A new, specialist facility is set to become an oasis for aquaculture business and research, thanks to its unique ability to pump a constant supply of warm seawater direct to its privately equipped aqua laboratories. Tropical temperature seawater is not something that you would typically expect to find on the UK’s North Sea coast.
The Astec Business & Science Centre in Lyne Sands, Northumberland, taps into seawater warmed by a neighbouring power station. The water is filtered to 1 micron and UV treated, before being pumped into the centre’s eight private aqua laboratories; equipped to support a broad range of commercial and research activities.
Astec, as the UK’s first aquaculture business incubator centre, also delivers a bespoke package of support and technical advice, designed to cater to the diverse needs of both start-up and more established aquaculture businesses.
They offer scalable, customisable laboratory, office and outdoor test bed and production space. It also provides onsite business mentoring, guidance on funding and access to a technical support group of industry peers, a major benefit for fledgling businesses. As a private sector SME, any company partnering with Astec could find themselves at an advantage when applying for funding, due to the centres network of specialist industry support and links with the wider scientific community.
As well as providing a permanent base for aquaculture businesses, Astec also provides the ideal location for collaborative partners who want to use the facilities for a specific research project or on a short-term basis.
Professor Grant Burgess of the Dove Marine Laboratory commented; “We have several early stage projects which we may be able to commercialise over the next 12 months. As the UK’s first aquaculture incubator, Astec will draw aquaculture companies to the region, to take advantage of the fantastic facilities, year round warm seawater and nearby expertise and advice”
Benefits for aquaculture businesses
- Plug in and go’ minimal initial outlay and start-up costs and flexible terms
- A supportive, ‘incubator’ environment for fledgling businesses with onsite mentoring and technical support
- Easy expansion with scalable space that can be customised to meet your individual business needs
- Individual and customisable aqua laboratories, with 24/7 secure site access give the privacy and flexibility not possible with communal facilities
- Specialist equipment and facilities to support a broad range of research projects
- Private, outdoor test beds
You can also check out the company’s website at www.astecaquaculture.com
This blog is written by Martin Little, The Aquaculturists, published and supported by the International Aquafeed Magazine from Perendale Publishers
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