Wanted to solve industry challenges – built their own company

More than 2,300 exhibitors from 86 countries have gathered at Seafood Expo Global in Barcelona this week. With over 52,950 square metres of exhibition space, this year’s edition is described as the largest in the event’s history.

The exhibition brings together stakeholders from across the seafood value chain, and within land-based aquaculture, technology suppliers are particularly prominent, showcasing solutions related to water treatment, control systems and RAS operations.

At one of the stands, LandbasedAQ meets Innovaqua, where CEO Diego Garcia and project manager Francisco Javier Güelfo Márquez present the company and its solutions.

Founded by producers

The company was established in the 1990s by Diego Garcia and a partner, both with backgrounds in aquaculture production. According to Garcia, it was precisely this operational experience that laid the foundation for the business.

“We came from the production side and experienced the challenges ourselves. That’s really where the idea came from. At the time, it was much harder to find good technological solutions, so we started developing them ourselves, step by step,” he says.

That same experience still shapes how the company approaches new projects.

“We have been close to production and understand how demanding it can be in practice. That gives us a different perspective when working with new projects, because we know the challenges from the inside.”

Project manager Francisco Javier Güelfo Márquez also has a background in operational aquaculture, including work with RAS and production roles in companies such as Bakkafrost, Grieg Seafood and GroAqua.

“I’ve worked in production myself, first as a technician and later with more responsibility for operations. That gives a different understanding of what actually works over time, not just on paper. It’s something I bring with me into this role,” he says.

Focus on technology and control

Innovaqua works with the design and integration of RAS facilities, primarily for marine species, with a strong focus on tailoring solutions to each individual project.

“We develop and design systems based on the conditions available, whether it’s water availability, space or production targets. There is no one-size-fits-all solution,” says Márquez.

One area the company highlights in particular is automation and control.

“Automation is one of the most valuable parts of what we deliver, because it’s about gaining control over the entire operation. That includes everything from pumping and water quality to monitoring and adjusting parameters along the way,” he says, noting that there is still significant room for further development in this field.

The company develops some components in-house, particularly within water treatment, while relying on external suppliers for other equipment where proven solutions already exist.

“We try to develop solutions where we see gaps in the market, but at the same time it’s important to use existing technology where it works well. It’s about putting together a system that actually performs in real operations.”

Global reach, marine focus

Innovaqua operates primarily in Southern Europe and North Africa, but is also involved in projects in Asia, Australia and South America. The work is mainly focused on marine species.

“We work with a range of species, but the main focus is clearly on marine systems. Salmon is a smaller part of what we do, and we’ve only been involved in a few projects related to that,” says Márquez.

Deliveries range from complete RAS facilities to partial systems and individual components, depending on customer needs.

Growing with the market

While the land-based aquaculture market continues to develop, rapid expansion is not the company’s main objective.

“We want to grow in a way that allows us to stay close to our projects over time. For us, it’s important to follow customers throughout the entire process, not just during delivery,” says Garcia.

Much of the company’s activity comes through existing relationships.

“A large share of our projects comes from clients we have worked with before, or through recommendations. That’s probably the clearest indication that we are delivering what we should.”

Aquaculture will continue to grow

Garcia believes the aquaculture industry will continue to expand, despite fluctuations and external challenges.

“This is a long-term industry. I’ve seen both ups and downs over the years, but the overall direction is still growth,” he says.

At the same time, he points to increasing demands on operations.

“As production grows and requirements related to environment and resource use become stricter, control becomes even more important. That’s where technology and system understanding come in, and that’s where we believe we can contribute.”

Busy days at the expo

At the Barcelona exhibition, the company has seen strong interest in its solutions.

“The first morning was very busy, and we’ve had visitors from several markets, including Japan and North Africa. It shows there is broad interest in this type of technology,” says Márquez.

Garcia also highlights the importance of meeting in person.

“Many of our customers are here, and that creates a completely different kind of dialogue compared to digital meetings. For us, it’s just as much about maintaining existing relationships as it is about building new ones,” he concludes.