K+S, an internationally oriented raw materials company, and Aquapurna, which develops innovative technologies for the sustainable and resource-saving grow-out of warm-water shrimp, will build Europe’s largest and most modern indoor shrimp farm at the Sigmundshall site near Hanover, Germany.
K+S and Aquapurna have announced that the largest and most modern indoor shrimp farm in Europe will soon be built at the Sigmundshall site near Hanover, Germany. This has been contractually agreed upon between K+S and the start-up Aquapurna. K+S is investing an amount in the low double-digit million-euro range in this sustainable project and is acting as a builder, landlord, and media supplier for the new farm. Aquapurna is receiving a further seven-figure investment from private investors.
“We are very pleased that with Aquapurna we will be establishing a sustainable business model in our Innopark on a large scale, which also meets the interests of the stakeholders in this region,” says Carsten Möller, Head of the Sigmundshall site and the Innopark. “The project is a perfect strategic step for K+S for the subsequent use of the existing infrastructure at the former Sigmundshall potash site,” adds Saban Bala, who is responsible for the further development of the Innopark at K+S.
“Together with the globally operating industrial company K+S, we are making a significant contribution to sustainable and autonomous food supply in Europe,” emphasises David Gebhard, Managing Director of Aquapurna. Co-Managing Director Florian Gösling adds: “K+S shares our conviction of a better world through the sustainable use of green technologies.”
SUSTAINABLE SHRIMP FARMING FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
According to the companies’ statement, imported shrimp are often associated with ecological problems such as the destruction of mangrove forests and bycatch. Other technical solutions in Europe are often too expensive and not sufficiently scalable. Aquapurna therefore relies on green and sustainable technologies that revolutionise shrimp farming and minimise the environmental impact. K+S and Aquapurna are convinced that this investment will significantly contribute to sustainable shrimp farming and environmental protection.
Aquapurna has been conducting intensive research and development for over four years with its R&D centre at the Sigmundshall site. Furthermore, a vertically integrated larviculture system has been implemented; all steps, from the shrimp egg to the shrimp on the plate, take place in Germany. The company benefits from the expertise of an experienced management team that has built up successful sustainable aquaculture projects in Europe and Singapore, as well as a technology partnership with one of the world market leaders in land-based aquaculture, Billund Aquaculture, from Denmark. From “lab scale” to an industrial prototype, scaling up to the first “large scale” farm is now the next logical step.
LARGEST AND MOST MODERN INDOOR SHRIMP FARM IN EUROPE
The new shrimp farm is to be built in three phases. In its final state, the aim is for the complex to consist of two production halls with a floor area of approximately 18,000 square metres. This is equivalent to more than two soccer pitches. K+S has made a corresponding area available for this purpose. In the first construction phase from 2024 to mid-2025, a production hall and a supply and infrastructure wing with a size of approx. 4,000 square metres will be built. The roofs of the production halls will later also be fitted with solar panels to generate environmentally friendly electricity. Modern recirculation technology will be installed for the grow-out process, with over 98% of the grow-out water being continuously reused and little wastewater being produced. A farm capacity of up to 800 tonnes of shrimp per year is planned. A total of around 50 jobs are expected to be created on-site.
Besides the new building in the upstream area of the former mine, Aquapurna will continue to operate and expand the existing shrimp facility at the site, including the R&D centre, and will also rent additional office space in Sigmundshall. The use of further K+S infrastructure, including a training centre as well as a significant increase in the capacity of the existing hatchery, is currently being evaluated.
