohtula openly addressed the IHN virus incident of 2022, discussing the subsequent sanitation operation and successful restart of operations. Ruohtula emphasized the significance of proactive preparation for biosecurity risks. The complete presentation delivered by Fifax at the seminar is available on the Investors section of the company’s website, under the title Reports and presentations.

“Land-based aquaculture is an emerging industry, and events like these provide a valuable platform for the sector to exchange experiences and enhance awareness of the inherent risks and viable solutions. The recent sanitation operation conducted by Fifax, aimed at eradicating the virus, marks a significant milestone as the world’s first of its kind in a RAS facility, garnering significant interest from industry peers,” stated Ruohtula.

May 10, 2023

European fish health experts learned about Fifax’s farming methods and biosecurity arrangements.

Fifac Plc, News announcement, 3 May 2023

On Wednesday, 3 May 2023, around twenty fish health experts and officials from Northern Europe visited Fifax’s production facility in Eckerö to learn about the company’s fish farming methods and biosecurity arrangements.

As one of the first large-scale recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) facilities in operation in Europe, Fifax’s facility offers a unique window into the practices of land-based fish farming. During the visit, the experts were updated on the company’s operations and goals, and learned extensively about Fifax’s farming methods and biosecurity arrangements.

At the same time, the experts received first-hand information about the world’s first virus sanitation project in a large-scale RAS facility. Some of the group also had the possibility to get a closer look at the controlled hatchery and fingerling unit, where the company’s first fingerling batch after the restart of farming operations is rapidly developing.

”Fifax is one of the pioneers in land-based fish farming in Europe. Our experience in implementing, developing, and overcoming challenges with the RAS system is valuable for the entire industry and therefore of interest to experts from many perspectives. The well-being of the fish is our top priority, and that is why hosting such a knowledgeable group was a very enjoyable task”, says CEO Samppa Ruohtula.

The visit was organized in collaboration with the regional government of Åland and the Finnish Food Authority and was part of the fish health experts’ broader trip to Åland.

March 15, 2023

Fifax: First new egg batch has arrived – fish farming starts ahead of schedule at the Eckerö facility

Fifax Plc, Investor News, 15 March 2023, at 12.15 p.m. EET

Fifax has restarted fish farming operations at the Eckerö RAS facility slightly earlier than planned. The first new batch of eggs arrived at the facility on Tuesday, following the completion of necessary preparations to restart the hatchery after a successful six-week dry period. The fish eggs are now developing in the hatchery basins.

”It is fantastic to see fish growing again at the Eckerö facility. Initiating the hatching process marks the first tangible step in resuming our farming operations. The fish that will develop from the eggs received yesterday will eventually become the first ones we will once again deliver to our customers”, says Samppa Ruohtula, Fifax’ CEO.

During this year, Fifax aims to achieve full production in both the hatchery and fingerling units, initiate the first grow-out unit, and to make investments in increased biosecurity and performance in these units. Production corresponding to full capacity is targeted during the second half of 2024.

The Rights Offering announced earlier is currently ongoing. The subscription period is 8 – 22 March. The Basic information document, Terms and Conditions of the Offering, together with other material related to the offering are available on the Fifax website at the address www.fifax.ax/en/rightsoffering.

For more information:

Samppa Ruohtula
CEO, Fifax Plc
+358 40 559 8812
samppa.ruohtula@fifax.ax

Fifax in brief

Fifax’s vision is to be a forerunner in large-scale sustainable fish farming with a minimal impact on the environment, so that locally and sustainably produced fish can be enjoyed by its customers all year round.

Established in 2012, Fifax utilizes ultra-intensive Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) technology based on the principle of an almost completely closed water circulation within the facility, where the fish live in large land-based indoor tanks. Indoor tanks better safeguard against external factors, and the environmental impact and pollution from the facility is significantly lower when compared to traditional fish farming in water bodies.

FIFAX Plc’s shares have been listed in Nasdaq First North Growth Market Finland.

March 9, 2022

Fifax receives the ASC certificate for sustainable aquaculture as the first farm in Finland

Fifax land-based fish farm in Eckerö has as the first facility in Finland, received the ASC (Aquaculture Stewardship Council) -certificate for sustainable practices in aquaculture.

ASC is the leading global certificate for sustainably farmed fish and is well known both among the industry as well as consumers. The demand for ASC –certified fish is increasing globally, but certified farms are still very rare in the Baltic Sea region.

“Consumers place continuously higher demands regarding sustainability. The importance of ASC-certification has increased during the past years, and in the Western Europe fish markets it’s starting to be very well established. We are the first fish farm in the northern Baltic Sea area to receive this certification, and we believe that it will strengthen the competitiveness of Fifax’ products. At the same time, it is a concrete manifestation of the relentless work that makes us one of the pioneers in land-based aquaculture”, says the Fifax Plc’s CEO Samppa Ruohtula.

ASC is an independent, international non-profit organization founded by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH). ASC is responsible for the leading certification and labelling program for the aquaculture industry, imposing high demands on both environmental and social responsibility.

