As the global population grows, so does the necessity for alternative, sustainably-generated protein sources. Insects provide a natural and sustainable protein source that will contribute to closing the future protein gap. In order to address this potential, Bühler – the leading solution provider for the food and feed industry – and Protix – the leading insect production company – have founded Bühler Insect Technology Solutions. 

This joint venture will develop scalable, industrial solutions for the rearing, and processing of insects to provide protein primarily for animal feed and food. Bühler Insect Technology Solutions is located in China and has already begun operations. “By combining the knowledge and experience of our two companies, we can provide industrial insect processing solutions to address the alternative protein market,” explains Ian Roberts, CTO of Bühler. “Together, we can develop both sustainable and cost effective solutions for large scale insect producers and processors that cover the whole value chain,” adds Kees Aarts, CEO of Protix. 

Speaking with FoodIngredientsFirst, Aarts explained why insect produce is more mainstream than ever before: “Signals in Europe indicate that regulation will change in the near future and we will ensure that in terms of knowledge, experience and technology solutions we are ready for that change. Regulations are more liberal in China, which has led to the practice of raising insects for animal feed to be widespread. Hence, industrializing an existing practice is a logical start point in that region for Bühler Insect Technology Solutions.”

He added: “We believe that insect protein can provide up to 15% of the additional protein production needed in the coming 40 years. We also believe that we can outpace the growth of other innovative sources due to its underlying biology and product quality. We believe that we can provide the complete solution to any customer wishing to enter into insects on an industrial scale.”
 

“With our joint venture we believe the necessary acceleration of the total production base globally can be achieved. And it is important that this happens,” Aarts continues, “The world needs sustainable, low footprint healthy proteins for both us and our planet to live and thrive. As a member of the Global Council on Food Security and Agriculture we address this issue through a.o. a scenario analysis published today in Davos. As BITS we provide the solutions for our customers to produce insect based proteins and ingredients in a safe and hygienic way. Our first solutions will mostly be applicable to Black Soldier Fly but soon also other insects. Our customers know the market, they will bring it an excitingly growing market place ranging from feed, to aquaculture to food and farmaceutical applications,” he explains.

Nine billion people are expected to live on our planet by 2050. To feed them all in a sustainable way, we need more than 250 million tons of additional protein a year – an increase of 50% compared to today’s level. But important natural resources are increasingly in short supply: At present, 30% of all fish stocks are considered overfished. Two-thirds of all vegetable proteins – and even 80% of the soybean harvest – are processed into animal feed for livestock. As more emerging countries prosper, meat consumption looks set to rise by nearly 50% by 2050. Adding to the challenge is the topic of waste: Today, some 30% of raw materials are lost or thrown away between the field and the plate. For these reasons, high hopes have been placed on alternative protein sources such as pulses or algae. One of the most promising sources to generate protein sustainably and with a low footprint is insects: Fly larvae or mealworms, for instance, are easy to breed and can be fed with organic waste. They are remarkably efficient at converting feed into protein and require little space to cultivate.
 
Complementary knowledge and experience
Because of these advantages, insects have attracted considerable attention from start-ups and established players in the food industry in recent years. Protix was founded 2009 in the Netherlands. In just a few years, thanks to its dedicated team of highly skilled professionals, the company developed proprietary equipment and solutions gaining extensive operational expertise not only in the breeding and rearing cycle, but also in separating and extracting proteins and lipids from insects. With a pilot plant, it processes 1,600 tons of insect larvae per year and produces high quality, insect-based ingredients. The company was recognized as a Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum in 2015.
 
“Protix is the most advanced insect company that has demonstrated industrial-scale production in a way that is scalable and multipliable. They have proven how to create a market in insect protein,” explains Roberts. Now they are ready to take the company to the next level and need a partner who understands the requirements of large, industrial processors. This is wher Bühler steps in: The Switzerland-based technology and solution provider looks back on more than 150 years of experience in developing scalable, cost effective, hygienic plants and processes for food and feed products. Bühler is also the recognized technology leader in milling, which is one of the key process steps for extracting protein from insects. Additionally, Bühler supports customers through its global service network. “Bühler has a strong, established business providing technologies for animal feed, and protein from the insects can be used in pellets, or directly as animal feed. With our global market access, technology base, and engineering capabilities, combined with the deep knowledge, experience and entrepreneurial flair of Protix, we have the ingredients for a successful commercial partnership,” Roberts says.

Roberts told FoodIngredientsFirst: “Although one can envisage many applications, our primary focus is on animal feed for fish and poultry. So we are talking about feed pellets that are being used for animal consumption.”

“Sustainability is at the core of our business,” he notes. “As a family-owned business, we feel particularly committed to sustainability. With insect protein, we can address the looming protein gap and make a positive contribution. This protein gap is estimated at about 265 million tons and we need to look at new sources of protein to sustainably provide that. That pressure is not only in terms of consumable protein, but also in the protein we use to feed animals and the land use to produce that protein. And we need to address the fact that currently wild catch is being used to produce aquaculture.”
 
Scalable, industrial processing solutions
Bühler Insect Technologies is located in Liyang, China. The goal of the joint venture is to develop industrial scale solutions for feedstock processing, larvae rearing and larvae processing, and to produce high-quality insect ingredients – covering the whole value chain from rearing to separation and extraction of proteins and lipids. Initially, the focus will be on larvae of the Black Soldier Fly, nicknamed the “Queen of waste transformation” for its impressive ability to transform organic waste products into high-quality protein. Subsequently there will be a diversification to other insects, such as mealworms. The insect proteins will be used primarily for the production of sustainable animal feed, for example in aquaculture, which is the fastest growing agricultural segment in the world. The market for insect processing solutions has huge potential: By 2050, insects could account for 15% of global protein production.