Person with orange cap inspecting the aquaponic lettuce bed from below, with the plant roots visible

Food

A Cycle of Fish Breeding and Vegetable Growing

Food

Rethinking agriculture

Solos stands for a new dimension of food competence in South Tyrol/Südtirol. A start-up company based in Tramin/Termeno sulla Strada del Vino, Solos shows how agriculture can be advanced through systematic professionalisation—from research to successful market placement. With their aquaponics system, which combines fish breeding and vegetable growing in a closed cycle, the founders take a well-known method, perfect it, and adapt it to the local conditions. The result is a model which combines ecological responsibility, efficiency, and local value creation, providing a prime example of how the future of nutrition may be shaped.

Aquaponics for vegetable production

What began as an idea among friends has evolved into a growing company. Its focus is on developing production systems based on aquaponics and controlled vegetable cultivation. The team behind Solos consists of Matthäus Kircher and an interdisciplinary team of founders who established Solos Vita GmbH in 2022.

According to the company, its aquaponics system uses less water than conventional cultivation methods and does not require agricultural soil. “The fish provide the fertiliser, the plants purify the water, creating a cycle based on the interaction between aquaculture and plant cultivation," says Mr Kircher, managing director of Solos.

The lettuce is sold with the roots still attached: a distinguishing feature compared to conventional goods. Solo is currently producing several thousand heads of lettuce per week. According to the company, the system enables intensive use of the available production area.

Two men in a greenhouse in front of aquaponic lettuce beds

Research and development

The company is planning a further expansion of its facilities. Concurrently, Solos is researching insect-based fish feed, animal welfare in aquaponics and energy-saving approaches. As part of the NOI Techpark, the start-up works together with partners from agriculture, trade and research. In parallel, the company is developing an aquaponics system that combines aquaculture, nutrient management and photovoltaic energy generation. These activities reflect Solos’ focus on the further development of integrated food-production systems.

Aquaponic lettuce bed held up by two hands, with water and roots of the lettuce plants visible underneath

Behind the scenes

Gain insights into outstanding companies in South Tyrol. They showcase the potential of this unique business region and set new standards beyond its borders.