Bühler to expand bug portfolio with yellow mealworm plant

28 Aug 2019 --- Bühler will commission, design and install a 2,300 square-meter facility for the complete production of yellow mealworms (Tenebrio molitor). The project has commenced in the Netherlands, collaborating with a farmer who has already worked on the concept of producing yellow mealworm in an old pig farm. In lieu of rising grain values, mealworm farming is proposed as a solution to pork rearing costs, 75 percent of which is attributed to the price of feed.

Increased production capacity for insects is expected to help respond to increasing demand for the ingredient, which has shown significant growth driven by consumer demands for sustainability and alternative proteins.

“With this project, we will set the bar on modularized mealworm production in an automated and hygienic way,” says Andreas Aepli, CEO Bühler Insect Technology Solutions. “Our technological solutions can be readily integrated into existing farms, but larger-scale facilities can also be realized. Once the first plant is completed and producing profitably in the Netherlands, it will offer livestock farmers an alternative option for gaining a sustainable business with attractive margins.”

The announcement of this mealworm site closely follows the June opening of Bühler’s first industrial black soldier fly plant. Additionally, the company has developed a string of technologies and capabilities to offer total rearing and processing solutions for the insect industry. “Our proposition to the market is to support the industry through solutions that produce and process a range of insect species,” Aepli continues.

Mealworms can be grown on by-products such as wheat bran and rice husks, which can further enable members of the agricultural industry to increase the value of their crops. This form of material use also saves valuable resources, which can help increase efficiency. In comparison, the pig industry endures significant pressure as its already tight margins decline. Productions costs are increasing due to raised grain prices, with feed making up 75 percent of the cost to produce pork.

The description notes that as a “great member of the superfood family, the delicious insects are naturally high in protein and a sustainable source of nutrients.”According to Bühler, the number of pig producers who are leaving the industry is rising, with the producers now seeking a more sustainable business, where they can still leverage their animal farming skills. Therefore, mealworm farming may offer a new and stable production and commercialization outlook for farmers.

Crawling their way to the top
The mealworms are a good source of proteins, fatty acids, vitamins, minerals and dietary fibers, and they are already used in various food products. The company notes that while the mealworm market has shown significant growth over the last few years, the global market size is predicted to exceed its current growth rate. One example is Little Hero mealworms being sold in Dutch branches of Lidl. The brand’s description notes that as a “great member of the superfood family, the delicious insects are naturally high in protein and a sustainable source of nutrients.”

These new products come at a time when the demand for protein is increasing as the global population is expected to reach nearly ten billion by 2050. The protein supply is under threat from land erosion, ocean depletion and climate change. As a result, people are turning towards alternative proteins such as algae, fungi, single-cell bacteria as well as insects. Insects may be especially promising as they can be produced anywhere in the world and can be used almost directly as a high-quality source of nutrition and protein. 

Researchers recently highlighted how the widespread consumption of insects is only viable if the industry steps up. They note that while there is a growing interest in edible insects in Western countries, the infrastructure to supply the new desires is not yet in place.

In this space, The International Platform of Insects for Food and Feed (IPIFF) has published a guidance document on EU food labeling standards that is applicable to insects and insect-based products. This is an important step on the way to mainstreaming insect consumption.

Meanwhile, last week, an Australian agency revealed its “secret recipe” to encourage Black Soldier Flies to mate in order to reduce food waste. By boosting egg-laying, the number of flies that can turn food waste into compost increases. 

By Katherine Durrell