Feed manufacturer commits to more insect ingredients
Aquafeed manufacturer Skretting has signed a deal with black soldier fly farmer Protix that could see up to 5.5 million salmon servings per year brought to market with insect meal incorporated into the feed.
“We are very proud to work with Protix to unlock this new protein source into the aquaculture feed industry to help bridge the future protein gap,” said Skretting’s project procurement manager, Jenna Bowyer, at the opening of a new Protix insect farm at Bergen op Zoom, Netherlands, today.
“We have seen players like Protix make quality improvements with every step and believe these products can make a real impact to future protein supply.”
‘Real transformation’
“This opening marks a real transformation for the entire insect industry, not just for Protix,” said Protix chief executive Kees Aarts.
“This nursery is unique in the Netherlands, Europe and the world. We are delighted that companies like Skretting are enabling the growing sector of insect protein.”
In a press release, Skretting said it had shown considerable commitment to the development of novel ingredients in recent years, including significant investment in R&D.
Safe and sustainable
“It is essential for us that these new ingredients are not only safe and sustainable, but also ensure that the end product maintains the nutritional benefits we have come to expect from high quality seafood,” said Bowyer.
“The aquaculture industry is very large and growing, and it is essential for us to see novel ingredients brought to commercial scale. We at Skretting support Protix in their developments and we look forward to working with more players in this field.”
French insect producer InnovaFeed already supplies black soldier fly-based protein used in a feed made by Skretting for French trout Tuite Service.
Insect-fed trout
Supermarket chain Auchan began selling the insect-fed trout in 52 stores in northern France late last year and aims to have the fish in all 641 retail sites in the country by the end of 2019.
The increasing volume of insect-based protein being produced in Europe is likely to make it a more viable option for aquafeed producers, who require the kind of amounts the insect industry has so far been unable to provide.
In was announced today that French mealworm grower Ÿnsect is to lead the construction of a plant that could eventually produce 200,000 tonnes of insect protein a year.
