In mid-February, the Aquaculture Competence Centre at the Klaipėda Science and Technology Park (KSTP) completed one of the main applied experiments of the international ProRMAS project, aimed at evaluating the suitability of alternative proteins for shrimp feed. The five-week study represents an important step toward developing more sustainable, circular-economy-based aquaculture systems.
Three feeds – one goal
The experiment was conducted in a 30 m³ closed marine aquaculture system at the Business Incubator of Klaipėda Science and Technology Park, focused on the cultivation of whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). The study aimed to assess growth and survival rates, the efficiency of the recirculating aquaculture system (RAS), and the levels of generated sludge and effluents.
Three types of shrimp feed, developed by project partners from the Alfred Wegener Institute (Germany), were tested:
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Control feed – standard proteins from fishmeal and soybean meal.
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Experimental feed (50%) – 50% of fishmeal protein replaced with alternative proteins from polychaete worms.
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Experimental feed (100%) – fishmeal completely replaced by worm-based proteins.
Each experimental tank was equipped with a FIAP Belt Feeder Pro. The feeders were filled twice daily, in the morning and evening. Their operation relies on a slow-moving belt that distributes feed granules continuously throughout the day. The designated number of shrimp in each tank was fed according to their growth stage, and the feeders were refilled at 6 p.m. to ensure uninterrupted feeding. All feeds were formulated to meet the nutritional requirements of intensively farmed whiteleg shrimp.
Circular system: turning waste into resources
The main objective of the ProRMAS project is to develop a sustainable and efficient seafood production system – a Recirculating Multitrophic Aquaculture System (RMAS) – that closes the organic matter loop, produces high-quality proteins, and maximises the efficient use of water and nutrients. Beyond a fully functional RMAS, each output (shrimp, polychaete worms, macroalgae, plants, and processed sludge) will also be analysed to ensure sustainability and market value.
During the project, all partners will cultivate whiteleg shrimp together with polychaete worms and macroalgae to varying extents. This multitrophic approach allows nutrient cycling and reduces organic waste: worms consume sludge generated by mechanical filtration, while macroalgae absorb dissolved nutrients. This system produces sustainable feed while simultaneously:
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reducing solid organic pollution,
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optimising nutrient utilisation,
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creating a valuable alternative protein source for feed.
This approach simultaneously addresses both waste management and protein shortage, closing the loop between pollution and protein production within a single system.
Growth and health – the main evaluation criteria
The growth study of Litopenaeus vannamei covered the entire period from juvenile to market-size shrimp (15–25 g). From the start of the experiment, measurements of weight (±0.1 g) and length (±0.1 cm) were taken every two weeks, overall health status was evaluated, and biological samples were collected for further analyses.
The health index was calculated based on multiple indicators: condition of antennae, eyes, rostrum, tail, legs, muscles, gills, and exoskeleton, stomach content, hepatopancreas condition, and other parameters. For some individuals, hepatopancreas samples were collected for digestive enzyme analysis and sent to project partners in Germany for detailed laboratory testing.
Results – preparation for analysis
Data collected during the experiment are currently being compiled and analysed. The study will assess whether alternative polychaete worm proteins are as effective—or more so—than traditional fishmeal and soybean proteins, considering growth rate, survival, feed conversion efficiency, and overall health.
The results will be presented in scientific publications and technology evaluation reports. They are expected to contribute to the development of more sustainable feeds and strengthen the potential for environmentally friendly shrimp production in Lithuania and across Europe.
The experiment, completed on 12 February, marks a significant milestone in the ProRMAS project – transitioning from laboratory trials to comprehensive evaluation, which will demonstrate the feasibility of a circular, nearly zero-waste marine aquaculture vision.
About Green ERA-Hub (GEH):
The Green ERA-Hub is a Coordination and Support Action under Horizon Europe that brings together relevant ongoing and self-sustaining networks in the Agri-food and biotechnology sectors. It represents a significant part of Europe’s national ministries, funders, and research institutes, providing transnational co-programming of national research priorities and funding, organising joint scientific research, knowledge valorisation, and science-policy dialogue activities.
More information about Green ERA-Hub: www.greenerahub.eu
“The project ProRMAS was carried out under the Green ERA-Hub, a Coordination and Support Action (CSA), funded through the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation (R&I) programme under Grant Agreement No. 101056828.”.
This international research and development project is supported by the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Lithuania, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research of the Federal Republic of Germany, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry of the Republic of Italy.
Social media channels: GEH X: @GEH_era;
GEH LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/green-era-hub/ and
GEH YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GreenERAHub.
