Food production systems are facing increasing pressure to produce more while using fewer resources. In many regions, especially Southern Europe, water availability is becoming a growing challenge as prolonged droughts, changing climate conditions and increasing pressure on freshwater resources affect traditional food production systems.

At the same time, large amounts of saline and brackish water remains unused in conventional agriculture. The ProRMAS project asks a simple question: what if these limitations could become resources instead?

To address this, ProRMAS is developing and testing a Recirculating Multi-Trophic Aquaponic System (RMAS) that combines shrimp production, polychaete cultivation, macroalgae, plant production and nutrient recovery within one circular production concept.

For Matthew Slater, Head of Aquaculture Research Group at the Alfred Wegener Institute, this practical relevance is one of the reasons the project matters now:

“We hope to show real and practical RAS system methods that people can use in water-limited environments to produce sustainable food. This can benefit partner farmers in Italy, for example, where water scarcity for food production is becoming a regional problem.”

Rethinking waste in aquaculture

One of the central ideas behind ProRMAS is simple: waste from one part of the system could become a resource for another. For this reason, researchers are investigating whether nutrients and by-products generated during shrimp production can be reused instead of discarded. Polychaetes or marine worms that have high nutritional value, are cultivated using sludge generated during shrimp farming. Then the worms were later tested as feed ingredients for shrimp diets.

At the same time, sludge and residual materials are being tested for their potential use in plant cultivation systems and analysed for their nutrient composition and fertilizer potential. This challenge is especially relevant for recirculating aquaculture systems, where solid waste management can directly affect production costs.

As Marco Birolo from the University of Padova explains:

“In ProRMAS, residual nutrients and organic matter are not simply treated as waste. We look at how they can become new biomass, feed ingredients, food products or biofertilizers.”

Testing ideas under actual operating conditions

Researchers are currently evaluating alternative feed ingredients, nutrient recovery approaches and different production methods under controlled conditions. Shrimp diets containing polychaetes and the macroalga Ulva lactuca are being tested as alternatives to conventional feed ingredients. And an important milestone has already been achieved. According to Isabela Pinheiro from the Alfred Wegener Institute:

“One important milestone so far has been producing polychaetes using shrimp farm waste as the sole feed source and successfully testing polychaete meal as an alternative to fishmeal in shrimp diets.”

Experimental work has also progressed on system development itself. At Klaipėda Science and Technology Park, researchers Nerijus Nika and Gintautas Narvilas are directly involved in experimental activities related to shrimp production, polychaete cultivation and the operation of research systems supporting the project’s practical implementation.

Matthew Slater highlights one of the important technical achievements so far:

“Solid waste feeding to polychaete worms and installation of the new polyrack system.”

Early observations suggest strong shrimp interest in polychaetes, while Ulva lactuca is also showing potential as a feed component. Researchers emphasize that many experiments remain ongoing and that results still require further analysis.

More than experimental systems

The project creates value beyond research results alone. Demonstration systems and pilot infrastructure support technology development, strengthen competence in recirculating aquaculture, and create opportunities for students and young researchers to work with circular production approaches. For partners such as Klaipėda Science and Technology Park, this also means building expertise through hands-on experimental work and the operation of research infrastructure.

As Nerijus Nika from Klaipeda Science and Technology Park explains:

“Participation in ProRMAS contributes to strengthening expertise in recirculating aquaculture while creating opportunities for students and young researchers to work with emerging production systems and circular approaches in practice.”

The multidisciplinary structure of the project is another important aspect. Researchers working in aquaculture, feed development, horticulture, nutrient recovery and environmental assessment are contributing to a shared goal: understanding how such integrated systems function under actual operational conditions.

Building the next phase

The next phase of ProRMAS moves beyond individual experiments and closer toward integrated operation. Researchers will continue optimizing production systems, evaluating biomass quality, and advancing demonstration infrastructure across partner countries. One major milestone still lies ahead.

As Matthew Slater puts it:

“Our goal is to run the pilot farm with all 4 species: worms, shrimp, ulva lactuca and salicornia.”

