PLATYPIS

Project "PLATYPIS" data sheet

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 Project objective

The global feed market is expected to experience a shortage of 60M tonnes of protein by 2030. Insect protein has huge potential to be produced efficiently and locally, strengthening the EU protein and feed supply chains. Globally, the Black Soldier Fly (BSF), has emerged as the prime candidate for insect production – 30 commercial producers already operate in the EU, with anticipated outputs of 1.2M tonnes of insect protein by 2025.

However, little focus has been put on developing new breeds of high-performance BSF. Beta Bugs, the insect breeding company, vision is one in which insects feed, fuel and supply a growing population. To do this we have developed an innovative solution to this problem: creating high performance BSF breeds using high-throughput technologies, including the PLATform for TYPing of Insect Strains. Our current objective is to double the productivity of the entire “insects as feed” industry by supplying our breeds to BSF producers, our customers.

Our breeds amplify BSF producer yields, driving down costs of production whilst simultaneously boosting product quality. Our breeds are built with agri-food value chain stakeholders in mind, ensuring they also benefit the entire agri-food value chain. In farming these breeds, BSF producers will be able to compete on price with soymeal and fishmeal, whilst providing a stable protein supply to the EU’s agri-food chain. This ensures that consumers will still be access high-quality animal protein despite population growth and diminished supply of soy and fishmeal from outside of the EU.

This Phase 1 SME Instrument project aligns with Beta Bugs’ business strategy by enabling it to assess the technical, financial and commercial feasibility of producing, commercializing and distributing elite BSF breeds to European BSF producers. In doing so, Beta Bugs will identify key factors and risks that will determine market entry, and build the customer network through which it will fast track its breeds.