Four Icelandic aquaculture firms sign agreement to tackle waste sustainably 

Four of Iceland’s leading land-based aquaculture companies have signed a declaration of intent to cooperate on the sustainable treatment of waste streams from fish farming.

The companies – First Water, Laxey, Samherji Fiskeldi and Thor landeldi – say the agreement represents an important step towards improving environmental practices and strengthening Iceland’s circular economy. 

According to the companies, the collaboration will focus on transforming waste into usable products such as organic fertiliser and biogas. The next stage involves preparing a joint venture to process aquaculture sludge, including the development of a business plan and an assessment of financing requirements over the next two years. The results are due to be presented to the companies’ boards before the end of October 2025. 

The initiative forms part of the Terraforming LIFE project, which is working with partners such as the Icelandic Farmers Association to develop methods for converting fish farm sludge and livestock manure into sustainable resources. The Farmers Association will play a key role in the planning process alongside other stakeholders, the organisation said. 

"This declaration shows that Icelandic aquaculture is ready to join forces and work towards sustainable solutions," said Margrét Ágústa Sigurðardóttir, managing director of the Icelandic Farmers Association. 

"Together with Terraforming LIFE and the Icelandic Farmers Association, this initiative aims to turn waste streams into valuable products and strengthen Iceland’s circular economy. This is a pivotal achievement in aquaculture and an example for others to follow," she added.

The organisations involved said the commitment represents not only progress for the Terraforming LIFE project but also supports the wider goals of the European LIFE programme, which promotes innovative and scalable environmental solutions across Europe.