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EcoSea, the Chile based manufacturer of copper mesh cages for use in aquaculture systems, announced that it intends to enter the Northern European market beginning with Norway and Scotland. The company expects to install its first 40 cages in Norway by 2013, generating revenues of US$15M. EcoSea is also dealing with Marine Harvest, a global leader in fish farming, who have agreed to install a fish farming complex using copper mesh cages in Scotland. To date, EcoSea has used 1000t of copper, however, its accumulated total use of copeer is expected to rise to 5,000t in the coming years.

A pilot programme launched by the International Copper Association (ICA) and copper miner Codelco has tested the use of copper cages in salmon farming. According to a joint statement of the two organisations, it was the first time that about 60,000 salmon were harvested in copper cages. The programme was part of a wider plan of the two organisations which looks for new markets for copper. Codelco said that the use of copper benefits salmon farming because of its antimicrobial properties. The programme showed that there was a decrease in salmon mortality and better oxygenation in specimens.

It is expected that copper products and copper alloy products will be applied to water tanks on the ground in addition to floating fish cages in cultivating fish.Study on the effect of application of

It is expected that the commercialization of copper alloy materials for use in fish cages will gain momentum more

According to MarketWatch, copper semis fabricators are increasingly looking at supplying niche markets as a result of stagnating demand for more traditional copper semis products and pressure from substitute materials. For example, Luvata, a leading copper semis fabricator, is increasingly focusing on promoting uniquely thin and flexible copper wire utilised in efficient solar panels, as well as, anti-fowling wire for cages utilised by the fishing industry. Other fast growing markets that utilise niche copper semis products include oil and gas exploration, mining and wind generation.

Chilean copper producer Codelco expects that new uses of copper, mainly related to its antimicrobial capacity, will boost world demand by 300,000t/y within the next eight years. Potential end use sectors include copper fiber clothes, copper mesh cages for fish farming, and copper surfaces in health care centres and public transport. Codelco participates in development programmes which aim to promote the benefits of using copper.

"Fish farming holds tremendous promise in responding to surging demand for food which is taking place due to global population growth, the report says."