In Germany, supermarkets and food companies discard large amounts of food every day—not because it is entirely spoiled, but due to expiration dates, damaged packaging, or aesthetic standards. To ensure that edible food is not wasted, everything still fit for human consumption is donated to food banks or food-sharing initiatives. However, food that is no longer suitable for people still contains valuable nutrients that should not go to waste.

Typically, such waste is sent to anaerobic digestion plants to produce biogas. While this generates renewable energy, a significant portion of the nutrients is lost in the process. At our pilot plant in Aachen, we offer a more efficient alternative: we upcycle food waste into high-quality insect protein using black soldier fly larvae. The larvae transform organic waste into a sustainable feed source for pet food, aquaculture, pig, and poultry farming. This not only closes the organic cycle but also reduces the environmental footprint compared to biogas production, as more nutrients are preserved within the food system.

To enable farmers and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to participate in insect farming, we are developing automation technologies that lower costs and simplify operations. Our Aachen facility serves as a testing ground for these innovations, paving the way for a decentralized, scalable insect farming model that strengthens the circular economy.