Stingray directs ‘laser focus’ on second factory

Lice laser pioneer Stingray Marine Solutions said it has completed construction of its second factory in Norway, adjacent to its existing plant.

The building will help the company further increase production to meet demand from “several large aquaculture customers”, said co-founder and CEO John Arne Breivik in a LinkedIn post.

Stingray’s technology removes salmon lice using cameras, advanced software, and a targeted laser which is controlled by artificial intelligence.

Salmon pens

In the ten years or so since its commercial launch, more than 2,000 lasers have been produced and are deployed in salmon pens across Norway, with Mowi and Cermaq among Stingray’s customers.

The new factory in Stålfjæra, Groruddalen, Oslo, is almost twice as big as the initial 2,200 square metre facility, built two years ago.

“Work will now start on getting tools, equipment, robots and other things in place throughout the summer, so that we are ready to start production from August,” said Breivik. “In other words, it will be a few hectic summer months in Stingray."

Build purposefully

Breivik said Stingray was not present at Seafood Expo Global in Barcelona or at HavExpo near Bergen this year, because of its "laser focus" on the new factory.

“We are proud to be able to build our company purposefully further and would like to thank all our 275 colleagues in Team Stingray for their efforts so far this year and that we can make this possible at all.”

Danish company Novo Holdings purchased a majority stake in Stingray in October 2024, providing the company with financial security and long-term stability.

A peer reviewed study last year, involving a research team from Stingray in collaboration with the University of Bergen, found that locations that rely on lasers to combat sea lice significantly reduce the need for reactive delousing.