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Mitsubishi Corporation Invests in Finnish RAS Farming Company to Explore Trout Business Model

FINLAND
Wednesday, November 13, 2024, 08:00 (GMT + 9)

Mitsubishi Corporation (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Katsuya Nakanishi) has made a strategic investment in Finnish aquaculture company Finnforel, which specializes in farming trout salmon (rainbow trout) using a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS).

Finnforel publicly announced the investment on October 24th, while Mitsubishi Corporation highlighted that this move aligns with its goal to explore various business models for assessing the long-term viability of RAS-based aquaculture.

The primary aim of this investment is to support a sustainable, efficient, and eco-friendly method of producing fish locally, enhancing food security while minimizing environmental impact. Finnforel’s approach centers around its innovative “Gigafactory” concept, integrating environmentally conscious fish farming and processing under a single roof, enabling industrial-scale production with high efficiency and sustainability.

Finnforel, a leading Finnish aquaculture technology company, will leverage Mitsubishi Corporation’s (MC) investment to accelerate the global expansion of its land-based fish farming projects. With this support, Finnforel aims to advance its rainbow trout farming operations, a species well-suited to RAS. These advanced systems allow for the precise control of essential environmental conditions through biofiltration, ensuring stable, clean, and efficient year-round fish production. This closed-loop process effectively recirculates water, achieving zero biowaste and minimal wastewater output.

The Gigafactory model encompasses fish processing and packaging onsite, minimizing the logistics chain and transportation time, thereby delivering fish products at peak freshness and reduced cost. Additionally, this approach supports local food systems and substantially reduces the carbon footprint associated with long-haul transport.

Founded in 2015, Finnforel currently operates RAS facilities in Finland, with an annual production capacity of 3,000 tons. The company’s vertically integrated operations—from hatchery to farming and packaging—enhance efficiency and scalability, supporting its goal to significantly expand production globally by 2032.

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