Economy

Norwegian aquaculture technology firm Fiizk has secured a significant contract with Mowi, one of the world’s largest salmon producers, to deliver four closed-containment systems. The deal, announced Friday, marks a turning point for Fiizk following a period of financial difficulty, according to company leadership.

“We have re-established ourselves as the leading technology provider for closed containment systems,” said Jan Erik Kvingedal, CEO of Fiizk, in a statement. The company is slated to double Mowi’s capacity for closed-containment aquaculture, bringing the total to 320,000 cubic meters.

Fiizk has already delivered and deployed two of its “Protectus” systems this winter, which Kvingedal reports are performing well. The additional four systems are destined for Mowi operations in Western Norway. The company has as well expanded its production capacity to meet increasing demand for closed systems, according to Kvingedal.

The contract comes as the aquaculture industry experiences renewed investment following the introduction of a ground rent tax in 2023, which initially dampened investment enthusiasm. While the tax remains in effect, Kvingedal noted a shift in the industry’s outlook. “We clearly noticed it when the tax came in,” he said. “But now we see that the industry wants to move forward.”

This award is supported by recently introduced government incentives, signaling a new phase of maturity for the closed aquaculture system market, according to Fiizk. Nekkar, an industrial technology group, currently owns 39 percent of Fiizk and holds an option to acquire the remaining shares.

Jan Erik Kvingedal assumed the role of CEO at Fiizk in 2025, bringing with him extensive experience in the aquaculture supplier industry. Prior to joining Fiizk, he held positions at ScaleAQ, Mowi, and Bewi. He has over 25 years of experience in the aquaculture industry.

The increased activity in the market for closed systems is a positive development for Fiizk, which has faced turbulent times in recent years, including a collapse of two closed containment systems in Sognefjorden in November 2022.

More than 150 people in the Netherlands have reported infections and, in some cases, lasting damage to their ears after receiving piercings at LM Piercings in Coevorden, a town in the province of Drenthe. The infections are linked to a self-made salt spray used for aftercare, which was found to be contaminated with bacteria.

The first signals of a problem reached the GGD Drenthe (municipal health service) in late 2024, following reports from Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) doctors of a surge in patients presenting with unusual ear infections. The GGD subsequently tested samples of the salt spray produced by LM Piercings owner Leon Bothof. According to GGD-arts Siem Looijen, the majority of tested bottles contained bacterial growth. “People were essentially spraying water with bacteria into a fresh piercing, allowing the bacteria to grow,” Looijen stated to RTV Drenthe.

LM Piercings owner Leon Bothof claims he had been producing the spray for six years, in consultation with the GGD, and that previous inspections had always approved of the aftercare method. “We always indicated during each inspection that the aftercare involved using salt spray. The GGD always approved this,” Bothof told RTV Drenthe. However, the GGD disputes this account, stating they advised Bothof to switch to a different spray in March 2024. Bothof continued to offer the self-made spray until late January 2026, when the RIVM (National Institute for Public Health and the Environment) informed him of the bacterial contamination, at which point he removed it from sale.

The infections reported by customers range in severity from redness and itching to prolonged pain, inflammation, and, in some instances, permanent damage. Fourteen-year-ancient Lisa Doldersum from Hardenberg required hospital treatment after receiving a helix piercing at LM Piercings in December 2024. She described the piercing process as rough and experienced significant bleeding. Her doctor advised immediate removal of the piercing and prescribed antibiotics. Another fourteen-year-old, Tess, has been left with a misformed ear as a result of the infection, according to RTL Nieuws.

Bothof expressed his distress over the situation, stating to NOS, “This is just unbelievable, it deeply affects my wife and me.” He acknowledged reports of infections occurring before the GGD’s control, but suggested these may have had different causes, stating that infections can occur with any piercing, but that infections with “green, smelly pus” were not seen before November.

As of February 15, 2026, the GGD Drenthe has registered over 150 complaints. The health service continues to investigate the extent of the contamination and is working to support affected individuals. The RIVM has not yet released a comprehensive report on the specific bacteria found in the spray, and the long-term health consequences for those infected remain unclear.