Research into usable side streams for insect cultivation

An alliance of insect breeders, consultancies, natural capital managers and an animal feed manufacturer will be investigating low-value side streams. These raw materials can be processed into substrate: the nutrient basis for the cultivation of insects. RVO supports the project as part of 'Circular Chain Projects' with a subsidy of € 120,000.

Use of residual flows

The larvae of the black soldier fly live in a carefully compiled breeding ground. Current legislation and regulations forbid the use of residual products from kitchens and catering companies. Therefore, most growers use approved side streams from the food industry. However, this makes the search for suitable raw materials time-consuming and expensive. In addition, it is a shame that many useful products that can be converted by the larvae end up in the biogas plant.

Last year, a total of 1.7 million tonnes of VGF waste was processed. Of this, 0.7 million tonnes were made into compost, 0.5 million tonnes were fermented into biogas and 0.5 million tonnes were incinerated. In this process, valuable nutrients are lost that can be used for the cultivation of insects. By identifying and classifying as many available side streams as possible, the amount of usable VGF flows can grow significantly.

Increasing sustainability through collaboration

RavenFeed Syklus, Nijsen company, Milgro, de Jong and NGN - New Generation Nutrition will join forces in the coming months to design an applicable model. 

On the basis of close cooperation, the consortium will investigate which raw materials contribute optimally to a circular system in which insects prevent nutrients from being lost. In addition, the members want to develop and test a production system that is ready for use in practice.

Ravenfeed.nl