Aqua-Partners ApS was founded in 1996, initially doing design and consultancy services on marine hatcheries and hatchery technology. Initially a follow up of the great success with the new hatchery technology for marine fish fry, which Dr. Bent Urup had had developed in the early nineties, first applied at Maximus A/S.

Within two years of its startup, Maximus became the dominant producer of marine fish fry in Europe, such as turbot, thanks to this technology

RAS technology for seawater soon became an increasing business segment, and Aqua-Partners ApS was the first company to develop RAS design specifically designed for Seawater, overcoming the principal issues on bicarbonate accumulation, which is still causing problems in the industry in general, where the issues have been neglected in the design.

There was an increasing demand to supply not just knowhow and design for new installations, but also complete RAS installations. Then in 2003 UNI-Aqua A/S was born as a sister company to supply the installations based on the concepts developed in Aqua-Partners ApS.

Within 5 years Uni-Aqua A/S became the biggest player and technology leader within RAS technology.  And the only company with proven solid technology for Seawater RAS.

In 2008 the company was sold to Norwegian AKVAgroup, to complement AKVAgroups cage farming technology with land based RAS technology.

Soon after UNI-Aqua A/S was renamed AKVAgroup land based A/S

With the sale of UNI-Aqua A/S to the AKVA group, Aqua-Partners ApS once again became an independent consultant operation, assisting individual companies, as well as global players developing projects for fish farming.

The principal focus still on RAS farming technology for marine fish species. Especially Yellow tail kingfish, Steelhead Salmon, Tuna, Groupers and Turbot.

Now recently in 2024 Aqua-Partners ApS have entered in a close cooperation with NIRAS, a medium-large company with engineering skills and expertise second to none. 

The RAS technology knowhow from Aqua-Partners Aps has been transferred to NIRAS, together with some key design staff, and onwards the technical design of new facilities will take place mainly from inside NIRAS, while Aqua-Partners ApS typically will be on the sideline for support on overall project planning, design review and quality control, further Aqua-Partners ApS may assist on operation, training and hands on production supervision.

In addition, Aqua-Partners ApS in cooperation with a group of long-term business partners can offer to do the RAS technology/equipment delivery, based on designs elaborated by NIRAS, when desired by the client – always on cost plus agreements.

The technologies developed in Aqua-Partners ApS have successfully been applied in many installations all over the world for RAS production of fish in seawater, including bluefin tuna, turbot, Seriola, halibut, cod, salmon, trout and sole.