AmpliAqua
BGI - Building Global Innovators ·Portugal
About this project
<p style="text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: 10pt"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif"><strong><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif"><span style="color: #15171A">AmpliAqua </span></span></span></strong><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif"><span style="color: #15171A">is a fully operational unit of an <strong>Aquaponic System</strong> based on an innovative, proprietary IP that demonstrates <strong>how</strong> inland fish farming <strong>can </strong>adopt a sustainable and viable Aquaponic <em>systems, <strong>b</strong></em><strong>y</strong> integrating new solutions for ensuring adequate solid waste management, avoiding fish off-flavour through cost-efficient techniques, and integrating advanced IT tools, <strong>unlike</strong> standard solutions used in traditional fish farming. </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif"><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif"><span style="color: #15171A">The <strong>food system</strong> is one of major driving forces of <strong>climate change</strong> and<strong> environmental degradation</strong>, with <strong><em>EU </em>importing over 70%</strong> of the sea food that it consumes, and aquaculture products (including imports) representing less than <strong>25% of <em>EU’s overall </em>consumption of these products</strong>. </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif"><strong><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif"><span style="color: #15171A">Aquaculture and hydroponics</span></span></span></strong><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif"><span style="color: #15171A"> when used in combination and in balance of micro-nutrients (<strong>Aquaponics</strong>) represent a technology with <strong>the potential</strong> to play a key role in creating a more <strong>sustainable and resilient agri-food systems</strong> (as defined by <strong><em>EU </em>strategies</strong>-Green Deal), through the development of a<strong> symbiotic ecosystem </strong>that requires<strong> less land and water</strong> and contributes for <strong>CO</strong></span></span></span><strong><sub><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif"><span style="color: #767171">2</span></span></span></sub></strong><strong><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif"><span style="color: #15171A"> mitigation</span></span></span></strong><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif"><span style="color: #15171A">. I</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif"><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif"><span style="color: #15171A">ntroduces key <strong>innovations</strong> to aquaponic systems that increases its productivity and sustainability when producing fish (<strong>aquaculture), greens (hydroponics) and micro-algae.</strong> This multitrophic system contributes for<strong> CO</strong></span></span></span><strong><sub><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif"><span style="color: #767171">2</span></span></span></sub></strong><strong><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif"><span style="color: #15171A"> mitigation</span></span></span></strong><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif"><span style="color: #15171A">, resulting from algae and plants capture, and solid waste treatment in a biodigester <strong>minimising the GHG emissions</strong>. <strong>AmpliAqua </strong>is modular & replicable and can be deployed <strong>globally, </strong>even in areas with limited resources<em>. </em></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif"><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", sans-serif"><span style="color: #15171A">The project is led by <strong>BGI</strong>, a deep technology startup accelerator with strong focus on sustainability and a track record of having supported over 150 ventures in preparing their Go to Market strategies. The partnership includes <strong>F4S</strong>, a collaborative laboratory of the national scientific and technological system, that facilitates R&D products to reach the market, focus on sustainable food, <strong>Aqualgae</strong>, experts in micro-algae production and <strong>IDN</strong>, experts on Aquaculture.</span></span></span></span></span></p>
Bilateral cooperation results
The current project also served as a fantastic, unique opportunity for the project beneficiaries to develop long term trusted relationships. The beneficiaries are at the moment discussing future, continued endeavors including a JV in AmpliAqua spillover / follow on projects. We expect that AmpliAqua will enable a 15 000m2 roll out project for yellowtail fish hatchery and growth (estimated 2 to 3 thousand tonnes / year). EIT Food has also become an important partner of AmpliAqua thanks to the credibility awarded by the EEA Grants funding mechanism & reputation. Finally, BGI - as the main beneficiary and project coordinator is at the moment considering spinning off AmpliAqua as a separate entity and applying for national ESIF funding (Mar2030) for follow development of phase II.
Project partners
- International Development Norway AS Donor project partner· Norway
- Food4Sustainability - Association for Innovation in Sustainable Food Project partner· Portugal
- Aqualgae Project partner· Portugal