UCC will participate in a transformational new project to pioneer innovative, peatland-based, multitrophic aquaculture (IMTA) in Co. Offaly.The Mount Lucas Circular Bioeconomy Aquaculture Initiative (Circular IMTA)' is led by the Technological University of Shannon and has been awarded funding of €5 million. The initiative is funded by the EU Just Transition Fund, which supports the transition to an innovative, sustainable, climate-friendly and circular bioeconomy.

Using wastewater from fish farming, the team will cultivate duckweed and macroalgae at scale and use the plant biomass to develop biobased value-chains and products, including new, sustainable feeds and foods.

UCC will lead the critical duckweed cultivation and valorisation component of the project. This builds on a long track-record of relevant duckweed research at UCC, generously funded by Horizon-Europe, EU-Interreg and DAFM.

Prof Marcel Jansen’s group at the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences and the Environmental Research Institute has demonstrated excellence in valorising various waste streams using duckweed and will use this expertise to upscale from lab to field. Simultaneously, the UCC group will develop opportunities for innovative, sustainable bio-businesses who will turn duckweed biomass into marketable products.

It is anticipated that the duckweed waste valorisation work undertaken as part of the project will inspire a range of further applications throughout the agri-feed industry, making Ireland a truly green country.