Aberdeenshire-based steel and cladding company KR Group has secured a third contract with Norwegian company Nofitech to provide steel and cladding for the final phase of a new recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) at Applecross in the Northwest Highlands. 

The project is due to commence in the coming weeks at the Wester Ross site which has received GBP 49 million investment from the Scottish Salmon Company (SSC) in a move to transform the approach to salmon farming. The three contracts have generated in the region of GBP 3 million for Newburgh-based construction and engineering business KR Group.

Nofitech designs and builds complete RAS facilities for both fresh and seawater. RAS is a closed and environmentally-friendly production system, which utilises the water sources better than traditional flow-through and re-use facilities, resulting in lower environmental footprint and preventing fish from being infected.

“I am incredibly proud of our diligent team who have been working in Wester Ross through all weather conditions constructing the first two RAS buildings and helping to bring this vision to life,” KR Group Business Director Nicola Fraser said.

“Being part of this project from start to finish has been immensely rewarding for KR Group, knowing that we have contributed to a larger sustainability story. A key focus for our business is sustainability and we have several initiatives in place to ensure that we are playing our part in caring for the environment. This includes our on-site wormery and rainwater harvesting system, as well as achieving carbon neutral certification.”

KR Group holds ISO 14001 and PAS 2060 accreditation, in addition to having its own sustainability division KR Bon Reduction, which invites businesses to donate used composite panels/PIR board to be repurposed at the group’s Newburgh facility. The division aims to repurpose over 200,000-square metres of panels by 2026.

KR Group

KR Group

Nicola Fraser, Business Director and Kenny Roberston, Managing Director, KR Group