POLYCHAETA – Call for Partnerships: Testing IMTA Technology with Marine Worms

Polychaeta, a biotech startup based in Marseille, France, specializes in the production of marine worms and the development of smart IMTA (Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture) systems. After more than 8 years of R&D, we have designed the first on-site circular aquaculture system that allows fish and shrimp farms to valorize their organic waste by producing marine worms (Perinereis cultrifera) in controlled, sustainable conditions.

We are now seeking strategic partners—including fish farms, shrimp farms, aquaculture operators, and research institutions—to collaborate on pilot projects that will test, validate, and optimize this innovative technology in real-world conditions.

We offer:

• Installation of a pilot IMTA unit designed to integrate with your existing aquaculture systems.

• Access to captive-bred marine worms produced by Polychaeta, ensuring biosecurity and reliability.

• IoT monitoring and AI-based decision tools to track performance and optimize production in real time.

• Scientific and technical support throughout the pilot phase.

• Opportunities for co-publication, data sharing, and co-development of scalable circular aquaculture models.

We Aim to Achieve Together:

• Demonstrate the reduction of organic waste discharge through biological valorization.

• Validate the co-production potential of marine worms as a sustainable, high-value output.

• Quantify the environmental and economic impact of circular aquaculture models.

• Develop replicable frameworks for large-scale deployment across aquaculture facilities in Europe and beyond.

Who We’re Looking For:

• Aquaculture farms (fish or shrimp) interested in sustainability and circular economy innovation.

• Research centers or universities working on aquaculture, IMTA systems, marine ecology, or blue biotechnology.

We invite interested partners to collaborate in testing, validating, and scaling this technology to drive the next generation of regenerative aquaculture.