Ambienta scommette sull’acquacoltura norvegese

Ambienta Sgr, a sustainability-focused investment firm founded by Nino Tronchetti Provera, has acquired four Norwegian aquaculture companies through its Ambienta IV fund. The acquisitions include BioMarine, Flatsetsund Engineering (Fls), Smir, and P/F GroAqua Group, which operates in the Faroe Islands. This acquisition creates an industrial platform that combines the complementary skills of these four companies, including fish health solutions, feed optimization, essential equipment for farm management, and waste treatment systems.

The new group aims to become a reference operator in the Nordic countries, promoting innovation in sustainable aquaculture. With a comprehensive range of offerings and the expertise of these four companies, they will be able to support farmers in reducing their environmental impact, extending their solutions to various species and geographical areas.

Milena Torciano, a partner at Ambienta, noted that aquaculture is one of the most resource-efficient sources of animal protein and can play a crucial role in meeting the food demand of a growing population while respecting planetary limits. BioMarine, FLS, Smir, and GroAqua demonstrate the strong technological characteristics that the firm intends to invest in.

Sverre Taknes, CEO of the platform, added that each of the four companies has built its leadership by responding to the concrete needs of farmers, from feed optimization to oxygen management, parasite control, and biosafety. By combining complementary technologies and strong industry expertise, they are creating a platform capable of offering integrated solutions, accelerating innovation, and fostering wider adoption of proven solutions.

BioMarine, founded in 2000 and based in Surnadal, Norway, specializes in aquaculture technologies, including underwater lighting, water circulation, water oxygenation, environmental monitoring, and shore and land farm protection solutions. Flatsetsund Engineering, based in Kristiansund, Norway, has been around since 1913 and develops technologies to protect fish welfare and improve the efficiency of fish farms.

Their patented system for mechanical removal of sea lice offers an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical and thermal treatments, reducing stress and mortality. Smir, established in 2015 in Langevåg, Norway, provides salmon farming technologies. Their unique system uses water instead of air to transport feed directly to the cages, optimizing its distribution and allowing greater operational flexibility.

Active since 1972 in the Faroe Islands, GroAqua is one of the leading providers of integrated feeding systems for aquaculture. Their solution combines cameras, sensors, feeding equipment, and digital tools to optimize feed distribution, reduce waste, and minimize environmental impact.