Granite^® HDXtreme provides a robust environment for sustainable Flatlantic flatfish farm

To meet sustainability requirements on an exposed site, Granite^® HDXtreme from ArcelorMittal Europe – Flat Product is being used for roofing and cladding panels. The robust organic coating is ideal for corrosion resistance in a site on the Atlantic coast that pumps seawater into its buildings to sustain the fish.

Flatlantic is the second largest producer of flatfish in Europe and the leading aquaculture company in Portugal. Its 40-hectare site, close to the fishing village of Praia de Mira, produces more than 3,500 tonnes of flatfish a year.

The Flatlantic site is close to the fishing village of Praia de Mira.

 “Over the next two decades we plan to expand production across an additional 22 hectares,” explains Flatlantic Project Manager Danilo Pinto.  “With new buildings and improved solar and wind energy generation, we will be increasing production to 10,000 tons of sole and 7,000 tons of turbot.”

The new buildings will be modular with two floors of fishtanks to maximise efficiency. In the meantime, Flatlantic are upgrading and refurbishing eight existing buildings.

Solar panels are part of the company plan to generate 40 megawatts of electricity.

Sustainability, a key ethos of the company.

Praia de Mira has had a Blue Flag since 1987. “Seastainability means optimising animal health and welfare, prioritising energy conservation and renewable energy generation,” Pinto explains.

Flatlantic is certified for GLOBAL GAP and IFS Food, meeting rigorous international standards for food safety, quality and responsible production and minimising their carbon footprint.

“Part of our seastainability culture also means using better materials which last longer, and Granite^® HDXtreme steel offers market leading corrosion resistance,” explains Pinto.

With buildings just 500 metres from the Atlantic coast and pumping seawater 24/7, Granite^® HDXtreme has been selected for both the new and refurbished buildings. The existing sandwich panel technology for the roofs is being replaced by a deck type roofing with a waterproof membrane on the outside skin, insulation and Granite^® HDXTreme as the inner skin.

An important aspect of Granite^® HDXtreme is the absence of rugosity – the smooth surface is easy to clean.

The panels and the profiles are fabricated by Portuguese FTB specialist in mineral wool sandwich panels. They are being installed by local contractors under the instruction of engineering project managers SOPSEC.

“We bring the sea inside our buildings, and we have earned the trust of Portugal and Europe with the quality of our fish that are raised efficiently and ethically with the water of the Atlantic Ocean,” says Pinto. “We don’t really care about looking sustainable, we just want to be sustainable.”