University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

The University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC) is located in the Autonomous Region of the Canary Islands (Spain). The ULPGC as such was created in the 1989-1990 academic year, as a result of a major movement in society in Gran Canaria, which culminated when the Canary Islands Parliament passed the University Reorganisation Law on April 26th, 1989. The ULPGC is a modern institution with a long academic track record, committed to quality, efficiency and modernity. 

ULPGC, leader of the consortium and scientific partner of the project, has a great experience in European Research Projects. ULPGC research includes cutting-edge projects in such wide-ranging subjects as oceanography, marine science, aquaculture, computer robotics, nutrition, cancer, ITC, renewable energies, transport economy, business organization, town planning, translation and the history of the Canary Islands, among others.

ULPGC will be in charge of the pilot plant for BAQUA fibres and pulp extraction, the project general management and also will lead the fish feed validation line and fish quality analysis under BAQUA diets. Finally, they will support the exploitation manager in aquafeed results dissemination.

Web: www.ulpgc.es

The following research groups are involved in the LIFE BAQUA project:

- CFI:

The Research Group Integrated and Advanced Manufacturing (CFI) from Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC) was founded in 2000, but since 1990 (as Integrated Manufacturing Service and Integrated Manufacturing Laboratory) it has been working within the local industry in advanced manufacturing technologies, research and technical support. This research group consists of professors and researchers from the areas of Industrial Design, Mechanical and Chemical Engineering. The expertise and capabilities possessed by the research group have led it to be involved in projects related to the extraction and conditioning of natural fibres for their valorisation.

The more relevant granted projects for the last 5 years have been:
• Development of an automated process to extract fibres from the waste of banana food production for exploitation as a sustainable reinforcement in injection and rotomoulded products (BADANA). FP7.
• Fabrication of cellulose paste by processing of fibre extracted from banana plant.
• Development of Innovative moulds and biodegradable plastics to provide sustainable rotational moulding process (BIOROT).
• Development of news blades made by rotational moulding for wind power mini Turbines (ROTEOS).
• New extraction process for abaca fibre of Costa Rica to obtain cellulose paste (ABEXCELL).
• Recovery of natural fibres coming from banana crops to produce yarn and Technical textile for composite materials (BANTEX).

Web: www.cfi.ulpgc.es

- GIA:

The Aquaculture Research Group (GIA) has a 30 years experience in aquaculture nutrition RTD and cooperation with European feed manufacturing and fish farming industry. GIA is particularly strong in broodstock and larval nutrition, having pioneering work in nutrient requirements definition for marine fish larvae and interactions among nutrients and throughout the life cycle. Also, the research group has an important expertise in the effect of nutrients on fish welfare, health and resistance to diseases, particularly in relation to fishmeal and oil replacement and feed additives. GIA has developed an expertise in vitro, immune-histochemical and molecular markers studies to research nutritional effects on metabolism and development, and has been a major partner of E.U. FAIR, 5th, 6th and 7th FP programs.

The facilities of the Aquaculture Research Group are located in two points of Gran Canaria: the Parque Científico Tecnológico Marino (PCTM) in Taliarte (Telde) and the Instituto Universitario de Sanidad Animal y Seguridad Alimentaria (IUSA) in Arucas.

Web: www.giaqua.org