Swedish collaboration links clean fuel and fish farming in a circular economy first

Swedish aquaculture company Big Akwa is joining forces with sustainable fuel producer Alby PtX in a new partnership, formalised in a Memorandum of Understanding signed this week, that could see the two companies exchange energy and material flows to boost efficiency and cut environmental impact at a shared site in Alby, Ånge Municipality.

Big Akwa plans to establish a 6,000-tonne-per-year land-based rainbow trout farm next to Alby PtX’s planned "e-Fuel" facility. The proximity offers a unique opportunity to connect the operations: surplus oxygen and waste heat from e-Fuel production could be channelled into the aquaculture system, oxygenating and regulating the fish water while reducing overall energy use. In return, nutrient-rich effluents and organic residues from the fish farm could be processed into bio-based products such as microbial biomass for feed or fertilisers.

For Big Akwa, the project represents a tangible example of how industrial ecosystems can help make aquaculture more sustainable. “Through the integration of Alby PtX’s surplus heat and oxygen, we could turn industrial by-products into valuable resources,” said Elena Petukhovskaya, CEO of Big Akwa. “This partnership demonstrates how collaboration can drive sustainable food production.”

Alby PtX, which is co-owned by Prime Capital and Norsk e-Fuel and supported by RES, is developing an industrial-scale facility to produce sustainable aviation fuel. The company views the partnership as a way to extend the benefits of its green energy infrastructure beyond the energy sector itself.

“We are excited to partner with Big Akwa to explore the potential of industrial symbiosis,” said Lars-Bjørn Larsen, Board Member of Alby PtX. “This collaboration aligns with our commitment to sustainability and innovation.”

Magnus Mattsson, Work Stream Leader at Alby PtX, said the cooperation will play a central role in the vision for the emerging Alby industrial park. “The symbiosis provided will drive energy efficiency and hence support the green transition. It will also create important socioeconomic opportunities in the Ånge region.”

Big Akwa recently announced it had begun the detailed planning stage for its Alby land-based fish farm, having previously signed a land allocation agreement with Ånge Municipality, enabling it to move ahead with planning, financing, and securing the necessary permits for the project. Operations are due to start in 2026, with full capacity anticipated by 2029, the company said.