For Isabela Pinheiro, the interaction between these system components remains one of the most interesting aspects of the project:

“What I find most interesting is connecting different trophic levels in a way where one organism’s output becomes a resource for another. That is where the real potential of these systems lies.”

As water resources become more limited and demand for food continues to grow, projects like ProRMAS explore how underused resources could become part of future food production.

“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. 

The first event of the Nordic Testbed Network Roadshow 2026 took place in Klaipėda, Lithuania and brought together researchers, aquaculture companies, technology providers and other organisations working across the Nordic-Baltic bioeconomy sector. Hosted by Klaipėda Science and Technology Park, the event focused on Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS), pilot infrastructure, applied aquaculture research and collaboration opportunities related to sustainable seafood production and technology development.

The event combined strategic presentations, technical visits and networking activities. Participants were introduced to the Aquaculture Competence Centre at Klaipėda Science and Technology Park, ongoing experiments and technological developments within the ProRMAS project, as well as AquaQlt’s patented shrimp tower solution and commercialization journey. The event also included a technical visit to the Fisheries and Aquaculture Laboratory at Klaipėda University Marine Research Institute, where participants explored applied research activities and aquaculture infrastructure currently being developed and tested in Lithuania.

One of the key goals of the Roadshow is to strengthen cooperation between Nordic and Baltic testbed infrastructures, research organisations and other stakeholders. The event created opportunities for practical discussions around RAS implementation, monitoring systems, automation, pilot-scale experimentation and future technology transfer activities. The Roadshow highlighted the importance of creating environments where technologies and production approaches can be tested under real operating conditions. Such initiatives support knowledge exchange, improve access to pilot infrastructure and help bridge the gap between research and practical implementation.

The event also demonstrated how collaboration between research institutions, technology developers, and aquaculture companies can contribute to the development of more resource-efficient and scalable aquaculture systems across the Nordic-Baltic region. The Nordic Testbed Network Roadshow 2026 will continue with further events across the Baltic and Nordic region, supporting regional cooperation and strengthening connections between science, infrastructure and business communities working in aquaculture and bioeconomy sectors.

The ProRMAS project is part of the programme of the Green ERA-Hub that has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No. 101056828.

Event partners

Klaipėda Science and Technology Park will host the opening event of the Nordic Testbed Network Roadshow 2026, focused on the development and application of Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) in the Nordic-Baltic region.

This event brings together researchers, scientists, industry representatives and startups, creating a focused setting for discussion, collaboration, and knowledge exchange.

Organised in connection with the ProRMAS project, the event highlights how research, testing environments and industry collaboration contribute to the advancement and scaling of sustainable aquaculture technologies.

Event focus

The programme is built around the connection between science, infrastructure, and commercialisation.

Participants will engage with researchers and scientists working directly on RAS innovation, explore the Aquaculture Competence Centre at Klaipėda Science and Technology Park, including ongoing experiments and learn from practical examples of technology development and application.

The patented shrimp tower solution by AquaQlt will be introduced and a visit to Klaipeda University Marine Research Institute, Fisheries and Aquaculture Laboratory will be organized. Participants will also be invited to take part in targeted networking and matchmaking sessions

We kindly invite researchers and scientists in aquaculture and bioeconomy, aquaculture companies and fish farmers, startups developing RAS or related technologies, technology providers, public authorities and policymakers, investors and innovation support organisations to join the event.

Practical details:

Adress: Vilhelmo Berbomo g. 10, Klaipėda, Lithuania
Nearest airport: ✈️ Palanga Airport (PLQ)
⛴ Ferry connections from Sweden and Germany

Registration link: https://forms.gle/GDz41rF2i5ZBrQUV7

Registration deadline: May 18

This event opens the Nordic Testbed Network Roadshow 2026 and offers a focused environment to connect with key people working across research and industry in aquaculture.

We welcome participants who are actively contributing to the development and application of RAS technologies.

Event partners

Event partners

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:

• Control feed – standard proteins from fishmeal and soybean meal.

• Experimental feed (50%) – 50% of fishmeal protein replaced with alternative proteins from polychaete worms.

• 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:

• reducing solid organic pollution,

• optimising nutrient utilisation,

• 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.