Dr. Gil Ronen, CEO and Co-Founder of NRGene: “Through our partnership with Bühler and the establishment of the North American Insect Center, we are advancing the insect-based protein industry and contributing to a more resilient food system. As the demand for alternative protein grows, this collaboration combines cutting-edge genetics and technology to drive innovation, enabling significant advancements and unlocking opportunities for scalable, efficient production.”

Director of Innovation
Bühler

Director of Product, BSF
NRGene Canada

CEO
NRGene
In September 2023, Swiss technology group Bühler and NRGene Technologies Ltd, a genomics company, announced their strategic collaboration in the field of Black Soldier Fly genetics and processing. This strategic collaboration took on a new dimension about a year later with the opening of the North American Insect Center (NAIC) in Canada. According to Bühler and NRGene Canada, the NAIC represents a significant leap forward in insect protein production and optimisation, aiming to pave the way for a more sustainable protein market.
With environmental concerns on the rise and with sustainable production becoming more essential than ever, alternative protein sources for both food and feed, especially insects, are becoming increasingly important. Therefore, NAIC, established by the partnership of these two companies which stand out with their noteworthy solutions for the insect industry, looks like it will serve as a laboratory for research and development, training and production optimisation for the sector, which is rapidly moving towards industrialisation.
Thierry Duvanel, Bühler’s Director of Innovation, Dr. Gil Ronen, CEO and Co-Founder of NRGene and Dr. Ben Gradus, Director of Product, BSF at NRGene Canada share the details.
The importance of alternative proteins, especially insect-based proteins, and investments in this field are increasing day by day. Bühler and NRGene are two prominent companies actively working in this area. Can you tell us about the role and position of these two companies in the insect-based protein market?
Thierry Duvanel, Bühler: Bühler and NRGene offer complementary services for those who want to become BSF-based product producers (Protein, Oil, FRASS). Bühler is the leading provider of technology for the growing and processing of insects, including Black Soldier Fly (BSF). Bühler develops and delivers entire processing plants encompassing the rearing, growing and processing of insects into protein meals, oils and FRASS.
Dr. Ben Gradus, NRGene Canada: NRGene acts upstream and specializes in developing custom-made, genetically improved (non-GMO) BSF strains tailored for specific production needs. By leveraging cutting-edge AI-driven genomics, NRGene enhances the efficiency of BSF breeding, ensuring maximum yield and profitability for production facility owners. Together, these companies provide a holistic solution.
With a focus on the animal feed industry, can you explain the importance of alternative proteins in terms of global food safety, sustainability and circular economy?
Dr. Ben Gradus, NRGene Canada: The animal feed sector is undergoing a major transformation driven by the need for more sustainable practices in animal management. Alternative proteins, particularly insect-based proteins like those derived from BSF, are key in addressing global challenges in food safety, sustainability, and the circular economy.
Insect proteins offer a reliable and sustainable alternative to conventional feed ingredients like soy and fishmeal, which face increasing supply chain vulnerabilities and environmental pressures such as overfishing. By diversifying protein sources, insect-based feeds help stabilize supply chains and ensure a consistent, high-quality feed supply for livestock and aquaculture, contributing to a more resilient and secure global food system.
Alternative proteins in animal feed significantly reduce the environmental footprint of livestock production, promoting sustainability. They generate fewer greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to traditional protein sources like soy and fishmeal, while requiring less land, water, and other resources to produce. For instance, capturing just 11% of the protein market by 2035 could reduce GHGs on a scale comparable to decarbonizing the entire aviation industry. Additionally, BSF technology utilizes by-products and waste streams, converting them into high-quality feed, which conserves natural habitats and biodiversity.
BSF-based proteins exemplify a circular approach by transforming organic by-products and materials unsuitable for human consumption into valuable feed products. This process reduces waste, closes nutrient loops, and maximizes resource efficiency in the food system. For example, incorporating food waste in feeds for European pork production could cut its overall land footprint by approximately 21% and reduce GHGs from protein feed production by nearly 12 times. Locally produced BSF proteins further lower transportation costs and minimize supply chain vulnerabilities, thereby contributing to the circular economy.
By integrating BSF technology into animal feed systems, the industry can achieve sustainability goals, enhance food security, and support a resilient global food system.
Can you tell us about your solutions for the insect-based protein segment? In the solutions you offer, which issues do you primarily focus on?
Dr. Ben Gradus, NRGene Canada: NRGene specializes in developing elite BSF strains designed to maximize efficiency and profitability for protein manufacturers. Our advanced natural breeding program focuses on improving performance, with the option for customization based on specific growing conditions and feed recipes. By concentrating on these areas, we address the critical challenges of increasing production efficiency, enabling BSF producers to achieve greater profitability, and contributing to a sustainable protein ecosystem.
Thierry Duvanel, Bühler: Bühler use their multi-decade experience of engineering food and feed production environments to develop specific solutions for the insect-based protein production. Four main areas are covered: the feedstock preparation, the rearing of the insects’ larvae, the processing of the larvae into protein meal and lipids, and the processing of the residues (FRASS) into various fertilizers.
Industrial scale production is one of the most important issues in the insect-based protein segment. What is the contribution of technology to the industrialization of insect-based protein production?
