Page 59 - ameft-journal-2022-1

French insect producer Agronutris has chosen Bühler Group as its process solution provider for its first commercial scale black soldier fly plant. Bühler will deliver a full-scope solution for the facility, which will be built in Rethel, France. This collabora- tion is a major milestone for both or- ganizations. It reinforces Bühler’s com- mitment to ambitious targets that will help mitigate climate change and build a more sustainable food system and supports Agronutris’ goal to establish itself as a world leader for sustainable nutrition. The plant is planned to go into operation in 2023.
Insects offer a unique opportunity.
They are not only a healthy source of protein for food and feed, but they can be fed on waste, therefore con- verting food waste into protein. The 16,000 square meter insect plant in Rethel, France, when operating at full capacity, will process up to 70,000 tons of organic residues and produce high- quality protein for the aquaculture and pet food markets every year.
“With the launch of this new site, Agronutris is entering its industrial de- ployment stage. The facility of Rethel
(Source: Bühler)
Bühler’s solutions for Agronutris will cover the entire supply chain. This includes a fully automated larvae growth system with sophisticated climate control.
will be our springboard for the further industrial development of our activity,” says Mehdi Berrada, CEO of Agronutris. “Bühler is a world-leading company with a tremendous experience in the food and feed sector. We trust in their capa- bilities to support us in the insect indus- try. This allows our teams to focus on our core activities: insect biology and opera- tional management of our production flow. Our research and development ac- tivities make for our competitive advan- tage”, said Berrada.
“The new project with Agronutris is a milestone for us. It confirms our goal of establishing ourselves as a key so- lution provider for the insect industry and to increase the inclusion of insect
(Source: Bühler)
Andreas Baumann, Head of Market Segment Insect Technology at Bühler
(Source: Bühler)
Mehdi Berrada, CEO of Agronutris
proteins in animal feed. Our solutions contribute to more sustainable feed supply chains,” says Andreas Bau- mann, Head of Market Segment Insect Technology at Bühler.
Upcycling food waste streams
To feed 10 billion people who are ex- pected to live on our planet by 2050, about 250 million metric tons of addi- tional protein will be necessary every year. This is an increase of 50% com- pared to today. The industry must ad- dress this challenge with a more sus- tainable production of existing sources of protein as well as alternative sources for direct human and animal consump- tion. Edible insects can play a unique role in upcycling food waste streams to high-quality proteins, which makes them an increasingly important source of protein while being environmentally friendly.
TECHNOLOGY & SUSTAINABILITY
Bühler builds massive insect plant in France
www.ameft.com
AMEFT 1 2022 59