Aquatic Productions & Consulting is working to combine
aquaculture (the farming of aquatic organisms) with
hydroponics (growing plants in water with mineral solutions) into a new business sector called Aquaponics.
The start-up's technology helps naturally turn wastewater into both clean H20 and fertilizer through an aquaculture process. The products can then be used in hydroponics cultivation.
"Aquaponics uses wastewater as water for hydroponics," says Derek Byrd, co-founder of
Aquatic Productions & Consulting. "You're turning wastewater into liquid fertilizer."
The Rochester Hills-based firm is in the home stretch of developing its technology, which would process and clean large quantities of wastewater. The four-person company expects to debut the technology platform by either the end of this year or early 2013.
"We're very close to commercial use," Byrd says. "We will be ready to commercialize it in a few months."
Source: Derek Byrd, co-founder of Aquatic Productions & Consulting
Writer: Jon Zemke