(2016 - 2020)
Overview
This project was all about industrialization and engineering. This was the first project of our insect
technology, and it took place in Cape Town, South Africa. The concept of insect technology is based on transforming waste into products, particularly food waste. One-third of the food produced on the planet is thrown away, leading to a loss of energy and nutrients. In addition, organic waste is responsible for 8-10% of greenhouse gas emissions. With our insect technology, we use food waste to feed Black Soldier Flies’ larvae and then transform the larvae into products that can be used for different purposes.
The Approach
Christof Industries’ role was to develop an industrialization concept and give support in each step of the client’s transformation, from mechanical to automated handling.
Challenges
This was an international project, which means we had to combine different suppliers from all over the world. One of our biggest challenges was importing technology from Europe to South Africa.
Results
By the end of the project, we were able to transform a low-tech and throughput company into a completely functioning company capable of delivering high-quality products. We successfully built an important player when it comes to building a circular economy. We contributed to fighting climate change by helping to develop a technology that focuses on organic waste treatment. Christof said, “It was my first contact with the Black Soldier Fly, and I got so inspired from day one. Since then, I became an advocate of using insects for solving humankind’s problems.”
Building a circular economy
Projects like this contribute to the creation of a circular economy. Christof Industries has the experience, expertise, and know-how to support and make projects like this possible. Get in contact with us and let our team help you develop your business or next project.
Technical Information
In South Africa, we had to recreate the substrate preparation area completely. The substrate is the larvae’s feed made with food waste. In the substrate preparation area, we installed a bio-separator, de-oiling and dewatering unit, and thermal stabilizer. We also had to recreate the harvesting and processing area for the larvae with wet rendering technology and installation of a TORBED system, which we designed with our partner from Torftech for the separation and drying of the larvae.
