H2O SciTech - Water Institute

What H2O SciTech - Water Institute does

H2O SciTech – Water Institute (H2O SCITECH – Instytut Wody) is a Polish non-profit research organization founded in 2019 and headquartered in Wrocław, with an operational site in Byków. The institute operates across three pillars — science, execution, and education — focused on the water-food-energy nexus. Its core technical portfolio includes recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), aquaponics systems, biotransformation processes, and floating Plant Filter Islands for nature-based water purification. Signature initiatives include the Urban Aquaponic Farm, the Fermentum Silesiae wild-yeast biobank, and productized research outputs such as the AlgaFibers polysaccharide preparation derived from marine algae.

The organization is embedded in EU and Polish research consortia: USAGE (Urban Stormwater Aquaponics Garden Environment, PLN 10.07M total, EEA/Norwegian Grants), AlgaFiber (PLN 9.89M total under NUTRITECH, with Food4Future Technologies and Tarczyński SA), and ActFast (EUR 4.50M Horizon Europe grant, 2025–2029, 30 partners). It collaborates with 3M, GlobalGiving, Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego, NIVA, Warsaw and Cracow Universities of Technology, Łukasiewicz PORT, and the Żory Development Agency. On the commercial side, it offers quote-based laboratory services (protein/fatty acid analyses, enzymatic activity, physicochemical and microbiological testing), customized R&D, design and build services for aquaculture/aquaponics/hydroponics systems, and educational workshops for schools, families, and corporate groups. Revenue is not publicly disclosed and is primarily grant-driven, with limited direct service revenue.

Name

H2O SciTech - Water Institute

Legal name

H2O SCITECH – INSTYTUT WODY

Website

https://h2o-scitech.eu

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

H2O SciTech – Water Institute is a Wrocław-based Polish non-profit research organization developing sustainable aquaculture, aquaponics, biotransformation, and nature-based water purification technologies, serving EU-funded consortia, food industry partners, and educational communities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainable Aquaculture and Water Management Research

NAICS

Aquaculture (11251), Water Supply and Irrigation Systems (22131), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Water Supply (4941)

akta.pro primary industry

Water & Wastewater Treatment Plant Equipment (Clarifiers, Aeration, Membrane Systems) (IMAHAEAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Irrigation Systems & Water Management (Ag) (EDAOAOAG), Industrial Water Reuse Utilities (ZLD/MLD & Process Water Recycling) (EUANAGAG), Monitoring & Control (Dosing Systems, Remote Monitoring, Sensors) (BPABAJAK)

Keywords

• Sustainable aquaculture research
• Aquaponics systems design
• Water purification biotechnology
• Biotransformation services
• Environmental research institute

Headquarters

HQ city

Wrocław

HQ country

Poland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. R&D Project Funding: Majority of revenue comes from EU and government research grants including Horizon Europe (ActFast), NUTRITECH program, and BADANIA STOSOWANE program. Projects include USAGE, AlgaFiber, and ActFast with total values ranging from millions to tens of millions PLN/EUR.
2. Research Services: Provides laboratory testing services including protein/fatty acid analysis, enzymatic activity measurement, physicochemical parameters, microbiology testing, and customized analyses for clients.
3. Educational Workshops: Conducts educational workshops for different age groups including primary/secondary school students, adults, seniors, families, and company employees on environmental education, aquatic environment, and food production technologies.
4. Technology Consulting: Offers technological support including designing and building aquaculture/aquaponics/hydroponics systems, consulting on breeding and cultivation, and solving technological problems.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

H2O SciTech - Water Institute is a non-profit applied-research organization that develops and demonstrates sustainable food-production and water-management technologies. Its deliverables include integrated RAS + aquaponics systems, plant-filter island water-purification units, biotransformation and fermentation pipelines, and biological preparations such as algae-fiber polysaccharide products (AlgaFibers), delivered through research projects, pilot installations, and technology-transfer engagements.

Product overview

H2O SciTech - Water Institute is a research and development organization that offers an integrated portfolio of sustainable food production solutions. The core offerings include the Urban Aquaponic Farm and USAGE project (aquaponics systems combined with rainwater collection), Plant Filter Islands for natural water purification, Fermentum Silesiae biobank for wild yeast preservation, and AlgaFibers polysaccharide preparation from sea algae. Supporting services include RAS (Recirculating Aquaculture Systems), aquaponics system design and construction, biotransformation services, educational workshops, and laboratory research services covering proteins, fatty acids, enzymatic activity, and microbiological analyses. The organization focuses on the water-food-energy nexus and circular economy principles.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Urban Aquaponic Farm: An urban farming initiative combining aquaponics systems with rainwater collection infrastructure for food production, education, and community engagement.
• Plant Filter Islands
• Fermentum Silesiae

Products and services

• Urban Aquaponic Farm
• Plant Filter Islands
• Fermentum Silesiae Fermentation-based research and production pipeline operated by H2O SciTech, used for developing biological preparations and bioprocesses; offered to research and industry partners as a fermentation technology platform.
• AlgaFibers Polysaccharide-based biological preparation derived from algae fibers, developed by H2O SciTech as a tangible bioproduct output of its biotechnology research; positioned as a biological preparation for partner use.
• Biotransformation Services Applied research and process-development services in microbial/enzymatic biotransformation, delivered to industry and research partners seeking to convert substrates or waste streams into higher-value biological products.
• Contracted Research and Technology Development Project-based applied research, feasibility studies, and technology-development engagements covering aquaculture, aquaponics, water treatment, and biotechnology, delivered to corporate, municipal, and institutional clients.
• Technological Support Services Technical-support engagements covering design, deployment assistance, and operational guidance for H2O SciTech-developed systems such as RAS, aquaponics installations, and Plant Filter Islands, delivered to partner organizations.
• Educational Workshops and Demonstrations Hands-on workshops, training sessions, and on-site demonstrations at H2O SciTech's facilities (e.g., Urban Aquaponic Farm, Plant Filter Islands), delivered to schools, universities, NGOs, and community groups for sustainability education and capacity-building.

