Sources : https://www.efeedlink.com/

In the global aquaculture industry, one of the biggest challenges lies in the heavy dependence on fishmeal made from wild-caught fish, a practice that not only drives overfishing but also places immense pressure on marine ecosystems. As the demand for seafood continues to rise, fish farmers are increasingly caught between the need to sustain production and the growing call for environmentally responsible feed sources. Traditional protein alternatives, such as plant-based meals, often lack the digestibility and amino acid balance required for optimal fish growth, leading to inefficiencies, higher costs, and unsustainable environmental footprints. 

Formerly Ittinsect, now operating as Ocean Twist Biotechnology, bridges this gap by developing sustainable, high-performance aquafeed ingredients derived from insects, microalgae, and agricultural by-products. Through proprietary biotechnological processes like enzymatic hydrolysis and microbial fermentation, the company transforms waste streams into nutrient-rich, easily digestible proteins that can fully or partially replace fishmeal offering fish farmers a cost-effective, circular, and eco-friendly solution that enhances fish growth, reduces CO₂ emissions, and protects ocean biodiversity.

Ittinsect was founded in 2021 and operates with a team that includes experts in biotechnology, marine biology, fish nutrition, and sustainability. In October 2024, the company formally rebranded as Ocean Twist Biotechnology to reflect its expanded operations and ambition as a “circular protein company.”  Alessandro Romano, CEO and co-founder of Ittinsect, is a marine engineering graduate from the University of Southampton who worked as a ship-broker in Switzerland and was driven by a deep love for the ocean and concern over the impact of industrial fish harvest to set up Ittinsect. Meanwhile, Andrea D’Addazio, co-founder and CTO, is a marine biologist by training, with academic and private sector experience in aquaculture, fish nutrition, insect meal, and aquaponics. He leads the technical side of Ittinsect’s biotechnology work, translating scientific research into scalable, sustainable feed formulations.

sources : https://www.aquafeed.co.uk/ittinsect-meets-three-un-sdg-targets/

Ocean Twist Biotechnology uses a proprietary biotechnological conversion process that breaks down insects, microalgae, and agricultural by-products into highly digestible, nutrient-rich protein concentrates. This process involves enzymatic hydrolysis and microbial fermentation to enhance amino acid profiles, reduce indigestible components such as chitin and fibre, and increase bioavailability for fish. The final product is a bioactive feed ingredient that can fully or partially replace traditional fishmeal without compromising growth or health outcomes in farmed species like trout, sea bream, and salmon.

What distinguishes Ittinsect’s formulation is its 8× higher digestibility compared to untreated insect or plant proteins, combined with a rich balance of essential amino acids (lysine, methionine, and threonine) crucial for fish development. In performance trials, fish fed with Ittinsect feed showed up to 15–18% faster growth and improved feed conversion ratios compared to standard fishmeal-based diets. Moreover, the feed significantly reduces the need for wild-caught fish helping protect over 3 million forage fish annually and lowers CO₂ emissions by around 20% across the production chain. The company also upcycles waste streams from agriculture, transforming them into valuable protein inputs, which supports a circular economy and aligns with multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through this combination of biotechnology, environmental impact, and economic efficiency, Ocean Twist’s product offers a tangible solution to one of aquaculture’s biggest challenges: how to sustainably meet rising demand for fish protein without depleting ocean ecosystems.

Ocean Twist has raised funding in several stages, supported by a mix of venture capital, angel investors, public grants, and debt. In its initial seed/pre-seed round in early 2023, the company secured €625,000 from investors including CDP Venture Capital (via its Accelerators Fund), Katapult Ocean, Indico Capital Partners, LVenture Group, plus two angel investors. In addition to that equity investment, Ocean Twist obtained public funding and regional grants (for example from the Lazio region in Italy), which pushed the total raised at that time to over €750,000. By mid-2024, the company had secured €1.5 million in aggregate funding, coming from its private investors (same as prior: Katapult Ocean, CDP Venture Capital, Indico, Zest (formerly Venture), plus national/regional grant bodies such as Invitalia and Lazio Innova, and debt instruments from Intesa Sanpaolo

Final Thoughts

Ocean Twist represents a compelling example of how biotechnology, circular economy principles, and sustainable aquaculture can intersect. Founded by marine-passionate entrepreneurs with backgrounds spanning ocean engineering, biotechnology, and sustainability, the company has turned a creative insight, that so much of fishmeal comes at the cost of marine biodiversity, into a realistic technological solution.

Its approach, leveraging insects, microbes, and agricultural waste to produce digestible, high-nutrient proteins, positions it as a credible alternative to conventional fishmeal. The early trials showing 15 %+ better growth, and the adoption by dozens of fish farmers, point toward commercial viability rather than just academic promise. The dual focus on the environmental impact of reducing CO₂ emissions and valorizing waste adds depth and meaning to its business model. With its proven technology and strong backing, Ocean Twist Biotechnology is looking forward to leading the charge in transforming aquaculture into a truly sustainable and circular industry.

References

Ittinsect. (2024). Official Website – Sustainable Aquafeed Solutions. https://ittinsect.com/en/

Ittinsect. (2023). Biotech startup Ittinsect raises €750,000. https://ittinsect.com/en/news-en/biotech-startup-ittinsect-raises-euro-750000/

Ittinsect. (2024). Rebrands to Ocean Twist Biotechnology as it grows into a biotech-driven circular protein company. https://ittinsect.com/en/news-en/ittinsect-rebrands-to-ocean-twist-biotechnology-as-it-grows-into-an-all-round-biotech-driven-circular-protein-company/

The Fish Site. (2024). Ittinsect announces rebrand to reflect expanded operations. https://thefishsite.com/articles/ittinsect-announces-rebrand-to-reflect-expanded-operations

Tech.eu. (2023, February 20). Ittinsect raises €625k to develop sustainable aquafeed alternatives. https://tech.eu/2023/02/20/ittinsect/

Lventure Group. (2023). The biotech startup Ittinsect raises €750K. https://lventuregroup.com/en/the-biotech-startup-ittinsect-raises-750k/

European Commission. (2023). Ittinsect raising funds with help from BlueInvest. https://oceans-and-fisheries.ec.europa.eu/news/ittinsect-raising-funds-help-blueinvest-2023-02-27_en

Medium (Indico Capital Partners). (2023). Founders Interview: Alessandro Romano of Ittinsect. https://indicocapital.medium.com/founders-interviews-alessandro-romano-of-ittinsect-7513e193d101

Forbes Italia. (2024, January 30). Biotech, finanziamento Invitalia per proteine sostenibili. https://forbes.it/2024/01/30/biotech-finanziamento-invitalia-proteine-sostenibili/

GoBeyond. (2023). Ittinsect Startup Story. https://www.gobeyond.info/en/storie/ittinsect

EU-Startups. (2023). Company Directory: Ittinsect. https://www.eu-startups.com/directory/ittinsect/

Euroquity. (2023). Ittinsect Feed Ocean Profile. https://www.euroquity.com/en/company/ittinsect-feed-ocean

Contributor : Dyah Ayuning Tyas

Reviewer      : Imam Buchari