SUSTAINABILITY FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE June 2025 67 by operators who are producing at scale and who are present across various geographies. This often leads to conclusions that are not only scientifically unsound but may serve narrow business agendas. Moreover, these assessments currently exclude forward-looking scenarios, given that the industrialisation of the insect sector is still evolving. Its sustainability credentials could therefore only be adequately measured once large-scale production has been achieved (amongst a representative number of companies), and relevant EU regulatory openings will have materialised (e.g. authorisation for using meat and fish containing former foodstuffs as substrates for farmed insects) - in the next few years. What these narratives sometimes omit is that LCAs for insect farming are not one-size-fits-all. Environmental performance varies widely depending on the species (e.g., Hermetia illucens, Tenebrio molitor, cricket species), the production model, the feedstock used, and the targeted end-product (feed, food, pet food, fertiliser, etc.). These also often omit to encompass all co-products and by-products generated through the production process, such as insect frass used as a fertiliser product. These materials can be efficiently upcycled through a wide range of applications, thus maximising the circularity potential of the covered activities and reducing the overall environmental footprint. Comparing an LCA from tropical small-scale production using kitchen waste with that of a European vertical farm optimised for feed is not just scientifically flawed - it misleads policy, partners, and public discourse. If we are to talk about LCAs, we must do so honestly. Any actor claiming to assess the sustainability of insect production activities must acknowledge this diversity, or risk replacing science with speculation. CIRCULARITY AT THE CORE: A SYSTEMIC APPROACH TO RESOURCE EFFICIENCY European insect farming is a living example of the circular economy in action. It turns low-value and underused organic streams - such as former foodstuffs - into high-value protein, lipids, and organic fertilisers. This efficient bioconversion process reduces waste and enhances nutrient cycling, while drastically lowering the need for virgin inputs. But the circularity does not stop at the farmgate. Insect producers are forming partnerships with local farmers, as well as with other food chain partners, for instance - food processing companies, energy providers, logistics operators, and waste managers to ensure that sustainability is embedded across the entire value chain. From using renewable energy and district heating, to co-locating facilities near food producers and ensuring traceability and local use by crop producers in by-product streams, the model is collaborative and circular by design. This integration is not just about ticking environmental boxes - it makes economic sense. It adds value, creates regional jobs, and increases food system resilience at a time when Europe can ill afford to depend on fragile supply chains for protein. EUROPE’S LEADERSHIP: A HOMEGROWN SUCCESS STORY Today, the EU insect sector is the world’s most advanced, both in terms of regulatory development and industrial capacity. Over 150 production sites are operating across Europe, employing thousands of workers and producing high-quality ingredients for feed, food, and fertiliser markets. ShutterStock | 2098948987
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