The application-oriented project InA (Insect-based sustainable Aquaculture) aims to establish a flexible, modular, scalable and smart pilot plant for the sustainable inland production of shrimp based on regional side streams and using feed insects (black soldier flies). In close cooperation with partners from industry, a closed polyculture plant is to be set up that is based on natural bio-based material cycles. This platform technology is to be operated under two scenarios - a "high sustainability" scenario (IPCC Mitigation Pathways Compatible with 1.5 °C) and a "moderate sustainability" scenario (IPCC Mitigation Pathways Compatible with 2.0 °C).

The project builds on its predecessor project INFeed [] (Flexible food production based on biogenic material flows using feed insects), which established the theoretical basis for the use of regional side streams for an insect-based feeding strategy for high-quality marine food (blue food). Among other things, the InFeed project successfully (i) processed biogenic side streams with essential amino acids in such a way that (ii) the larval growth of insects was increased and (iii) this insect-based feed increased the survival rate of marine shrimp compared to a conventional diet.

The project covers a value chain from the optimization of side streams as animal feed to sustainable insect breeding and the construction and operation of a pilot plant. The partners from research (Justus Liebig University Giessen (JLU), Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen and the Fraunhofer IME) and industry (Evonik and Royal Exclusiv Aquarien) are working closely together to successfully implement the process. The project receives direct financial support from InsectFish GmbH, Giessen. JLU is providing a research building (biotechnology center) for the pilot plant, which is very well suited for vertical farming and has laboratory workstations, climate chambers for insect experiments and a modern ventilation system.