How Green Pin® entered the aquaculture arena
In the world of industrial hardware, innovation starts with a simple observation and a question. For Green Pin®, that question was: Could our existing products withstand the demanding conditions of aquaculture? The answer was yes, but only after a journey of research, adaptation, and collaboration.
Recognising a niche
The aquaculture industry places high demands on hardware used to anchor and secure fish cages, which must withstand harsh conditions and heavy loads. Green Pin® engineers noticed that many of their standard products already met several of these criteria. This realisation prompted a deeper investigation into sector-specific needs and ultimately led to the development of a dedicated aquaculture product line.
The objective was not simply to enter a new market. Green Pin® set out to do so responsibly by delivering products that met the highest standards for safety, durability, and certification.
Engineering for the environment
The development process began with hands-on research. Green Pin® teams engaged directly with customers and distributors and gathered valuable insights. These interactions helped pinpoint the challenges associated with securing fish cages in marine environments.
From there, engineers conducted detailed Finite Element Method (FEM) analyses to evaluate mechanical stresses, while production teams created prototypes for extensive real-world testing. Validation included fatigue tests, break tests, deformation assessments, and Magnetic Particle Inspection (MPI) to ensure structural integrity and long-term reliability.
Not every step was straightforward. One of the more complex challenges involved the mooring bolt, whose threaded grooves, designed to hold anchoring grout for added fixation strength, were unintentionally filled with zinc. With the support of our partners, the team developed a reliable galvanization method an essential step for ensuring long-term performance in underwater conditions.
Certification and compliance
Certification played a central role in development. Products were tested and approved under DNV and NS 9415 standards. Midway through the process, the standard transitioned from NS 9415:2009 to NS 9415:2021 (NYTEK23). Thanks to strong internal teamwork, Green Pin® successfully made the transition early, securing DNV certification.
Production with confidence
Production of the aquaculture components began alongside prototyping. Peter Penning, QA & QC Manager and Product Manager, explains: “We were confident from the start. Our products already had the right foundation for aquaculture, so there was no need to reinvent the wheel.”
Only minor adjustments to existing production processes were required, such as an added drilling step for the sunken hole plug in the Green Pin® Dee Shackle and a dedicated welding process for the Mooring T-Bolt. Strict quality controls, traceability, and production oversight ensured consistent results.
Looking ahead
As Senior Area Sales Manager Paul Olislagers notes, the aquaculture sector continues to evolve: fish cages are growing larger, loads are increasing, and demand for certified, high-performance hardware is rising. Green Pin® is ready to scale accordingly, with future developments focused on larger sizes and compliance with emerging standards.
What began as a simple question has become a fully realized product line. Built on understanding, collaboration and precision, Green Pin® aquaculture products may operate below the surface, but they are firmly above standard.
Curious to learn more? Visit greenpin.com/aquaculture, or meet us at Aquaculture UK, Stand C64.
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