Imagine a fish farm that works like a forest, where nothing goes to waste. Instead of throwing away dirty water and sludge, this system turns that 'trash' into food for mushrooms, insects, and algae. It uses smart AI to feed fish more precisely, cutting down on waste and keeping the water clean.
Freshwater aquaculture faces high environmental footprints and poor economic viability due to waste management costs and expensive feed. Current systems often struggle with sludge disposal and inefficient water use.
An industrial-scale CO2 heat pump sludge dryer and a low-cost straw-brick sediment filtration system. AI-driven tools for automated feeding and water management were also developed.
If you are an equipment manufacturer dealing with high energy costs for waste management — this project developed a transcritical CO2 heat pump dryer that reduces power consumption and eliminates cooling water needs. This allows for more efficient sludge processing at industrial scales.
If you are a feed producer dealing with expensive raw materials — this project developed methods to convert fish sludge and effluents into substrates for insects, worms, and fungi. This creates a new, low-cost source of bioactive feed ingredients.
If you are a software provider dealing with inefficient fish feeding and water quality drops — this project developed AI and machine learning tools to optimize grading and feeding. This reduces waste production and improves fish welfare through automation.
Based on available project data, specific pricing for the systems is not provided, though the project emphasizes reducing power consumption and using low-cost materials like straw bricks.
Yes, the project includes the installation of an industrial scale Waister dryer for fish sludge at a freshwater aquaculture site.
Based on available project data, the specific licensing terms for the AI and machine learning tools are not disclosed.
The project focuses on improving environmental performance and documenting governance conditions required for the wider uptake of circular economy practices in EU aquaculture.
The project period runs until 2026-10-31, suggesting that final validations and transferability documentation are ongoing.
The consortium is heavily geared toward commercial application, with a 44% industry ratio including 7 SMEs. With 16 partners across 11 countries, the project combines academic research (4 universities, 3 research centers) with practical industrial implementation, ensuring that the developed AI tools and drying hardware are grounded in real-world operational needs.
Contact the International Organisation for the Development of Fisheries and Aquaculture in Europe (DK)
Contact us to find the specific SME partner providing the CO2 heat pump technology.