Europe still has a high demand for protein imports for food and feed production. This makes food production technologies based on the principles of the circular economy and the Green Deal increasingly relevant. One solution is to search for alternative protein sources to reduce dependence on traditional fish meal.
The ProRMAS project is currently conducting one of its main experiments at the Aquaculture Competence Center of the Klaipėda Science and Technology Park (KMTP), testing experimental shrimp feed. Scientists from the project partner Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI) developed this feed, which is unique in that some traditional ingredients have been replaced with sustainable alternatives. The feed uses green macroalgae (Ulva lactuca), and some fishmeal protein has been replaced with polychaete worm protein.
Three types of feed are being tested
The experiment is being conducted in 12 tanks. During the study, three types of feed are being tested: control feed with fish meal; feed in which 50% of the fish meal protein has been replaced with polychaete protein; and feed in which the fish meal has been completely replaced with polychaete protein. Each type of feed is tested in four tanks, with 50 shrimp in each.
The experiment will last five weeks. At the beginning of the study, the shrimp weigh an average of about 12 grams. It is expected that by the end of the study, their average weight will be about 25 grams.
Shrimp were not chosen for the ProRMAS project by chance. Demand for this seafood product remains extremely high in Europe, but local production is limited. European shrimp production is around 500 tons per year, and some countries, such as Italy, are almost entirely dependent on imports. In contrast, Litopenaeus vannamei shrimp farming in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) is becoming a growing industry in Germany and Lithuania.
The goal is to transform waste into raw materials
However, traditional RAS systems have one major drawback: dissolved and solid nutrients, as well as the resulting sludge, often go unused. This increases the system’s inefficiency and costs. The ProRMAS project aims to implement circular economy solutions in saltwater shrimp aquaculture to create a closed cycle where waste becomes raw material for new production.
In this system, sludge formed from shrimp waste and uneaten feed is used to feed polychaete worms. This process converts organic waste into an alternative source of protein suitable for feed production in a closed cycle.
Health indicators are used to assess feed efficiency
Controlled feeding trials are conducted to determine the suitability of alternative proteins for shrimp nutrition. During these trials, growth and health indicators of the experimental animals are monitored, including survival rate, changes in weight and length, feed conversion efficiency, and stress response indicators. All trials and laboratory tests are conducted in the research systems and laboratories of the KMTP Aquaculture Competence Center.
The study’s results are expected to contribute to the development of more sustainable feed and justify the use of alternative proteins in aquaculture. This will reduce dependence on imported raw materials and increase the potential for environmentally friendly, local shrimp production in Lithuania and Europe.
About Green ERA-Hub (GEH):
The Green ERA-Hub is a Coordination and Support Action under Horizon Europe that brings together relevant ongoing and self-sustaining networks in the Agri-food and biotechnology sectors. It represents a significant part of Europe’s national ministries, funders, and research institutes, providing transnational co-programming of national research priorities and funding, organising joint scientific research, knowledge valorisation, and science-policy dialogue activities.
More information about Green ERA-Hub: www.greenerahub.eu
“The project ProRMAS was carried out under the Green ERA-Hub, a Coordination and Support Action (CSA), funded through the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation (R&I) programme under Grant Agreement No. 101056828.”.
This international research and development project is supported by the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Lithuania, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research of the Federal Republic of Germany, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry of the Republic of Italy.
Social media channels: GEH X: @GEH_era;
GEH LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/green-era-hub/ and
GEH YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GreenERAHub.
Climate change, shrinking arable land, and deteriorating water resources are putting global food security at risk—and Europe is no exception. As the continent seeks resilience and self-sufficiency, innovative solutions that maximize resource efficiency and reduce dependency on external inputs are urgently needed. One such solution is the international project ProRMAS, which is developing a circular and sustainable food production system based on Recirculating Multitrophic Aquaponic Systems (RMAS).
Science, Innovation, and Collaboration
Funded by the Green ERA-Hub initiative, the ProRMAS project unites science, innovation, and international collaboration to redefine the future of sustainable aquaculture. At its halfway point, the consortium, led by the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI, Germany) with key partners Klaipėda Science and Technology Park (KSTP, Lithuania) and the University of Padova (Italy), has already achieved significant progress toward building a resilient, resource-efficient food system.
Building the Circular System
By the middle of this year, the ProRMAS project partners had made significant progress in implementing various project activities:
Polychaete Rearing System: In collaboration with Greenhub GmbH, a prototype system was developed, initial biomass tests were conducted, and daily handling protocols were established for feeding, salinity, and temperature control.
Alternative Proteins for Shrimp Feed: KMTP adapted aquaculture systems for experimental trials using polychaete meal and Ulva algae as feed additives.
