Producing sustainable feed: Many companies are researching this. A company from North Rhine-Westphalia has succeeded in producing protein-rich feed using the larvae of the black soldier fly.
“We are convinced that insects can trigger a structural change in the food industry,” says engineer Bärbel Girardin. The company Illucens from Ahaus in North Rhine-Westphalia currently only has 15 employees. But the concept is already convincing customers all over Germany – and recently also the jury at the German Sustainability Prize. “Our protein flour is currently approved as feed for pigs, chickens, fish and pets, and the demand for sustainable and regionally produced proteins is constantly increasing,” says Girardin.
Insect farming has the potential to establish itself as an additional source of support for farmers, as it offers an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional protein sources such as soy or fishmeal. On an area of 675 square meters, the team in Münsterland manages to produce up to 3,000 tons of fresh larvae every year – all fully automated. They then extract valuable proteins and oils from the larvae for animal feed and food.
Larvae “ready for slaughter” in 15 days
The larvae hatch from the eggs of the black soldier fly within a few days. The larvae grow in shafts on high-bay warehouses here in Münsterland. They fatten the larvae – for example with old feed. In theory, old food and other waste could also be used. But this is not yet permitted according to EU regulations.
“The larvae are 'ready for slaughter' after just 15 days and are therefore an ideal solution for the sustainable processing of waste materials,” says Dirk Wessendorf, founder and managing director of the company. The tiny animals can then be processed into flour or oil. “Insects are a missing link for a true circular economy. They are able to produce valuable protein from previously unused, locally available organic residues,” says Wessendorf.
The 15-person team at Illucens produces sustainable feed from insect larvae and has been awarded the German Sustainability Prize for this.
Can be used as dog or chicken food
So far, his customers have been making pet food from the protein flour: for example, hypoallergenic dog food, fish meal-free fish food and chicken feed. “Our business model also consists of selling highly automated fattening systems to farmers, food producers and other interested parties who operate them on their own,” says Managing Director Wessendorf. The larvae are then produced regionally directly where the residues are generated, which is intended to avoid long transport routes.
According to Illucens, it becomes particularly effective if the waste heat from existing biogas plants is used to dry the larvae. In Münsterland, they are proud of the automation of the process: only one worker is needed to operate a farmer's entire fattening system. “Especially in the early years, when the topic was still largely unknown, the idea was often met with skepticism,” says engineer Girardin. “The biggest challenge at the beginning was finding colleagues and convincing them of the enormous possibilities of insect farming.”
Source of protein for humans too?
Girardin believes that the view of insects has changed significantly in recent years. Progress in this area shows that, in the long term, insects can be established not only as animal feed, but also as a sustainable source of protein for human consumption. “Together with the Fraunhofer Institute in Gießen, we are working on the project to produce a sausage with the addition of our protein flour in order to reduce the CO2 footprint,” says the scientist.
They have also increased the protein content of insect meal to over 60 percent and reduced the fat content to two percent. “The result is an almost tasteless and odorless product that is ideal as a dietary supplement – especially for athletes and health-conscious people,” says Girardin. The black soldier fly combines two things that are important for the environment and the future of our diet: The fly is considered a highly efficient nutrient bomb because its larvae are rich in proteins. At the same time, the larvae are diligent waste disposers when they absorb and convert organic residues.
