Ÿnsect has announced plans to build a new insect production site in the US, with construction beginning in 2023, and to establish an insect farm in Mexico.

The French company – which claims to be the world leader in the production of insect protein – turns buffalo and molitor mealworms into sustainable ingredients for humans, animals and plants.

Antoine Hubert, CEO of Ÿnsect, commented: “Mealworm protein is the only one in the world available on the market that can combine not only performance and health, but also natural origin and sustainability. Compared to traditional farming, Ÿnsect uses 98% less land while significantly reducing its carbon footprint for protein production.”

As part of its US expansion, the insect producer will explore potential synergies with flour milling and ingredient company Ardent Mills, a joint venture between ConAgra Foods, Cargill and CHS. According to Reuters, Ÿnsect signed an agreement with Ardent Mills to build a factory next to one of its Midwest US sites – which is yet to be determined – by the end of 2023. Reuters stated that Ardent Mills would supply milling byproducts to feed Ÿnsect’s insects.

“Ÿnsect aims to help contribute to reinventing the global food system, while also focusing on sustainability,” said Hubert. “We are excited to examine potential opportunities with the North America leader in flour milling. This exploration marks the start of potential collaborations between two key players within the global food industry.”

Angie Goldberg, chief growth officer at Ardent Mills, said: “We see many synergies with Ÿnsect – as we both strive to transform the way the world is nourished. We are excited to be exploring potential sustainable food and ingredient opportunities with Ÿnsect, a company that has developed a unique expertise in insect-based ingredient production.”

With the expansion, Ÿnsect aims to establish local relations with wheat chains and limit water consumption, CO₂ emissions and biodiversity impact across farming activities. The company will implement a circular economy model for its new vertical farms, creating value chains that comply with the Paris COP21 agreements.

Ÿnsect and Mexican foodservice business, Corporativo Kosmos, have signed a joint development agreement (JDA) to begin developing an insect farm in Mexico. The agreement marks the continuation of a two-year-long collaboration between the two players.

Speaking on the JDA, Hubert commented: “We are excited to join forces with Corporativo Kosmos. We know their feed will give substance to our projects and their real estate expertise will accelerate our plans and development. We aim to reinvent the global food system with a focus on sustainability. This is why we choose to establish ourselves locally on all continents, to limit our CO₂ emissions across our farming activities.”

Jack Landsmanas, CEO of Corporativo Kosmos, added: “We are very pleased to be actively continuing our collaboration with Ÿnsect, a company that has developed unique expertise in insect production. We are excited about the development of an insect farm site in Mexico, and we believe that the combination of both our capabilities will result in a stronger product mix and a successful partnership.’’

Mexico is the leading country in terms of consumption of insects and insect-based proteins, with the US predicted to be the largest future market for insect protein.