Fishing and aquaculture gear recycler Nofir has broken its own record with its 2024 totals, exceeding the figures for 2023, was were also a record year.
‘Both we and the blue industries have chosen to invest heavily in green value chains. That work is paying off, and the result is that once again more fishing and farming equipment is being recycled than ever before,’ said Øistein Aleksandersen, who founded Nofir in 2008.
Over five years, Nofir has increased the quantities of fishing and aquaculture equipment handled by an impressive 170%. For 2024, the total quantity came to 8521 tonnes.
‘We certainly didn’t think a new record would be possible for a long time,’ Øistein Aleksandersen said, commenting that of these 8521 tonnes, 6510 tonnes were recycled materials. This represents an increase of 5.85% over the previous year.
‘More and more can be recycled into new filaments and then into new products, which are used by well-known brands, from Gucci and BMW to Norrøna and Ege Tepper. We believe that it is these examples that people can recognise that are important for achieving the green shift,’ he said.
Despite challenging times with economic turmoil and rising prices, as well as EU requirements for producer responsibility schemes, waste exports and new border crossing regulations, Nofir has its high expectations and is faith in the future. In 2024, two new employees joined the staff, and subsidiary company Profa was established to address the industry’s upcoming producer responsibility requirements.
‘Expenses are increasing at all levels, but in terms of income, it balances out by recycling more and collaborating more closely with players throughout the value chain. We are taking a long-term view and are optimistic on our own behalf, and on behalf of the green transition in the blue industries,’ Øistein Aleksandersen said.
‘But there’s still a long way to go. For long-life plastics, we can recycle almost everything, but this requires us to work even more closely together. The last five years have shown that it is possible, and neither we nor the industry will give up here.’
