Working with nature to make food last longer: Apeel
Edible plant-derived protection that's applied to the surface of fresh produce.
“We harness the power of insects to convert food waste into valuable proteins.”
Agriprotein aims to reduce the use of unsustainable animal feed by creating a sustainable alternative that harnesses the metabolism of more than eight billion winged helpers - black soldier flies.
Why it’s an example of the circular economy
Just as the circular economycircular economyA systems solution framework that tackles global challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, waste, and pollution. It is based on three principles, driven by design: eliminate waste and pollution, circulate products and materials (at their highest value), and regenerate nature. is inspired by natural systems, Agriprotein’s waste conversion process has also been tested and perfected by nature. For over a hundred million years, fly species have been breaking down waste material, whilst providing food for fish, birds, and animals higher up the food chain. This is the essence of Agriprotein’s business - black soldier flies (hermetia illucens) are used to transform discarded organic matter into high-quality protein feed for the fish, poultry and other industries.
“Our mission is to close a loop in food production and reinvent the unsustainable use of fishmeal, delivering natural alternative ingredients that contribute to saving our seas.”
How it works
By using the remarkable nutrient-recycling capacity of the black soldier fly larvae, organic waste can be converted into high-quality protein in a very short time period. What makes it particularly smart is the residual material from the conversion process is a high-quality compost that can be used to regenerate soils.
The process
Organic food waste transported to the Agriprotein facility.
Waste is processed and crushed into a paste.
Black soldier flies are brought together in climate-optimised cages to mate.
Females lay about 500 eggs which hatch after about five days.
Larvae scattered over the organic waste (nicknamed ‘larvae lunch’).
Larvae increase in weight and convert the organic nutrients into protein.
Larvae are dried and milled to remove fat, creating MagMeal - a 55% protein natural organic animal feed.
The fat is converted into MagOil, providing an omega-rich health supplement for animals or used as biofuel.
The remaining organic material is transformed into MagSoil - a nutrient-rich compost
