MAT-KULING’s CRAS Technology Drives Next-Generation Barramundi Hatchery in Saudi Arabia
MAT-KULING has been developing, since the 2025 agreement signature, a major hatchery project for FBU-NAQUA Barramundi Hatchery in Al Lith, Saudi Arabia, which has now officially moved into the procurement, supply, and construction phase. The company will deliver Compact Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (CRAS), providing advanced hatchery solutions tailored for large-scale fry production.
Designed to produce up to 40 million barramundi (Lates calcarifer) fry annually, the project follows a strong, efficiency-driven, and biosecure system philosophy, ensuring both performance and reliability from the earliest stages of development.
A Fully Integrated Hatchery Concept
The project includes four broodstock systems, three larval rearing systems, and dedicated live feed production systems for Rotifers and Artemia, all carefully engineered to work as one cohesive unit. This integrated approach demonstrates how MAT-KULING’s CRAS technology supports reliable production, efficient use of space, and high operational control within a single, fully coordinated hatchery environment.
The FBU-NAQUA Hatchery sets a strong benchmark for modern hatchery development in the region, highlighting MAT-KULING’s ability to deliver large-scale, high-performance aquaculture infrastructure in demanding conditions.
Engineering Depth and Infrastructure Excellence
More than just system supply, the project reflects a comprehensive engineering scope. The hatchery includes 85 pre-fabricated tanks of various sizes, all designed and built by MAT-KULING, reinforcing the company’s capability to deliver complete and highly specialized infrastructure under one engineering umbrella. By combining in-house engineered thermoplastic tank solutions with advanced system design, MAT-KULING ensures durability, process compatibility, and consistent engineering quality across the entire facility.
The hatchery is further supported by advanced feeding technologies and PLC-based automation with HMI interfaces, enabling reliable, precise, and user-friendly process control. Through the integration of compact system design, advanced water treatment, independent recirculation loops, and strict biosecurity zoning, the facility is optimized for stability, performance, and long-term sustainability.
Facility Scale with Smart Design
With a main building area of 3,412 m² and a total construction area of 4,143 m², the hatchery is designed not only for scale but for efficiency at every operational level. Each component of the facility reflects a focus on controlled processes and optimized workflows. A dedicated wastewater treatment system further strengthens the project’s environmental responsibility, supporting sustainable aquaculture practices aligned with modern industry standards.
Understanding CRAS: Compact, Efficient, and Tailor-Made
CRAS represents one of the newest additions to MAT-KULING’s portfolio, developed as a fully customizable solution designed according to specific customer and species requirements, as demonstrated in this barramundi hatchery project. Carefully studied and engineered by MAT-KULING’s aquaculture and mechanical teams, these systems are tailor-made, fully integrated filtration units built for maximum reliability and operator-friendly RAS operation.
Each CRAS unit is designed to deliver the smallest possible footprint with minimal energy consumption while maintaining high treatment performance. The system integrates a complete treatment sequence, including mechanical filtration, biological treatment, CO₂ removal, organic load reduction, disinfection, aeration, oxygen enrichment, balance tanks, circulation pumps, fans, blowers, and other essential components. All units are plug-and-play, fully assembled, and factory-tested before shipment, ensuring fast installation and dependable performance in intensive commercial land-based aquaculture.
The Partnership Behind the Project
This agreement was signed in 2025 with NAQUA (National Aquaculture Group), one of the largest aquaculture operations globally and a key player in Saudi Arabia’s seafood industry. The project is designed to respond to the increasing demand for barramundi by strengthening production capacity through advanced hatchery infrastructure.
By combining NAQUA’s strong operational foundation with MAT-KULING’s expertise in hatchery design and engineering, this collaboration aims to establish a new benchmark for aquaculture development in the Middle East, delivering a future-oriented facility built on efficiency, innovation, and long-term performance.
