ISSUE FOCUS FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE August 2025 73 SUSTAINABILITY AS A BONUS On top of the health and performance benefits, the feed including ProteinX also results in a lower footprint. The black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae from which ProteinX is derived is in itself a study in sustainability. They can be produced in a low-footprint production process, using less water than conventional feed ingredients, less land through vertical farming, and green electricity. However, the big advantage of the black soldier fly larvae is that they gorge on (locally sourced) waste flows, which they quickly convert into valuable fats and lipids. They are nature’s ‘upcyclers’, or so-called “clean-up crew” contributing to solving our waste problems. ProteinX’s green credentials have been confirmed in a Life Cycle Analysis by the renowned Deutsches Institut für Lebensmitteltechnik (DIL). According to its findings, ProteinX lowers CO2 emissions by as much as 89% compared to soy protein concentrate. It also shows less land and water use versus soymeal. Protix’s Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is based on real-life product data collected from its industrial-scale facility operating at full capacity, meaning the results stand for real environmental impact, not hypothetical scenarios. SIMPLE SUMS With the Aller Aqua study, deciding to run trials using insect ingredients has been made easy. To support fish farmers in performing a cost/benefit analysis, Protix has developed a simple-to-use Profits Calculator. Producers simply input their farm size, the salmon price, and desired profit margins per kg. The Profits Calculator gives immediate insight into the positive impact of incorporating ProteinX at the inclusion rate of 4% of the feed at the cost of soy protein concentrate. In addition to profits increases, farmers can also see the reduced environmental impact. LORD OF THE FLIES While the general benefits of the black soldier fly as a source of protein are gaining increasing traction, it’s important that not all flies are equal. At its state-of-the-art facilities, Protix operates to the highest standards, with all products meeting the most stringent requirements. This results in insect ingredients of exceptional quality. Protix’s production method maintains the properties of the insect protein, ensuring optimal performance in applications. This sets Protix apart as truly bestin-class. TEST, TRIAL, TRY Recent research has demonstrated that high-quality black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) ingredients from Protix deliver proven health and performance benefits, firmly establishing them as a functional ingredient in salmon nutrition. Now valued as functional ingredients, they open the door for farmers and feed manufacturers to increase their profits while also gaining a sustainability advantage. Fish farmers and feed manufacturers have everything to gain by trialling Protix high-quality insect ingredients and find out how insect ingredients in their feed results in improved yield and quality, higher profits plus a lower environmental ‘fine-print’. Insects as a sustainable protein offer an ocean of opportunities, and the time is ripe to explore the possibilities of this new gold standard for aquafeed. Image: Protix
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