Agriculture

An innovative Italian company based in South Tyrol, specialising in the development and demonstration of aquaponic systems for sustainable land-based freshwater fish production. Its technology combines recirculating aquaculture with the productive reuse of water and nutrients in agriculture, aiming to reduce freshwater consumption, nutrient losses and the environmental footprint of fish farming. The company develops integrated solutions covering aquaculture engineering, water and nutrient management, renewable energy integration, digital monitoring and agricultural applications. At its demonstration and research site in Termeno/Tramin, The company operates and tests aquaponic and aquavoltaic systems under real production conditions and collaborates with research institutions, agricultural partners and technology providers in regional and European R&D projects. The company currently focuses its commercial fish production on African catfish (Clarias gariepinus), a robust freshwater species particularly well suited to intensive land-based production. Its efficient growth, suitability for high-density farming and potential for resource-efficient production make it an attractive alternative for developing more sustainable European aquaculture. The company sees particular potential in combining innovative production systems with fish species that can contribute to reducing the resource footprint of future fish production. The fish production is integrated into a broader agricultural concept in which water and nutrient streams are not regarded as waste, but as valuable resources for agricultural production. The company is now looking for farmers and entrepreneurs interested in establishing further demonstration and replication sites in Europe. The objective is to integrate land-based fish farming into existing agricultural businesses or into new entrepreneurial concepts that can benefit from synergies between aquaculture, plant production and locally available resources. A central element of the The company concept is the integration of resource flows. Nitrogen- and phosphorus-rich streams originating from fish production can be recovered and used in agricultural production. At the same time renewable energy and heat supply are considered an integral part of the The company concept. Existing local energy sources, such as photovoltaic electricity, biogas or available waste heat, can be integrated where available. Where suitable infrastructure is not yet in place, renewable energy solutions can be developed and integrated as part of the overall system concept. This creates opportunities for farms and businesses with agricultural production or suitable land that are interested in adding local freshwater fish production as an additional business activity. Existing energy infrastructure or usable heat can provide additional synergies but is not a prerequisite for cooperation. Within the planned LIFE project, selected partners would operate the The company system under real conditions and contribute their site-specific agricultural and operational expertise. The demonstration sites will be used to monitor performance, optimise the integration into existing farm structures and assess the transferability of the system to different agricultural and horticultural production systems, energy concepts, climatic conditions and agricultural regions. The overall objective is to demonstrate a scalable model for decentralised European freshwater fish production that combines food production with efficient water use, nutrient recovery, agricultural reuse and renewable energy integration. Technical Specification or Expertise Sought: The company is looking for farmers, agricultural businesses and entrepreneurs interested in integrating land-based freshwater fish production into an existing agricultural operation or developing a new business concept based on aquaponics. Potential partners should have access to a suitable site and a genuine interest in operating a The company system under real commercial conditions. Existing agricultural or horticultural production is particularly relevant, as nutrient-rich water and recovered nitrogen and phosphorus streams from fish production can be integrated into plant production and fertilisation. Existing renewable energy infrastructure, biogas production or usable waste heat can provide additional synergies but is not a prerequisite. Where suitable energy infrastructure is not yet available, renewable energy and heat supply can be developed and integrated as part of the overall system concept. Expected role of a partner: Within the planned LIFE project, selected partners are expected to contribute their site-specific knowledge and practical operational experience and to participate in the operation, monitoring and evaluation of the demonstration site. The objective is to test and optimise the integration of the The company system under different agricultural, climatic and operational conditions and to demonstrate its technical and economic replicability. The company will contribute its expertise in aquaponic system design, land-based aquaculture, water and nutrient management, renewable energy integration, digital monitoring and system operation. Partners from different European regions and agricultural backgrounds are welcome. Particular interest is given to partners who see land-based freshwater fish production as a long-term extension of their existing business or as the basis for a new commercial activity beyond the duration of the project.