The world produces enough food to feed eight billion people, yet more than eight million people go hungry every day. Children are especially vulnerable, with 45 million under the age of five suffering wasting – being too thin for their height – in 2022*.
Recurring food shortages are a global issue, and we need to act now. One Irish tech start-up is playing its part to bolster food security and boost agricultural productivity.
TelLab spin-out Aquamonitrix provides accurate nutrient monitoring analysers for water resource managers, supporting operations in aquaculture, precision agriculture and industrial processes.
Based in Carlow, the company uses cutting-edge technology to provide real-time data on nitrate and nitrite that are toxic to fish and key parameters when considering water and wastewater management. Today, the firm employs more than 50 people and has customers all over the world.
Investing in innovation
In 2019, TelLab secured more than €1 million in funding through the Horizon 2020 European Innovation Council Accelerator programme for its H2OMon project to commercialise its core technology and launch Aquamonitrix.
The funding has been pivotal to the firm’s growth, according to Dr. Eoin Murray, Head of R&D at Aquamonitrix.
“The funding is really critical. It has allowed us to expand and continue our R&D activity,” he says. “It helps us push the boundaries of innovation and maintain our competitive edge in the market.”
Dr. Eoin Murray, Head of R&D at Aquamonitrix
Developing life-changing technologies
Horizon Europe funding has been instrumental in the development of several projects that Aquamonitrix is involved in. In 2023, MultiLab, a project made up of 11 partners from nine countries including Aquamonitrix, was awarded €4.8 million in funding.
MultiLab aims to develop tools to monitor harmful algal bloom, which happens when there is a rapid increase in the density of algae in a fresh or seawater system. Algae – plant-like organisms that live in water – can be toxic to people, fish, mammals and birds.
In addition to monitoring the environment, the tools will be used to enhance medical testing and analysis.
“Horizon funding has given us the necessary support to develop innovative technologies,” says Eoin. “It’s allowed us to collaborate with diverse leading experts to carry out extensive field testing and ensure the tools are reliable and effective.”
ToxBox is another Horizon Europe-funded project in the works. In the planning phase, the project will develop tools to detect and measure various substances. Its aim is to improve safety assessment processes for chemicals and materials.
Breaking new ground to tackle global food insecurity
In 2022, Aquamonitrix joined the AGRARSENSE project, a Horizon Europe-funded initiative (under the Chips Joint Undertaking) focused on developing advanced sensors and automated tools to improve agricultural efficiency, secure value chains, and ultimately tackle food insecurity.
With more than 57 partners from 15 European countries, the project brings together large enterprises, SMEs, and research and technology organisations.
The consortium aims to develop new technologies, such as automated agricultural and aquaculture tools and sensor technology, to help improve efficiency and protect value chains.
The technologies will address issues in seven key European agriculture and forestry areas:
- greenhouses
- vertical farming
- precision viticulture – monitoring and managing vineyards
- agriculture robotics
- forestry machinery
- optimal soil management and fertilisation
- agriculture-related water management.
By 2030, the new technologies are expected to generate €250 million in new turnover for the participating companies.
“The project has the potential to advance agricultural productivity and sustainability by integrating sensor technologies and automated tools,” says Eoin. “It will also enhance food security through real-time data monitoring and improved process efficiency.
“Collaborating with diverse partners has driven innovation and fostered a holistic approach to solving agricultural challenges.”
Bringing trailblazing technology to the table
Aquamonitrix plays a pivotal role in the AGRARSENSE project, providing online analyser technologies to monitor water quality in real time across aquaculture – rearing aquatic animals and cultivation of aquatic plants for food – and aquaponic – growing fish and plants together – environments.
“The project will boost efficiency and strengthen European agricultural value chains,” says Eoin. “It will also support our technologies’ commercialisation and market expansion.”
The firm has also had the opportunity to work with University College Cork’s (UCC) Tyndall Institute, integrating its electrochemical sensors into Aquamonitrix analysers to enhance dissolved oxygen and pH monitoring.
“We work with Tyndall to integrate their technology into our analyser technology to expand its functionality,” says Eoin. “This was enabled through the project.”
The power of partnerships
According to Eoin, the project has had many highlights, including collaborating with a broad mix of partners from different sectors.
“Working with project partners from diverse backgrounds has been invaluable,” he says. “You have access to a diverse range of expertise. If you had to pay for that or hire it in, it would cost a huge amount.
“Collaborating with experts from large enterprises, SMEs and research institutions like Tyndall Institute and UCC has broadened our technical perspectives. We also have access to cutting-edge novel technologies that we can potentially integrate into our analysers in a cost-effective way.”
While the project has huge benefits, working on an initiative this size with so many stakeholders inevitably brings challenges.
“It’s a huge consortium with very broad backgrounds and different agendas,” says Eoin. “Sometimes it can be difficult to align your expectations.”
Moreover, there are multiple technical considerations when developing innovative and complex technology.
“Integrating advanced electrochemical sensors from project partners into our analysers brings technical hurdles like compatibility, accuracy and scalability,” explains Eoin. “The sensors also need to be durable and low maintenance in harsh aquatic environments.”
Reaping the benefits of collaboration
TelLab and Aquamonitrix has a long, successful history with Enterprise Ireland and, according to Eoin, its support has been immeasurable.
“Enterprise Ireland has been hugely supportive over the years in terms of helping us access funding and gain commercial support,” he says. “The partnership has been incredibly beneficial. Horizon Europe has helped strengthen our technological base and strategic positioning globally.”
If you would like more information or advice about accessing Horizon Europe support, please contact horizonsupport@enterprise-ireland.com or visit HorizonEurope.ie.
*World hunger facts: What you need to know in 2023, Concern, 2023
