PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The world’s demand for animal protein is on the rise as population and food needs increase. An expected 75% rise in demand by 2050 compared to 2007 (UN 2017) will negatively impact the environment through deforestation for soy production and overfishing for aquaculture feeding.
This growth will also result in greater greenhouse gas emissions, loss of biodiversity, an increase in antibiotic resistant genes through widespread use of antibiotics in aquaculture, and higher levels of organic waste. Only 25% of biowaste is currently recycled into high quality compost and digestate with the majority going to landfills or being incinerated. This further results in air, soil, and water pollution, jeopardizing public and environmental health.
Insect protein meal is a novel resource-efficient, sustainable, and environmentally friendly alternative for conventional high-protein foods to replace unsustainable soybean and fish meal. It is particularly sustainable because according to circular economy principles, it be produced solely using unutilised environmentally polluting biowastes, thereby contributing to reliable, safe and clean waste management while not conflicting with food production.
OBJECTIVES
The overall aim of LIFE Waste2Protein was to develop a commercial decentralised and modular technology processing biowaste into insect protein meal using the natural life cycle of the black soldier fly (BSF). The project aimed to scale a pilot concept of a few kg per day to an industrial-sized plant processing 20,000 kg of biowaste per day, which was mainly provided by local supermarket chains. Comprehensive tests achieved a high level of system automatisation and reduced technology costs, while optimising the quality and quantity of the protein meal produced.
The project contributed to the implementation of the European Green Deal, the EU Protein Strategy, the EU’s Circular Economy Action Plan, the Circular Economy Package, and the 2050 Low-Carbon Economy Roadmap. The results of the project are scalable across Europe, creating a positive impact for biowaste management and feed production.
RESULTS
The project achieved to establish a decentralised and modular production of insect protein meal from biowaste by creating the first insect farm in Europe reliably processing 20,000 kilograms of biowastes per day into high-nutrient feed for livestock.
During the execution of the project, the largest and first of its kind biowaste bioconversion facility, which consisted of 14 40’’ shipping containers, was developed in Germany. Young larvae for insect protein production were instead produced in a separate reproduction facility where adult black soldier flies lay up to 800 eggs per female.
A smart monitoring and control system of the climate conditions in the containers was installed to control air temperature and humidity, as well as biowaste quantities and its composition. As a result, the larvae rearing time was significantly reduced and the larval quality consistently improved.
The project has effectively closed existing regional loops by making effective use of tons of biowaste and producing high-quality alternative proteins. The bioconversion process was scaled from 400m² to over 1500m² and costs reduced by 83% making the protein product competitive to current unsustainable animal feeds. The insect protein the project produced reduced CO2 by 25% in comparison to fish meal and by 42% in comparison to soybean meal.
The project was extensively exhibited through the project duration and results presented at international conferences and fairs. The project has resulted in the development of a commercial decentralised and modular insect technology. Farm units are provided decentralized in the vicinity of biowaste producers to reduce logistical costs, whereas young larvae for biowaste treatment are provided from a centralized reproduction facility. Since 2023, several new biowaste bioconversion facilities are in the planning being implemented from 2024 across Europe using technical and marketing concepts developed during the LIFE project.
