Insektianer GmbH (2021)
Overview
Approximately one-third of the food produced in the world turns into waste. This means that 14% of post-harvest and 17% of consumer-level food are thrown away. Organic waste is a big issue because we are not only talking about losing energy and nutrients but also about CO2 emissions. Research shows that thrown-away food is responsible for 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
This project aims to tackle food waste reduction and security by developing Christof Industries’ insect technology further. This technology makes it possible to use larvae of the Black Soldier Fly to treat organic waste. The waste is transformed into a substrate that we use to feed the larvae. After that, we turn the larvae into products, which can then be used for different things.
Christof Industries teamed up with the Insektianer team to develop our insect technology further. Insektianer wants to raise awareness about sustainability and environmental topics. They understand the importance of preserving our ecosystems, and that’s why they are the perfect partner for this project.
The Approach
Based on our current world situation, we understand that our technology can strongly contribute to fighting climate change, and now is the time to further develop it. This collaboration aims to design an insect starter package factory, which will be used as a Research and Development plant for developing our insect technology. We are currently in the purchasing and erecting phase of an insect hub, where we process one ton of substrate daily. This amount is ideal for our R&D goals.
Christof Ertl, one of our Senior Process Engineers involved in the project, talked about how important and inspiring it is to team up with people that are also passionate about technologies that can help save our planet.
Challenges
Located in Wels, Austria, the facility had to go through several inspections and fulfill several requirements. That’s where we faced one of our biggest challenges until now. We had to prove and demonstrate that breeding insects is safe and don’t cause any risks to our team working on-site.
Results
The results are coming later. This is an ongoing project, and we know that the journey has just begun. We are excited to see how our insect technology will develop in the near future and how we can spread it worldwide, which will contribute even more to a circular economy.
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.