Biofertilizers from Shrimp Sludge: UNIPD analyzed the nutrient profile of shrimp sludge and began growing Salicornia, a salt-tolerant halophyte, using nutrient-rich water from shrimp culture.
Demonstration Farms: Pilot systems are being prepared in Italy and Lithuania to showcase the full RMAS model, integrating shrimp, polychaetes, algae, and halophytes. These will serve as educational and outreach platforms.
Changes between implemented activities
During the first project phase, the international team successfully launched research and development activities, fine-tuning the essential components of the RMAS: shrimp, polychaetes, algae, and halophytes. New prototypes for polychaete rearing and shrimp feed production have been established, while initial trials have already shown promising results. At the same time, a clear strategy to transform shrimp sludge into natural biofertilizers is being implemented, demonstrating how circular principles can create value from resources that would otherwise go to waste.
In Lithuania, KSTP has taken a leading role in setting up the infrastructure for experimental trials, adapting recirculating aquaculture systems, developing handling protocols, and preparing for the integration of algae and halophytes. These efforts have laid a strong foundation for the next phase of the project.
Meanwhile, partners are already preparing demonstration farms in Italy and Lithuania that will showcase the complete RMAS model and serve as educational and outreach platforms. These pilot systems will demonstrate how circular food production can thrive even in saline or resource-limited environments, helping Europe move closer to protein self-sufficiency and sustainable fertilizer use.
A Circular Vision for Europe
ProRMAS is more than a research initiative – it’s a vision for a greener, smarter, and more circular Europe. By transforming saline water into high-quality proteins and organic fertilizers, RMAS systems reduce waste, recover nutrients, and optimize water use. The project directly contributes to the goals of the European Green Deal, promoting protein self-sufficiency and fertilizer efficiency.
The consortium is proud of the first tangible results achieved so far and the strong collaborative spirit that drives the project forward. ProRMAS is more than a research project – it is a vision for a greener, smarter, and more circular Europe. By turning scientific innovation into practical solutions, the project contributes directly to the ambitions of the European Green Deal.
About ProRMAS:
ProRMAS is part of the Green ERA-Hub that is funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No 1010568. This international research and development project is supported by the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Lithuania, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research of the Federal Republic of Germany, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry of the Republic of Italy. Total budget of ProRMAS – €732 000.
More information about ProRMAS project and its activities: ProRMAS project webpage and ProRMAS LinkedIn.
About Green ERA-Hub (GEH):
The Green ERA-Hub is a Coordination and Support Action under Horizon Europe that brings together relevant ongoing and self-sustaining networks in the Agri-food and biotechnology sectors. It represents a significant part of Europe’s national ministries, funders, and research institutes, providing transnational co-programming of national research priorities and funding, organising joint scientific research, knowledge valorisation, and science-policy dialogue activities.
More information about Green ERA-Hub: www.greenerahub.eu
“The project ProRMAS was carried out under the Green ERA-Hub, a Coordination and Support Action (CSA), funded through the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation (R&I) programme under Grant Agreement No. 101056828.”.
This international research and development project is supported by the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Lithuania, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research of the Federal Republic of Germany, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry of the Republic of Italy.
Social media channels: GEH X: @GEH_era;
GEH LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/green-era-hub/ and
GEH YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GreenERAHub.
A consortium of scientists from Germany, Italy, and Lithuania has embarked on a groundbreaking transnational research project, ProRMAS. Funded by the Green ERA-Hub (GEH), they aim to develop a recirculating multitrophic aquaponic system (RMAS) for production of valuable proteins and organic fertilizers from saline water sources.
With seafood supply currently reaching around 17% of animal proteins and about 7% of total protein, recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) has potential for growth in the upcoming years. However, nutrients in the dissolved and solid waste from these systems remain unused. Here ProRMAS team comes with the innovative solution: integrating aquatic species, filter feeders, and plants into a fully circular system using saline water.
“Our goal is to develop a sustainable, closed-loop system that maximizes water and nutrient efficiency while producing high-quality protein,” said Matthew James Slater, Head of Aquaculture Research Group at Alfred Wegener Institute, and leader of the international ProRMAS consortium. “By utilizing saline water resources, we can create a viable solution for food production in areas where freshwater is scarce.”
Researchers from the Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (Germany), Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE) at the University of Padova (Italy), and Klaipėda Science and Technology Park (Lithuania), are conducting multiple experiments and tests with sludge from the shrimp cultivation to produce aquatic species that can be used in novel shrimp diets.
