INTERVIEW 60 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE January 2025 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
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