Leading insect producer, Netherlands-based Protix, has secured €45m in funding to expand its insect animal feed capacity within the aquaculture sector.
The funding has been delivered by Aqua-Spark, an investment company focused on sustainable aquaculture, Rabobank, BOM and various private investors.
“With [the] €45M in funding, we plan to expand Protix’s production capacity, especially within the aquaculture industry where the main challenge is creating a sustainable, healthy feed,” said Protix CEO, Kees Aarts.
Mike Velings and Amy Novogratz, founders of Aqua-Spark, added: “We’ve been researching the insect industry for many years, and Protix stands out because of its potential to be pivotal in the development of a sustainable aqua-feed solution.”
Fish raised using sustainable aquaculture methods offer a solution to the global food crisis because they have the least environmental impact of any animal protein. However, as the industry continues to improve overall, feed is still a key concern.
Currently, 33% of all wild fish caught is processed into animal feed, and alternatives like soy contribute to deforestation and do not reflect a natural diet.
Protix breeds insects for animal feed, as insects offer a low-impact protein alternative that can be cultivated on a variety of food scraps helping to solve the increased demand for meat, fish and dairy as the global population surges.
The company is a highly technological and data driven insect producer, regarded for its automated breeding and rearing process. Its products are used in over 12 countries to date in feed applications ranging from pig and poultry to pet food specialties.
