The Farm-to-Fork Strategy of the European Green Deal acknowledges the potential of algae to become an important source of alternative low-carbon footprint protein and contribute to improving the sustainability and competitiveness of the aquaculture sector. Nonetheless, the European algae industry is still in an early phase lagging behind the overall increase seen at a global level, mostly driven by Asia. Within this context, the EU project INNOAQUA aims to pave the path towards the upcoming sustainable and diversified EU in-land aquaculture industry by demonstrating and mainstreaming innovative algae-based foods and solutions, based on sustainability, circularity and digitalization concepts.
The project is centred around the demonstration of the integration of fish and algae cultivation in coupled, land-based RAS/IMTA systems, aiming to minimize energy and nutrient losses and maximise resource efficiency by closing the nutrient loop, at two locations: 1) microalgae and salmon in Norway, and 2) seaweed and sole in Portugal. Next, new biorefining approaches are developed to optimise the extraction yield of targeted valuable compounds from the microalgae, seaweed and fish processing side-products that will be used in the formulation of innovative seafood products.
Earlier results, obtained in the projects iFishIENCi and SLAM-DUNK, showed that microalgae can successfully be grown on effluent water from the production of salmon in RAS (Recirculating Aquaculture Systems) using both biofilm and tubular photobioreactors, and full nutrient uptake can be achieved. In INNOAQUA, we will further optimise these results, through operational and technological enhancements, including tailor-made digital solutions.
The consortium, led by NORCE Norwegian Research Centre AS (NO), consists of 17 partners, from 8 countries: Viking Aqua AS (NO), Marineholmen RASlab AS (NO), Algemy Ingredients SL (ES), A4F Algafuel SA (PT), Safiestela - Sustainable Aquafarming Investments (PT), INESC TEC - Instituto De Engenhariade Sistemas E Computadores, Tecnologia E Ciencia PT), Acondicionamiento Tarrasense Associacion (ES), ERANOVA (FR), PESCANOVA Espana SL (ES), Viva Maris GMBH (DE), Sustainable INNOVATION SL (ES), PEDAL Consulting SRO (SK), European Aquaculture Society (BE), Eco Imagination (FR), and PERSEUS (BE).
Total project eligible costs for INNOAQUA are 7.3 million euros, 6 million of this is funded by the European Union under grant agreement number 101084383.