The biotech company Tebrio broke ground on its new 90,000 m2 plant, which will have an annual production capacity of more than 100,000 tons of products when completed. The mega factory in Spain will use proprietary technology and will respond to the high production demand already committed to the company’s customers.
Tebrio, the biotech company pioneer in the production and transformation of the insect Tenebrio molitor, has celebrated in Salamanca, Spain, the symbolic act of laying the first stone of what will be the largest insect farm in the world. A historic event in which the heads of the company, with its founders Adriana Casillas (CEO) and Sabas de Diego (CTO) at the head, were surrounded by institutional representatives and industry leaders in what is a decisive step towards the future of the biotechnology industry.
This new plant, which will occupy a total surface area of 90,000 square meters when its six phases are completed, five of them for breeding and one for processing, will enable Tebrio to reach an annual production capacity of more than 100,000 tons of products per year. This production includes high quality protein and lipids for the production of animal feed products, 100% organic biofertilizers and chitosan, with applications in the pharmaceutical, cosmetics and bioplastics sectors.
The new factory, which will generate 150 direct jobs and 1,350 indirect jobs, will complete its first phase in the last quarter of 2025, and the construction of the entire project is expected to be completed in 2028. The cost of its construction, when completed, will be 110 million euros. Its location is privileged, as it is in the Puerto Seco of Salamanca, a strategic intermodal platform in terms of communications and one of the main poles of attraction for logistics and transport activity in the west of Spain.
PLANT POWERED BY 100% RENEWABLE SOLAR ENERGY
Tebrio’s new plant in Salamanca will be powered by renewable sources and will triple its current percentage of energy self-sufficiency through the use of solar panels, which will provide 100% renewable solar energy. Tebrio will thus extend the company’s existing commitment to sustainability and the environment. During the construction of the industrial complex, it is planned to reuse the gravel and soil waste generated as construction material for the plant itself.
The breeding and processing of the Tenebrio molitor does not involve air or soil pollution, as it is an insect that does not emit methane, ammonia or other chemical compounds. Tebrio is an active member of the United Nations Global Compact as it annually measures its environmental footprint and its commitment to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. It is also recognized as a BCorp company and Adriana Casillas is an ambassador for the European Climate Pact.
Since its founding in 2014 Tebrio, which transforms low-value by-products, mostly from the cereal sector, into premium raw materials, has developed a zero waste model is key to minimizing environmental impact and contributing to a more sustainable future. The company meets the international targets set for 2030 by achieving a zero carbon footprint, positioning itself as a benchmark in sustainability. With the new facility, Tebrio aims to achieve a negative carbon footprint, setting a new standard for industrial sustainability.
A MILESTONE FOR THE BIOTECHNOLOGY SECTOR
“The construction of our new plant represents a milestone not only for Tebrio, but also for the entire biotechnology sector. This project reflects our vision to lead a shift towards a more sustainable, efficient and environmentally friendly industry. The farm responds to the growing global demand for sustainable and 100% innovative solutions for the agri-food industry,” said Adriana Casillas, CEO and co-founder of Tebrio.
“Laying the first stone of this project here in Salamanca has a special meaning for us. It is a tribute to our roots and the road we have travelled together with our community. This project will not only have a global impact, but will also continue to strengthen the local and regional economy” says Adriana Casillas. With this event and the new plant, Tebrio reaffirms its commitment to innovation, sustainability and regional development, consolidating its position as a world leader in insect-based biotechnology.
CELEBRATING A DECADE OF INNOVATION IN SALAMANCA
The laying of the foundation stone of this new facility coincides with Tebrio’s tenth anniversary, a milestone that the company celebrates by highlighting its evolution and local roots with a clear global and forward-looking perspective. Founded in Salamanca ten years ago, the biotech company was born from the dream of its founders, who began by buying two sacks of the insect commonly known as the mealworm to raise them in their own home. Since then, they have transformed that first investment into a world-leading company.