The Fifax facility, located in Eckerö on Åland Islands, is one of the largest operating RAS (Recirculating Aquaculture System) -facilities in Europe. Rainbow trout farmed with Fifax’s ultra-intensive implementation of RAS technology, provides an environmentally friendly production alternative to conventional fish farming methods. Fish farmed by Fifax does not contain antibiotics or other chemicals, and it has an exceptional texture with a firm yet tender structure. Fifax supplies its customers with fresh rainbow trout in whole, gutted form.

For more information:
Samppa Ruohtula
CEO, Fifax Plc
+358 40 559 8812
samppa.ruohtula@fifax.ax

Fifax’s vision is to be a forerunner in large-scale sustainable fish farming with a minimal impact on the environment, so that locally and sustainably produced fish can be enjoyed by its customers all year round.
Established in 2012, Fifax utilizes ultra-intensive Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) technology based on the principle of an almost completely closed water circulation within the facility, where the fish live indoors in large onshore pools. Indoor pools provide more safeguards against external factors compared to traditional fish farming in water bodies.

The end product (adult slaughtered fish), is transported with the help of logistics partners to fish processors and wholesalers in Åland, mainland Finland and Sweden.
Fifax Plc’s shares have been listed in Nasdaq First North Growth Market Finland.

November 30, 2021

Fifax’s customer deliveries reached a milestone of one million kilos of gutted fish

Fifax, a forerunner in sustainable fish farming, reached an important milestone on the 29th of November 2021 when we delivered the millionth kilo of sustainably farmed, gutted rainbow trout to our customers from our Eckerö production facility, counted cumulatively from the start of our operations.

Fifax’s production facility, located in Eckerö on Åland Islands, is one of the largest operational land-based fish farming facilities in Northern Europe. The facility highlights Fifax’s unique position as a forerunner in sustainable fish farming. Reaching the milestone of delivering one million kilos, in cumulative terms, confirms the operative readiness of the facility and its employees, in addition to the market need for sustainably produced fish.

“It is often said that the first million is the hardest. Reaching the million-kilo milestone is a great achievement for all of us, and I am very proud of the whole Fifax team. The demand for sustainably farmed fish continues its strong growth. To meet this demand, we continue to ramp-up our production and invest in increasing our production capacity even further”, says Samppa Ruohtula, the CEO of Fifax.

Rainbow trout farmed with Fifax’s ultra-intensive implementation of RAS technology, provides an environmentally friendly production alternative to conventional fish farming methods. Fish farmed by Fifax does not contain antibiotics or other chemicals, and it has an exceptional texture with a firm yet tender structure. Fifax supplies its customers with fresh rainbow trout in whole, gutted form.

For more information:
Samppa Ruohtula
CEO, Fifax Plc
+358 40 559 8812
samppa.ruohtula@fifax.ax

Fifax’s vision is to be a forerunner in large-scale sustainable fish farming with a minimal impact on the environment, so that locally and sustainably produced fish can be enjoyed by its customers all year round.

Established in 2012, Fifax utilizes ultra-intensive Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) technology based on the principle of an almost completely closed water circulation within the facility, where the fish live indoors in large onshore pools. Indoor pools provide more safeguards against external factors compared to traditional fish farming in water bodies.

The end product (adult slaughtered fish), is transported with the help of logistics partners to fish processors and wholesalers in Åland, mainland Finland and Sweden.

Fifax Plc’s shares have been listed in Nasdaq First North Growth Market Finland.

October 15, 2021

Fifax announces the final results of its First North initial public offering

Fifax entered a new era on October 25th, when trading with its shares began on the Nasdaq Helsinki First North marketplace. A new milestone in the company’s growth journey begins with 1,100 new shareholders.

Read the full release of the IPO here:

https://fifax.ax/en/ipo

October 5, 2021

Fifax participated Helsinki Baltic Herring Market

This year, Fifax participated in Helsinki Baltic Herring Market as a partner together with the Zer0 ° emission sailing vessel and its crew.

The crew of the Zer0 ° emission is sailing against marine pollution, and this year Fifax also wanted to be involved in supporting the Herring Market and efforts for a cleaner Baltic Sea. The Baltic Sea is one of the most polluted seas in the world. In the market, we tasted visitors to Fifax’s own rainbow trout imported from Åland on an emission-free sail. We made delicious salmon soup for the visitors together with the kitchen of the Brandö Seglare boat club.

We also got to enjoy the delicacies of other local and traditional fishermen and operators.

Pictures from the event:

September 22, 2021

Fifax is planning an initial public offering and listing on Nasdaq First North Growth Market Finland

Fifax has announced its future plans, goals and intention to list its shares on the Nasdaq First North marketplace. The purpose of the offering is to support the implementation of Fifax’s growth strategy, increase brand awareness and increase the general interest of investors, business partners and customers of Fifax. Read the release about the details of the IPO and the goals in full here:

https://fifax.ax/en/ipo