Ireland’s aquatech industry is undergoing rapid growth and is ‘ripe for investment’, the experts say.
Dublin-based PT Aqua has been named Aquatech Business of the Year 2025 by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM).
Founded in 2009, the aquatech develops feeds and supplements for the seafood farming industry, specialising in custom feed products for partners. Its most recent product is a soft feed with high moisture content and extended shelf life, which is valuable for species such as cod and halibut that often have difficulty adapting to new diets, the company said.
“PT Aqua is honoured to have been named BIM Aquatech Business of the Year 2025,” Paul Coyne, joint CEO of PT Aqua, told SiliconRepublic.com.
“The aquatech and aquaculture sector has huge potential in Ireland and abroad. We are delighted to be an Irish aquatech company making an impact.”
Richard Donnelly, director of Development and Innovation Services at BIM, the Irish State agency responsible for developing the Irish seafood industry, described PT Aqua as leading the way in aquafarming solutions.
“As world leaders in nutritional products for marine and freshwater fish species across the globe, the team at PT Aqua are renowned for their expertise and customer service. Their focus on innovation and customer services sets them apart from competitors.”
PT Aqua, which has offices in Sandyford and in Trondheim, Norway, received the award at the BIM Blue Ambition 2025 conference yesterday (23 October).
Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Timmy Dooley, TD, spoke at the conference about Ireland’s growing aquatech sector.
“Aquaculture is the fastest-growing food production sector in the world and that growth is fuelled by innovation,” he said.
According to BIM, Ireland’s aquatech sector, which is worth €165m and supports 900 jobs, is on the brink of significant growth. The sector has grown from 42 companies in 2016 to 76 by 2023.
Speaking to SiliconRepublic.com previously, Donnelly said Ireland is well-positioned to capitalise on this growth.
“We have a small aquaculture industry compared to the likes of Norway or Scotland. But where we have a real advantage is in our young, educated population and our tech industry, especially around pharma, genetics, financial services and IT,” Donnelly said.
IVCA’s Sarah Jane Larkin said that the sector is “ripe for investment”.
“Ireland has all the right ingredients to lead this next wave of blue innovation with the talent, technology and a collaborative approach,” she said.
Last week, BIM hosted eight high-potential start-ups at the Aquatech Innovation Studio 2025, which is delivered in partnership with Hatch Blue. The programme provides mentoring, investor readiness training and access to Ireland’s growing aquatech ecosystem.
Donnelly said the Innovation Studio has supported more than 60 companies in the last seven years, helping them to scale sustainably, create more than 200 high-value jobs and attract €16m in investment.
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