General Information
The Aquaponics R&D Facility established by HEKTAŞ in the Orhangazi–İznik region is one of Turkey’s most advanced aquaculture investments. This center aims to integrate recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) with aquaponics technologies, managing aquaculture and plant production within the same ecosystem. Due to its strategic nature, detailed information is shared only through authorized reports. The facility aims to become a pioneering center enhancing Turkey’s R&D capacity in water and food security. Figure 1 shows some images of the facility. As the site can be visited only with special permission and its opening has not yet been held, confidentiality of information is emphasized.
Water Source
Unlike classical systems that consume natural spring water, the facility is designed around closed-loop water management. With RAS technology, 99% of the water is recirculated, and only evaporation and maintenance losses are replenished. This approach ensures sustainability, especially in areas with limited water resources. Water quality is continuously monitored by sensors; pH, oxygen, temperature, and ammonia values are automatically controlled. This model is currently applied in only a very limited number of facilities in Turkey.
Production Stages and Equipment
The production process is based on high-tech fish tanks (initially shrimp cultivation is also considered) integrated with biofiltration and hydroponic plant-growing systems. Feeding of fish (or shrimp) is performed by automatic units, while water purification is ensured by mechanical filters, biofilters, ozone, and UV disinfection systems. Plant production units use fish waste as a nutrient source, completing the closed loop. This infrastructure increases efficiency and leaves a much smaller environmental footprint compared with traditional systems. Figure 2 shows some images of the equipment and systems in the facility. In particular, continuous parameter monitoring and the concept of volume adapted to the appropriate species are emphasized.
Water Quality and Analyses
Thanks to continuous monitoring systems, the facility tracks water quality in real time. Parameters such as dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, ammonia, and nitrate are measured by automatic sensors, and data flow is recorded digitally. This prevents sudden fluctuations in water quality and keeps fish welfare at a maximum level. In addition, chemical and microbiological analyses are regularly verified at external accredited laboratories. This system demonstrates that the technology applied is at the same level as modern RAS facilities in Europe.
4.5. Chemical Use
One of the key features of the facility is minimizing chemical use. Disease-prevention strategies are based on biosecurity measures and biofiltration. Ozone and UV systems are used for water disinfection, and antibiotics are employed only in exceptional cases. This approach is important both for food safety and environmental sustainability. The aim is to follow a production policy compliant with international Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) standards.
Suppliers
The facility works with both international and local suppliers. High-quality fish feed is sourced from European producers, while much of the hydroponic and RAS equipment is developed in Turkey. This aims to increase local production capacity through technology transfer. Additionally, collaborations are established with domestic engineering firms for renewable energy solutions. The supply chain is structured with a focus on sustainability and reducing external dependency.
Waste and Waste Management
The facility is designed with a zero-waste vision. Fish feces and uneaten feed are separated by mechanical filters and used as nutrients in hydroponic plant systems. The sludge fraction is concentrated by decanter centrifuges and converted into organic fertilizer. In this way, both solid and liquid wastes are valorized, aiming at zero discharge to the environment. These practices align with FAO’s principles of “Using Waste as a Resource.”
Cost Items
The facility is a project requiring high capital investment. The largest cost items include advanced automation systems, biofilter and disinfection units, energy consumption, and international technology transfer. However, in the long run, savings in water and feed use, reduction of environmental costs, and the production of high-value-added products are expected to yield a strong return on investment. Based on similar facilities in Europe, a payback period of 5–7 years is possible.
Challenges
The main challenges are high investment costs and higher energy consumption during operation compared with traditional systems. There is also a need for qualified personnel, particularly experts in bioengineering and environmental engineering. Since RAS-based production is still very limited in Turkey, local know-how is at a developmental stage. For this reason, joint R&D studies with universities are being conducted within the project to increase technical capacity.
4.10. Innovation
The HEKTAŞ facility is one of Turkey’s first large-scale Aquaponics R&D centers established with a “zero-water” concept. The system, which combines aquaculture and plant production in a single cycle, offers an innovative model in terms of energy and resource efficiency. In addition, industrial symbiosis approaches such as biogas production and organic fertilizer development are being utilized. This structure presents a vision aligned with both FAO and the EU’s 2030 green transition goals.
Employees
Unlike traditional farms, the facility’s staff structure is based on a highly skilled team. An interdisciplinary group of agricultural engineers, biologists, environmental engineers, food engineers, and technical operators is planned. Most of the personnel will focus on research and development activities. Thus, the facility will be not only a production site but also a training and innovation center. Local employment is also valued, and it is aimed to attract local youth to this field through technical training.
Recommendations
For the facility’s sustainability, renewable energy sources should be integrated into the system. Solar panels and biogas production units will reduce energy costs. In addition, rapid entry into international accreditation processes (ASC, GlobalGAP) will strengthen the facility’s export capacity. University-industry cooperation should be further enhanced, especially supporting R&D projects on water-quality optimization and feed efficiency. Finally, the scientific outputs obtained should be shared within the scope of authorized reports, and Turkey’s leadership claim in aquaponics should be promoted on international platforms. Table 1 presents summary information about the HEKTAŞ Orhangazi–İznik Aquaponics R&D Facility.
Table 1. Summary information about the HEKTAŞ Orhangazi–İznik Aquaponics R&D Facility
|
GENERAL |
|
| Facility Area | Under construction in the Orhangazi–İznik region. |
| Water Source | The system is designed for closed-loop water management. With RAS technology, 99% of the water is recirculated, and only evaporation and maintenance losses are replenished. |
| Water Quality Characteristics | The facility monitors water quality in real time thanks to continuous monitoring systems. In addition, chemical and microbiological analyses are regularly verified at external accredited laboratories. |
|
ECONOMY |
|
| Income/ Expenses | The largest cost items include advanced technology equipment and international technology transfer. However, in the long term, savings in water and feed use, reduction of environmental costs, and high-value-added products are expected to yield a strong return on investment. Based on similar facilities in Europe, a payback period of 5–7 years is possible. |
| Suppliers | The facility works with both international and local suppliers. |
|
SOCIAL |
|
| Work Areas | The staff structure is based on a highly skilled team unlike traditional farms. An interdisciplinary group of agricultural engineers, biologists, environmental engineers, food engineers, and technical operators is planned. Most personnel will focus on R&D activities. Thus, the facility will be not only a production site but also a training and innovation center. Local employment is also valued, aiming to attract local youth to the field through technical training. |
|
ENVIRONMENT |
|
| Energy Use Areas: | Units and equipment used in the system |
| Energy Produced | – |
| Generated Waste | The facility is designed with a zero-waste vision. |
|
INNOVATION |
|
| Implemented Practices | The system, which combines aquaculture and plant production in a single cycle, offers an innovative model in terms of energy and resource efficiency. In addition, industrial symbiosis approaches such as biogas production and organic fertilizer development are utilized. |