The future of
food retail
Providing access to sustainable produce
Food that makes the difference
At ECF Farmsystems, we believe in pioneering a sustainable future by integrating state-of-the-art food production technology into the infrastructure of food retailers. We develop, plan, build and operate aquaponic farmsystems.
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We strategically position our farms near stores and industrial centers to utilize waste heat and other resources. This symbiotic relationship allows us to turn negative outputs into valuable inputs for our operations.
Combining aquaculture and hybrid vertical farming
ECF's farm systems seamlessly blend aquaculture and hybrid vertical greenhouse production.
We produce higher yields on smaller surfaces with less resources, minimizing the ecological impact.
ECF Aquaponics
Bacteria transform fish water
into fertilizer for plants, maximizing waste utilization.
CO₂ from fish supports greenhouse photosynthesis, while oxygen generated by plants fosters a beneficial environment for fish.
The collected rainwater sustains fish and plants and reduces reliance on fresh water sources
50 % of plant growth occurs vertically generating 152 % higher yields per square meter compared to conventional greenhouse farming.
50 % of plant growth occurs horizontally, reducing heat demand by 60 % compared to conventional farming.
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Read MoreECF Aquaponics is a consistent further development of classic aquaponics. An innovative coupling of two circuits was developed from the one closed circuit: an aquaculture circuit for fish farming and a vertical and horizontal circuit for plant production. Monitored and controlled by smart measurement and control technology. By using two water circuits, individual pH values for fish and plants can now be set in the water. Furthermore, additional plant nutrients can be added to the plant circuit without harming the fish. The fish water continues to be used twice, transporting the fish excreta to the plants as fertilizer. The CO2 released in the fish farm can be fed into the plant farm where it can be utilised and neutralised by the plants as additional fertilizer. During 50 % of the growth cycle, our vertical production system concentrates energy precisely where it's needed most: on the plants themselves, ensuring optimal utilization of nearly every photon for maximum growth. Then, seamlessly transitioning to our horizontal setup, we capitalize on the abundant energy of the sun. Compared to traditional greenhouse farming, our hybrid production technology increases yields per square meter by 152%, while simultaneously reducing heat demand by 60%.
We actively avoid, reduce and reuse resources
Sustainability
as an asset
Our sustainable farming methods empower food retailers to offer environmentally friendly products, fostering customer loyalty and growth while preparing for future regulations. Through Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), we ensure sustainability in all our projects, managing our footprint and enhancing processes for continual improvement.
What ECF is doing directly contributes to the UN Sustainability Development Goals
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 global objectives adopted by the United Nations in 2015. They aim to address pressing environmental, social, and economic challenges to ensure a sustainable future for all by 2030.
From farm
to shelf
ECF Farmsystems offers tailored solutions, including building and operating aquaponics farms and producing fresh, sustainable produce for food retailers. Through partnership we align on the optimal product-market fit, with ECF producing sustainable products at accessible prices, while our partners excel in sales and distribution.
ECF Operator Model
ECF
Food Retail Partner
Planning
Investment
Operation
Sales
Specialist planner
ECF is commissioned with the planning of the farm
Building is financed and owned by food
retailer
Lease agreement: ECF produces food and pays investment lease
Buying contract:
Food retailer receives ultra fresh and sustainable produce
ECF Producer Model
ECF
Food Retail Partner
Planning
Investment
Operation
Sales
Project contract
food retailer secures sustainability partnership
& product range
ECF converts suitable regional production sites into sustainable full assortment farms
ECF produces food on own farm in synergy with environment and logistics
Purchase agreement
Food retailers receive regional, ultra-fresh food in safe quantities
We grow what people love to eat
From basil to trout, we offer a wide variety of customizable combinations tailored to meet market demand.
Basil
Baby Leaf
Parsley
Lettuce
Dill
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Read MoreECF Aquaponics is a consistent further development of classic aquaponics. An innovative coupling of two circuits was developed from the one closed circuit: an aquaculture circuit for fish farming and a vertical and horizontal circuit for plant production. Monitored and controlled by smart measurement and control technology. By using two water circuits, individual pH values for fish and plants can now be set in the water. Furthermore, additional plant nutrients can be added to the plant circuit without harming the fish. The fish water continues to be used twice, transporting the fish excreta to the plants as fertilizer. The CO2 released in the fish farm can be fed into the plant farm where it can be utilised and neutralised by the plants as additional fertilizer. During 50 % of the growth cycle, our vertical production system concentrates energy precisely where it's needed most: on the plants themselves, ensuring optimal utilization of nearly every photon for maximum growth. Then, seamlessly transitioning to our horizontal setup, we capitalize on the abundant energy of the sun. Compared to traditional greenhouse farming, our hybrid production technology increases yields per square meter by 152%, while simultaneously reducing heat demand by 60%.
From vision
to reality
In 2021, our long-held vision of a self-producing supermarket became a reality with the inauguration of the first REWE Green Farming supermarket in Wiesbaden with many more to come.
REWE aims to lead food retail trends and has actively invested in redesigning our stores so that they are fit for the future.
ECF Farmsystems provides an important part of our solution. It delivers fantastic quality fish and greens with the kind of environmental benefits we need. And it looks great!
Peter Maly,
COO, Board Member REWE Group
The award winning REWE Green Farming Supermarket supplies up to 500 supermarkets with fresh fish and basil.
Red Dot Design Award
2022
Civic Trust Awards
2024
Store of the Year
2022
DGNB Gold
2023
Sustainability Check: REWE Green Farming
LAND FOOTPRINT
WATER FOOTPRINT
58
Basil pots / qm
ECF Farm Wiesbaden
Greenhouse production LED assimilation lights
Horizontal / Vertical
23
plants / qm
Conventional Greenhouse
Greenhouse production LED assimilation lights
Horizontal
95 %
less water use
in comparison to conventional open field cultivation thanks to aquaponics
CARBON FOOTPRINT
PLASTIC FOOTPRINT
-60.3 % CO
20.2 tons
reduction: Less space means less heat needed. If heat comes from natural gas, that's 74.34 tons less CO₂
of Plastic saved: Our herbs are sold without plastic packaging, preventing 73.2 tons of CO₂ emissions
Up and Running:
ECF Farm
Berlin (GER)
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Built 2015 supplying REWE since 2018
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Production facility 1.800 m²
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Aquaculture 30 tons
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Pots basil 450.000
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Rewe stores supplied 350
Ecco JÄGER
Bad Ragaz (CH)
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Planned and constructed by ECF in 2015
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Production facility 1.200 m²
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Situated on rooftop of distribution center
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Seamlessly integrated into building structure and logistic processes
REWE Green Farming
Wiesbaden (GER)
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Built 2021 on REWE supermarket
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Production facility 2.300 m²
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Aquaculture 10 tons
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Pots basil 730.000
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Rewe stores supplied 500
BIGH Aquaponics Farm
Brussels (BE)
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Planned and constructed by ECF in 2019
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Production facility 2.400 m²
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Situated on rooftop of market hall
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Pioneering sustainable & urban agriculture in Belgium
Sustainability in food production can only be achieved if all resources and processes are radically questioned and if every parameter is boldly redesigned to meet extremely high requirements. The resulting enhancement must be measurable, production must be profitable, and, above all, consumer prices must be kept as low as possible.
Nicolas Leschke
Founder & CEO ECF Farmsystems