Nasekomo: Bringing innovative insect-protein agritech to the global stage

Our world is protein dependent. Sources of protein are a key output of our food system, for our own diets and livestock feed. We are facing the challenge of feeding a growing global population with nutritious and sufficient food at a time of increased competition and scarcity of land, water, and energy resources.

Livestock farming has taken its toll on our planet’s resources. It accounts for approximately 14.5% of total greenhouse gas emissions in 2020 (1) uses 26% of the global supply (2) and is responsible for almost 40% of global deforestation (3). It is essential to diversify our protein sources to support healthy diets and mitigate these environmental challenges. Alternative proteins are estimated to make up 33% of global protein consumption by 2054, with insects accounting for approximately 11% of the alternative proteins market by the same year. (4)

Using waste organic material as a feedstock for newly hatched larvae, black soldier flies have a high conversion efficiency, converting on average 2kg of feed into 1kg of insect mass. Contrast this with cattle that require around 8kg of feed to produce the same amount of body weight. In fact, larvae increase in size 9,000 times, producing protein, lipid-rich mass and other useful substances in only 12 days. (5)

As well as protein ingredients, there are two other useful insect-based end-products with applications in pet food, aquafeed and other feed industries. Firstly, for insect oil and fatty acid that can make pet food more palatable; and secondly as a functional ingredient for livestock, and insect frass that supports plant growth in all areas of agriculture.

Nasekomo has taken an age-old food and applied the new technology principles of vertical farming, data-driven industry and automated platforms to scale their products to produce an alternative protein source. With applications in pet food, animal feed and soil fertilisation this is an investment in sustainable and energy efficient food systems.

Established in 2017, Nasekomo joined the EIT Food RisingFoodStars programme for scale-ups in 2021, where they received guidance and support from industry leaders as well as investment and the opportunity to join a community of agrifood companies. They benefitted from activities such as the Impact Measurement bootcamp, Series A investment readiness, go-to-market webinars, and leadership skills webinars.

As part of the EIT Food community, Nasekomo is working towards a shared goal of creating a healthy and sustainable food system for all, and benefit from meeting investors, founders and corporates at community events.

Others have noticed the potential to create lasting change in our food system and Nasekomo has received industry recognition and investment from the likes of global tech giant Siemens. The two companies signed a strategic partnership during the 2023 UN Climate Change Conference, COP28, in order to support their ambitions to get their product to global reach. This will start with a franchised factory in 2025 in Bulgaria, which will be the second Nasekomo facility after their industrial demonstrations centre near Sofia, Bulgaria.

As Nasekomo scales its operation and builds advanced facilities, it serves as a model for how science, technology, and collaboration can create the future of food. Through support from the EIT Food network and investment partners, Nasekomo is poised to lead a new era in sustainable protein production.

References

1. Thavamani, A., Sferra, T. J. & Sankararaman, S. Meet the meat alternatives: the value of alternative protein sources. Curr. Nutr. Rep. 9, 346–355 (2020).
2. Holdinghausen, H. (2021). Water: Water: Thirsty animals, thirsty crops. Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union.
3. FAO: Remote Sensing Survey
4. EIT Food: Insect protein: is this the future of food and feed in Europe?
   
5. FAO: The contribution of insects to food security, livelihoods and the environment