Quantifiable outcome

• Plant filter islands successfully created habitat for aquatic organisms including crayfish and snails
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core, major and minor.

• ActFast Consortium (Horizon Europe)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 July 202530 partners from 10 EU member states plus Norway, Tunisia, and Egypt. Key partners include Nofima, IRTA, Benchmark Genetics, Skretting, NIOF, AquaBioTech Group, NTT DATA, coordinated by Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di Bologna. Project develops climate-adapted aquaculture strategies.
• Food4Future Technologies Sp. z o.o.flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 October 2023Consortium leader for AlgaFiber project developing innovative polysaccharide preparation from marine algae. Partnership focuses on functional food ingredients for metabolic health.
• 3M Polska (3M Company)coreGTM or Marketing Partner3M is a key partner providing conference facilities for Plant Filter Islands project workshops and ongoing financial/marketing support for environmental initiatives. Partnership enabled construction of filtration islands and community engagement activities.
• GlobalGivingcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGlobalGiving connects H2O SciTech with donors and companies for grassroots environmental projects. Supported Plant Filter Islands project to improve water quality in the Oder River through community-based initiatives.
• Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego (BGK)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerBGK supports educational activities in water protection, aquatic plant life, and sustainable food production through the 3W Idea initiative. Partnership enables school workshops and community education programs.
• Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of USAGE project consortium. Norwegian research partner contributing to urban aquaponics and stormwater management solutions.
• Politechnika Warszawska (Warsaw University of Technology)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of USAGE project consortium. Contributes technical expertise to urban aquaponics garden environment development.
• Politechnika Krakowska (Cracow University of Technology)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of USAGE project consortium. Technical partner for urban stormwater aquaponics system design.
• CASE – Center for Social and Economic ResearchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of USAGE project consortium. Provides socioeconomic analysis for urban aquaponics initiatives.
• Fridtjof Nansen Foundation in PolhøgdaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of USAGE project consortium. Environmental foundation contributing to sustainable development initiatives.
• Tarczyński SAmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium partner in AlgaFiber project. Polish food company contributing to development of algae-based food ingredients.
• Żory Development AgencymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to relocate and continue Urban Aquaponic Farm operations in Żory. Cooperates on popularizing aquaponics and hydroponics technologies in preparation for Center for Innovative Urban Agriculture.
• Państwowe Gospodarstwo Wodne Wody PolskieminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolish national water management authority supported Plant Filter Islands project and provided guidance on river water monitoring.
• Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di BolognaflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject coordinator for ActFast Horizon Europe initiative. Hosted official project kick-off meeting in Bologna July 2025.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• IFREMER: French national institute for ocean science and aquaculture research. Much larger incumbent in marine/aquaculture R&D, particularly relevant for H2O SciTech's seaweed biorefining (AlgaFiber) and Mediterranean aquaculture work.
• Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ): German large-scale research center for environmental research including water systems and biotechnology. Overlaps with H2O SciTech on biotransformation and water treatment R&D, but at significantly greater scale and resource base.
• SINTEF Ocean: Norwegian applied research institute covering fisheries, aquaculture, and marine resource management. Functions as both peer and larger-scale incumbent in European aquaculture R&D consortia.
• Wageningen University & Research: Dutch research university consistently ranked #1 globally for agriculture and aquaculture. Acts as a broad incumbent whose aquaculture and food-system research programs overlap with H2O SciTech's water-food-energy nexus focus.
• IHE Delft: Dutch institute for water and environmental education and research. Comparable through the water-quality and water-treatment lens (Plant Filter Islands), though focused more on capacity building than aquaculture.

Direct peers

• AquaBioTech Group: Malta-based aquaculture research and consulting firm specializing in RAS, aquaponics, and aquatic species R&D. Also an ActFast consortium partner; comparable in size and focus areas to H2O SciTech.
• Nofima: Norwegian institute for applied research in aquaculture, fisheries, and food — the leading European aquaculture R&D body. Direct peer as ActFast consortium partner operating in the same climate-adapted aquaculture research space, though at substantially greater scale.

Emerging players

• Cawthron Institute: New Zealand-based independent aquaculture and marine biotechnology research institute. Comparable in size and applied research orientation; operates in a more developed commercial aquaculture market.

Regional players

• Łukasiewicz PORT (Polish Ośrodek Rozwoju Technologii): Polish applied research network providing analytical services and biotechnology R&D. Already a service provider to H2O SciTech on the AlgaFiber project (amino acid, NMR analyses), and a natural regional peer for biotech and water research in Poland.

Others

• Tarczyński SA: Polish food industry partner (and AlgaFiber consortium member) commercializing algae-derived ingredients. Not a peer in the R&D sense, but a strategic partner/buyer-side counterparty representing the commercial pathway for H2O SciTech's biotransformation output.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/h2oscitech

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about H2O SciTech - Water Institute