Focusing on cultivating shrimp as a high-value protein, the innovative system will produce polychaetes to serve as an alternative to fishmeal in feeds, while also recovering nutrients and reducing organic waste through remineralization. Halophyte plants and macroalgae will absorb dissolved nutrients and can be utilized in feed and for human consumption due to their nutritional properties. Any remaining organic residue will be converted into bio-fertilizers for use in soil and soilless vegetable cultivation, aiming for zero waste and nutrient loss.
In cooperation with the greenhub solutions GmbH, providers of innovative vertical farming solutions, a future demo-farm is being designed. Located in Germany, it will integrate the production of shrimp, polychaetes, Ulva spp., halophytes, and traditional vegetable species. The complete demo-farm will serve as a base to evaluate the environmental impact, economic viability, and quality of food production.
About ProRMAS project:
ProRMAS is part of the Green ERA-Hub that is funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No 1010568. This international research and development project is supported by the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Lithuania, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research of the Federal Republic of Germany, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry of the Republic of Italy. Total budget of ProRMAS – €732 000.
More information about ProRMAS project and its activities: ProRMAS project webpage and ProRMAS LinkedIn.
About Green ERA-Hub (GEH):
The Green ERA-Hub is a Coordination and Support Action under Horizon Europe that brings together relevant ongoing and self-sustaining networks in the Agri-food and biotechnology sectors. It represents a significant part of Europe’s national ministries, funders, and research institutes, providing transnational co-programming of national research priorities and funding, organising joint scientific research, knowledge valorisation, and science-policy dialogue activities.
More information about Green ERA-Hub: www.greenerahub.eu
The ProRMAS project is carried out under the Green ERA-Hub, a Coordination and Support Action (CSA), funded through the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation (R&I) programme under Grant Agreement No. 101056828.
This international research and development project is supported by the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Lithuania, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research of the Federal Republic of Germany, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry of the Republic of Italy.
Researchers from Germany, Italy, and Lithuania have joined forces in the international research project ProRMAS, funded by Green ERA-Hub. Project partners are developing an innovative system to produce valuable proteins and organic fertilizers from saline water sources using a recirculating multitrophic aquaponic system (RMAS).
Last week, the project consortium, uniting researchers from the Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, University of Padova, Klaipėda Science and Technology Park, and representatives of greenhub solutions GmbH, a company developing advanced solutions for vertical farming, held a meeting in Padova, Italy.
During the meeting, we shared updates on ongoing experiments and activities, reviewing the progress made in creating a novel food production system that integrates the cultivation of shrimp, polychaetes, seaweed, and halophytes into one closed-loop cycle using saline water.
Part of the visit was dedicated to exploring our partners’ scientific facilities. We visited the Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals, and Environment (DAFNAE) at the University of Padova, which will host one of the ProRMAS pilot systems.
More information about the project: www.greenerahub.eu/prormas.
Follow project updates on LinkedIn: ProRMAS.
The ProRMAS project is carried out under the Green ERA-Hub, a Coordination and Support Action (CSA), funded through the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation (R&I) programme under Grant Agreement No. 101056828.
This international research and development project is supported by the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Lithuania, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research of the Federal Republic of Germany, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry of the Republic of Italy.
On October 10-11, ProRMAS project team participated in the Joint Programming Initiative on Agriculture, Food Security, and Climate Change (FACCE-JPI) and Green ERA-Hub (GEH) joint conference Towards New Horizons – Sustainable solutions in Agri-Food and Biotechnology in Berlin, where 17 transnational research projects funded by GEH were presented.
The event brought together researchers, policymakers, funding agencies, and various initiatives from the EU and beyond. Focused on sustainable agriculture, food security, and biotechnology, the conference served as a platform to highlight innovative initiatives aimed at reducing environmental impacts by leveraging natural, eco-friendly methods in agriculture and environmental management.
During the conference, Isabela Pinheiro, researcher at the Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, presented ProRMAS project and its vision of producing valuable proteins and organic fertilizers from saline water sources using a recirculating multitrophic aquaponic system (RMAS). The interactive sessions provided an excellent opportunity to share insights and explore potential collaborations with other research initiatives.
The international research project ProRMAS, funded by GEH, is implemented in Germany, Italy, and Lithuania by the Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, University of Padova, and Klaipėda Science and Technology Park.
More information about the project: www.greenerahub.eu/prormas.
The ProRMAS project is carried out under the Green ERA-Hub, a Coordination and Support Action (CSA), funded through the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation (R&I) programme under Grant Agreement No. 101056828.
This international research and development project is supported by the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Lithuania, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research of the Federal Republic of Germany, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry of the Republic of Italy.
