November 23, 2020

InnovaFeed opens new insect protein plant in Nesle, France

InnovaFeed has announced the opening of its insect protein production site in Nesle, north of France.

The development marks the culmination of an innovative agro-industrial project which constitutes a world first in terms of production capacity achieved and environmental performance obtained, thanks to its unique industrial symbiosis model, InnovaFeed said.

Launched in 2016, InnovaFeed aimed to help build and support global sustainable food systems.

The company developed a new source of high-quality insect protein, derived from the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) to support animal agriculture. This ingredient is a rich source of well-balanced essential amino acids, making it a crucial alternative to fishmeal that meets the nutritional needs of fish and improves their health.

In addition to protein, InnovaFeed's insects are an excellent source of high-quality oil. This highly digestible source of energy for poultry and swine can be an alternative to other vegetable oils, such as soy and palm, which are largely imported.

InnovaFeed now plans to launch a new protein product specifically designed for shrimp, that combines a certified 50% lower carbon footprint with stand-out performance - improving feed efficiency by up to 27%, growth rate by up to 24% and reducing mortality due to disease.

After the 2017 opening of a pilot plant in the north of France, InnovaFeed capitalised on its building momentum by initiating the construction of the Nesle site.

With the opening of the Nesle site, InnovaFeed is taking that new step. With a capacity of 15,000 tonnes of insect protein, the site will feed an equivalent of 400,000 tonnes of fish, poultry and pigs a year. The achievement is made possible thanks to InnovaFeed's disruptive technology, which combines robotics and artificial intelligence. In total, more than 3,000 sensors associated with the optical counting systems developed in-house by InnovaFeed make it possible to optimise and monitor at all times the rearing conditions of the 20,000 eggs collected every second.

- InnovaFeed