Multiply and Prosper: Increasing the Productivity of a Black Soldier Fly Genetics Multiplication Facility

This project will scale-up The Multiplier(r), a black-soldier fly multiplication facility that will supply continuously improving high-performance genetics, HiPer-Fly(r), to insect-as-feed producers globally.

Livestock and aquaculture protein demand is increasing due to human population growth, yet current production depends on volatile and unsustainable soy and fishmeal imports. An alternative source of protein for livestock and aquaculture feed are insects, which are rapidly growing in importance globally. Today there are black-soldier-fly producers in the UK, Europe, the Americas and Asia. Market calculations predict 1M tonnes of insect protein/year and £2B/yr revenue. Black-soldier-fly producers need high-performance genetics because production facilities are capital intensive. However, black-soldier-fly producers do not have breeding resources and expertise to develop high-performance genetics, while there are no suppliers of such genetics (breeding programs).

The objectives of the project are to scale-up an existing black-soldier-fly multiplication facility by improving manufacturing efficiencies, undertaking R&D to innovate further on the production process and securing further commercial orders.

The project will deliver the objectives by using the in-house expertise of BetaBugs, coupled with sub-contracted inputs from sector specialists. This will scale-up The Multiplier(r), producing commercial scale quantities of high-performance black-soldier-fly genetics for sale, leading to company growth and commercial success. In parallel, it will increase the commercial viability of insects for sustainable feeds for livestock and aquaculture industries, addressing the challenge of cleanly feeding a growing population.