Over the past 15 years, insect ingredients have evolved from a little-known concept to a proven aquafeed component. Increased recognition of their value is due to a number of challenges being solved, and real-life success stories providing solid substantiation for their use. At the 2024 North Atlantic Seafood Forum (NASF) an illuminating discussion between eminent experts and the audience took place about how insect-based nutrition is low-hanging fruit for a low-footprint aquaculture industry. The conclusion? Now is the time to step in with a collaborative approach to create applications and a roadmap to secure supply.
Sustainability increasingly in the spotlight
A growing sense of urgency for sustainable solutions is becoming apparent as well as different sustainable initiatives. Some initiatives are prompted by the upcoming deadline of the European Green Deal and the accompanying EU Taxonomy, aiming for a 55 percent cut to EU greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. Others are motivated by the chance to lead in meeting evolving consumer preferences and to bolster reputation by shrinking environmental footprints. Numerous retailers for example are taking steps to address scope 3 emissions to reduce their environmental impact and enhance their reputation with the increasingly environmentally conscious consumer.
This heightened focus on sustainability is also underscoring the importance of reducing the environmental footprint of the aquaculture sector.
Focus on feed
CO2 emissions from feed account for 57 percent of the aquaculture total, according to the science journal Nature. The independent research organisation Stiftelsen for industriell og teknisk forskning (SINTEF) says the share for Norwegian farmed salmon is even larger, at 83 percent. Considering that feed is the largest contributor to CO2 emissions in aquaculture, it is essential to prioritise efforts to mitigate its environmental impact.
Some retailers have already taken proactive steps with regard to aquaculture feed. In April, Dutch retailer Albert Heijn introduced shrimp in its stores that are fed with a lower-footprint feed. The company aims to halve the ecological footprint of fresh and long-life products chains by 2030. In collaboration with value chain partners Klaas Puul, Nutreco, Veramaris, and Protix, Albert Heijn spearheaded the development of this more sustainable feed based on insect meal and algae oil.
Insect ingredients: a proven solution
Insect ingredients, particularly black soldier fly (BSF) ingredients, have established themselves as a working aquaculture feed solution. The low footprint of the black soldier fly has been proven in a Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) conducted by the renowned German Institute of Food Technologies (DIL) on high-quality insect meal (ProteinX) and insect fats (LipidX) from Protix. Even more impressive LCA data from DIL are in the pipeline: compared with fishmeal, insect ingredients produce 28 percent fewer CO2 emissions and release 86 percent more land for nature.
Multiple studies have shown black soldier fly ingredients to be safe and compatible in aquafeed formulations, as was highlighted by Erik-Jan Lock, Research Director at Nofima, at the NASF. This is endorsed by the industry representatives at NASF who participated in a Mentimeter survey, with 40 percent even stating that the environmental performance of insect ingredients makes them more compatible than other feed ingredients.
Ready to fly
Insect ingredients are not just a technically viable solution. Over the last years, the insect industry has addressed a number of challenges to come up with a feasible commercial offer. Part of the solution lies in upscaling supply for which insect ingredients company Protix, as an example, has been preparing. Protix has been operating a factory at industrial levels since 2019. With this facility, the company has been uniquely positioned to perfect its insect solutions to satisfy feed manufacturers’ needs and prepare for a robust upscaling of its operations.
Investors have recognised the readiness of players in the insect sector. Investment in Protix by the European Investment Bank and a joint venture with industry giant Tyson Foods mark milestones for the industry and allow the sector to expand rapidly.
Thanks to the pooling of scientific insights, technological advancements and heavy investment, the insect industry is now well-positioned to deliver consistently high-quality ingredients in larger volumes. The Mentimeter research conducted at the NASF event shows that the 84 percent of survey respondents have insect ingredients on their agenda and see the solution’s potential.
Stronger together
But although the larger-scale production of insect ingredients in a consistently high quality is rapidly becoming a reality, there are still steps to be taken to exploit the full potential of insect ingredients in the aquafeed industry. Two clear areas emerge from the responses of the Mentimeter audience:
1.Collaboration between the insect and aquaculture industries to showcase successful applications
2.Attraction of further investment through a clear roadmap with clear long-term commercial benefits
To address the first point, Protix calls out to innovative feed manufactures to connect and develop applications together. There is a plethora of (ongoing) research underpinning the potential health benefits to fish and shrimp. While a huge body of evidence supporting insects already exists, there are still potentially very attractive economic benefits to be realised. This is where feed manufactures and insect companies need to pull together, develop applications with potential health benefits, and share success stories. First moving feed manufacturers enjoy the benefit of an enhanced reputation and the whole sector could benefit of a comprehensive set of data proving long-term commercial benefits. At the same time, feed manufactures and insect companies should work together on a joint roadmap to hand-in-hand grow demand and supply in the sector. This way, both sectors can grow responsibly and attract further investments.
Take-off time!
With insect products now available internationally on a commercial scale, the time is ripe for insect ingredients in aquafeed to take off in a responsible way. As pioneers in what was a fledging industry, Protix remains at the forefront of bringing insects into the mainstream. Insect-based feed will truly become mainstream if the aquaculture value chain collaborates with insect ingredient companies such as Protix to secure demand for new production capacity and attract further investment. Now is the time for cross-industry collaboration to create lasting change that will benefit producers, consumers and marine life.
