DENMARK- Enorm Biofactory achieved a groundbreaking milestone on December 6 with the grand opening of the largest insect factory in Northern Europe, in Eastern Jutland, Denmark.
The state-of-the-art facility covers 22,000 square meters and is capable of producing over 10,000 tons of insect meal annually. It utilizes byproducts sourced from the food industry.
The insect factory’s innovative approach revolves around the black soldier fly, using its larvae as a primary source of insect meal and oil.
By capitalizing on byproducts from the food industry, Enorm Biofactory transforms low-value products into high-value proteins. The facility has a processing capacity of 100 tons of larvae per day.
One of the significant benefits of locally produced insect proteins is their potential to substitute imported proteins in various applications.
Insect meal, derived from the black soldier fly larvae, has demonstrated its versatility by serving as a substitute for highly digestible animal protein sources, including fish meal.
This adaptability positions insect meal as a valuable resource for livestock production and the fishing industry.
Carsten Lind Pedersen, Co-founder and CEO of Enorm Biofactory, expressed his gratitude for the collaborative effort that brought the project to fruition, stating, “Today, we celebrate several years of hard work, where skilled colleagues and numerous partners have made this project possible. Now, the next phase begins, where we need to scale up production to full operation.”
The construction of the insect factory, which has been underway since 2022, involved various stakeholders, including DLG, an agricultural company that became a co-owner of Enorm Biofactory.
Jesper Pagh, Group Chief Operating Officer at DLG, highlighted the project as a prime example of Danish innovation, offering alternative protein sources for farmers. He expressed anticipation for the start of production and commercialization.
Enorm Biofactory’s dedication to sustainability is evident in its upcycling process. Byproducts from the food industry are used to feed the black soldier fly larvae, contributing to a circular economy and reducing food waste.
Partnerships with companies like Arla Foods Ingredients P/S highlight the potential for significant environmental benefits, including a 16% reduction in food waste.
Troels Møller Olesen, Director of Animal Nutrition at DLG, emphasized the promising results from trials with insect meal and oil, foreseeing exciting prospects in insect production.
“Both in the short and long term, we see very interesting perspectives in insect production. We expect a potential where we have only seen the tip of the iceberg,” he stated.
Enorm Biofactory’s groundbreaking facility is positioned to play a crucial role in advancing sustainable practices in the food industry, advocating for alternative protein sources, and minimizing environmental impact through innovative upcycling initiatives.
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