Thierry Duvanel, Bühler: It is generally considered that the smallest profitable operations have a capacity to process 50 to 150 tons of feedstock per day, producing 3 to 9 tons of protein meal daily. However, the real economies of scale are reached at a level of 200 to 500 tons of feedstock, leading to 12 to 35 tons of protein meal daily. The key factors that allow to reach those levels include a careful management of resources, with a special focus on energy and water, and the mastership of well-defined operation procedures. Personnel training is essential. All of this is supported by highly digitally automated processes. Efficient strains play a critical role, hence the importance of the partnership with NRGene.
One of your most recent investments in this area is the North American Insect Center (NAIC). What is the purpose and goal of this center that was established with the Bühler and NRGene Canada partnership?
Dr. Ben Gradus, NRGene Canada: The purpose of the NAIC (North American Insect Center) is to provide holistic solutions for BSF manufacturers. In partnership with Bühler and NRGene Canada, the center provides not only technical and genetic solutions but also the necessary knowledge and support for those entering the BSF industry. The NAIC goal is to advance the BSF industry in North America, facilitating the establishment of new factories, all while embedding circular economy principles into local businesses.
Dr. Gil Ronen, NRGene: Through our partnership with Bühler and the establishment of the North American Insect Center, we are advancing the insect-based protein industry and contributing to a more resilient food system. As the demand for alternative protein grows, this collaboration combines cutting-edge genetics and technology to drive innovation, enabling significant advancements and unlocking opportunities for scalable, efficient production.
Could you give some information about the technological infrastructure of NAIC and the studies to be carried out here? What is the importance of this center for the insect industry both regionally and globally?
Dr. Ben Gradus, NRGene Canada: The NAIC is home to the world’s most advanced breeding program for BSF. This includes:
• The most genetically and phenotypically diverse BSF strains
• The most advanced molecular breeding tools, featuring the only BSF genotyping platform in the world
• High-throughput phenotyping tools and a cloud-based phenotyping database with over 1 million data points
Additionally, we have advanced technology for growing, testing, and producing BSF, including:
• Bühler’s semi-industrial testing unit, the TRU
• Heat tolerance-induced systems
• Image analysis-based phenotyping systems
• Insectocycle cages for BSF egg production
• Separation and initial processing units
The NAIC not only provides crucial expertise and knowledge for local farmers, but it also serves as a global hub for developing solutions for BSF manufacturers worldwide. By showcasing successful strategies, it will also act as a model for other regions, promoting the integration of insects into local economies.
Considering that the insect industry is a relatively new field, it will need to be supported by both practical and theoretical training. What advantages will NAIC offer to the industry in this regard?
Dr. Ben Gradus, NRGene Canada: The NAIC serves as a one-stop shop for the BSF industry, offering comprehensive knowledge, technology, genetics, and expertise on how to integrate it all effectively. By bringing all these resources together in one place, the NAIC will make it easier for newcomers to join the BSF revolution and navigate the complexities of this emerging industry.
We know that Bühler has also had some very noteworthy projects and partnerships with other leading players in the insect industry such as Entocycle, Agronutris and Protix. Could you tell us a little bit about these partnerships, projects and their importance for the sustainability of the animal feed industry?
Thierry Duvanel, Bühler: Bühler is the engineering and development partner for the insect processors and is not involved in the production operation. Protix in the Netherlands, Agronutris in France and Agroloop in Hungary are some examples of production sites where Bühler have supplied their technology and helped in the realization of the plants.
The partnership with Entocycle is to join forces to provide operators with the technologies needed to ensure a steady supply of young larvae at an industrial scale. Although there are specialized breeding service companies in certain regions, in large parts of the world, there is no alternative to having an in-house breeding operation. With this partnership, Bühler and Entocycle address this challenge by offering scalable end-to-end solutions that significantly reduce the time to market for companies building an insect facility.
About Thierry Duvanel
Thierry Duvanel is Director of Innovation for the Buhler Group, managing the front-end innovation activities and overseeing the scouting and engagement with startups for the group. Before joining Buhler Duvanel led MassChallenge Switzerland, the European branch of the leading global startup accelerator. The program runs today with over 1’500 yearly applications from startups from all around the world and provides support to 100 each year. Prior to MassChallenge, Thierry Duvanel co-founded two companies active in software development and medical devices respectively, successfully managed and exited them. Originally from Switzerland, he has been working and living in the UK and South Korea, and is now based in the US.
Duvanel holds a Bachelor and a Master of Science degree in electrical engineering from Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne and has been trained at the International Institute for Management Development – IMD in Switzerland.
While leading MassChallenge, Thierry Duvanel learned about planetary boundaries and the important environmental footprint generated by our food system. He decided to contribute to the development of strategies to reform our food system into a prosperous and regenerative state. When not trying to tackle the root cause problems in our food system and meeting entrepreneurs solving them, he enjoys running, cycling and hiking.About Ben Gradus
Director of Product, BSF at NRGene, Ben Gradus has been working in the Ag/biotech computational biology industry for 13 years, 4 of them at NRGene, and has been practicing agriculture for the rest of his adult life. Throughout his professional career, Gradus has led all aspects of product management, including the development of innovative computational platforms. In the past two years, Ben Gradus has focused on developing NRGene’s BSF R&D program, which includes computational molecular breeding tools, innovative phenotyping, and variety development. He holds a PhD in molecular genetics from the Weizmann Institute of Science, a B.Sc. in agronomy from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and an MBA from the College of Management.