Nekkar — Environmental & Social Information 2021

Mar 24, 2021

Nekkar starts ocean testing of "Starfish" closed fish cage

Nekkar starts ocean testing of "Starfish" closed fish cage

24.3.2021 08:30:01 CET | Nekkar ASA | Non-regulatory press releases

March 24, 2021 - Nekkar ASA (Nekkar) has successfully commenced ocean testing of

its highly innovative "Starfish" closed fish cage at Hidra outside Flekkefjord,

Norway.

"Nekkar aims to develop disruptive technologies that offer high sustainability

impact solutions for the aquaculture industry. Starfish is the first example of

this approach. We are excited about the forthcoming ocean testing and the future

opportunities this may present," says Preben Liltved, CEO of Nekkar.

Starfish is a fully automated, closed fish cage solution that is digitally and

remotely managed. At the heart of the system is a software platform for remote

surveillance, data acquisition, bioanalytics, and production control.

The combination of disruptive technologies and automation sensor legacy will be

building blocks for future SaaS offerings from Nekkar in the aquaculture sector.

Further, Starfish has been designed to reduce environmental impact and operating

expenditure to a minimum. It has double protection against escapes, avoids

problems with salmon lice due to water intake from deep waters below the cage,

and collects up to 90 percent of biological waste. It is produced in soft

materials, is recyclable, and designed to optimise logistics. It also pinpoints

Nekkar's contribution to circular economy and sustainability.

Nekkar has cooperated with Lerøy Seafood ASA from the beginning of the Starfish

development work, and the project is supported by Innovation Norway.

The downscaled pilot version has now been filled with seawater, and the

"Starfish" will commence the ocean testing period towards summertime.

"The idea behind Starfish is to reduce OPEX level dramatically for the fish

farming industry, while simultaneously improve fish welfare and focusing on

circular economy. We look forward to verifying the technical and operational

parameters of the solution before we start preparations for testing with biomass

later this year," says Mette Harv, executive vice president of Nekkar's

Aquaculture business area.

In both Norway and parts of Canada there is a political drive towards closed

caged fish farming. Authorities view closed fish cages as a potential solution

to solve major environmental and sustainability challenges such as sea lice,

escapes, and mortality rate.

"Today there are around 4,000 open cages in Norway. Closed cages will open up

additional locations. This illustrates the market potential for Starfish," adds

Mette Harv.

The foundation of Nekkar's business is world class engineering, electrification,

automation, and digitalisation competence and heritage from the drilling

industry in Kristiansand which is the DNA in the company's digital solutions

business area. Nekkar aims to apply this competence as levers to develop

disruptive technologies that can make high-growth industry sectors - such as

aquaculture - even more sustainable, productive, and profitable.

ENDS

DISCLAIMER

This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section

5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

CONTACTS

* Mette Harv, EVP Aquaculture, +47 906 76 544

* Preben Liltved, CEO, +47 480 62 691, IR@Nekkar.com

ABOUT NEKKAR ASA

Nekkar (OSE: NKR) is an industrial technology group offering impact technologies

combined with high-end software solutions. The group combines 50 years' heritage

from the world's number one shiplift company, Syncrolift, with new investments

into sustainable, digitalised technology businesses that aim to unlock growth

within ocean-based industries such as offshore energy and renewables and

aquaculture.

Visit nekkar.com - http://nekkar.com and connect with us on LinkedIn(

https://www.linkedin.com/company/nekkar-asa)

ATTACHMENTS

Picture Starfish.pdf -

https://kommunikasjon.ntb.no/ir-files/17847326/411/513/Picture%20Starfish.pdf