France-based Innovafeed recently decided to pause the operations of its North American Insect Innovation Center, but for how long and most importantly, why? “The broader industrial project remains very much alive and aligned with our long-term roadmap,” remarks Nadège Audiffren, Innovafeed’s Head of Communications.
Merely a year and a half after the opening of its North American Insect Innovation Center (NAIIC) in Decatur, Illinois, Innovafeed has decided to halt the facility’s operations, pausing its US activities altogether. We reached out to Nadège Audiffren, Innovafeed’s Head of Communications, for further info on the sudden decision. Audiffren explains, “The broader industrial project remains very much alive and aligned with our long-term roadmap.”
As part of its partnership with ADM in 2022, Innovafeed breeds black soldier flies in its state-of-the-art indoor farms, while efficiently repurposing agricultural by-products from ADM in a pioneering zero-waste framework. This innovative process yields insect meal, oil, and soil amendment.
Communications Director Audiffren explains the process: “Over the past 18 months, we completed the testing program planned which validated the potential of local corn co-products as feed for our insects (vs. wheat in France). With those results in hand, we are now focusing our joint efforts with ADM on developing the pet food market for our ingredients.” ADM recently revealed one of its newest concepts for pet parents, the Buzz Bar, containing Innovafeed’s Hilucia™ brand of black soldier fly protein and oil.
PART OF A PHASED PLAN FOR RESPONSIBLE RESOURCE ALLOCATION
Audiffren continues, “This pause is part of our phased, de-risking approach, reflecting a responsible allocation of resources to ensure we remain resilient while preparing for the next steps including the commercial-scale facility in Decatur. Both parties remain committed to this multi-phase, large-scale project.”
“Before entering production, the site will of course require a construction phase, which is a significant step to be taken in close coordination with ADM and in line with our global roadmap and resources. For that reason, the precise timeline will be confirmed at a later stage,” she confirms.
At the recent 2025 Global Shrimp Forum, the company unveiled its insect commercialisation partnership with BioMar and retail giant Auchan. This milestone is viewed as a turning point for both the insect and aquaculture industries, demonstrating that insect protein is a viable part of the solution in responsible and resilient shrimp farming.
Audiffren concluded by stating that Innovafeed will be sharing further structuring news by the end of 2025.
