AgriProtein has created a sustainable alternative to ocean-derived fishmeal by using fly larvae to turn food waste into protein-rich animal feed, oil for pet foods, and a soil-enriching compost.
To satisfy the global demand for meat and fish, livestock and fish farms typically use protein-rich fishmeal as feed. High demand for fishmeal contributes to the declining global fish stocks. AgriProtein have developed a process whereby waste from cities is fed to fly larvae, which grow rapidly by feeding on the waste and biodegrading it. When they’ve grown, the larvae and the organic residues are processed into MagMeal, MagOil and MagSoil.
MagMeal is a protein-rich feed ingredient, which is used as a fishmeal replacement for poultry farms, fish farms and other aquaculture. MagOil contains healthy acids and is used to make fish pellets and pet food, and MagSoil is a soil-enriching compost high in nitrogen.
At present, AgriProtein processes 110 tons of fresh waste per day. From this, they produce 20 tonnes of fly larvae for producing their protein-rich feed and 40 tons of fertilizer. According to the company, the remainder of the mass is moisture which evaporates to the atmosphere. The company has ambitious expansion plans, having developed a standard 250 tonne per day plant, with plans to roll out up to 25 of these factories per year.
Why you should care
AgriProtein have developed a process that helps to solve the three separate and pressing global challenges of landfill waste, fish stock depletion and global greenhouse gas emissions. By using organic waste to feed fly larvae, which in turn are used as an animal feed, the company can reduce carbon emissions at all three stages.
How the Global Goals are addressed
Zero Hunger
AgriProtein helps to sustainably feed livestock and fish farms that will be needed to feed a growingly affluent and protein-demanding human population, expected to hit nine billion by 2050.
Gender Equality
The company hiring policy is that 60% of the staff should be women, which surpasses the traditional 50/50 split objective and contributes to more parity.
Decent Work and Economic Growth
The AgriProtein factory provides over 90 full-time jobs primarily for residents from the low-income neighbourhood in Cape Town where the factory is located.
Climate Change
An estimated 10 tons of CO2 are generated per ton of fishmeal produced. In comparison, MagMeal only generates two tons of CO2 per tonne of their fishmeal replacement, according to the company.
Life Below Water
Where MagMeal is substituted for fishmeal, every ton used allows three tons of fish to remain in our oceans.
AgriProtein
AgriProtein is working to replace fishmeal in aquaculture and animal feeds with insect-based protein
Global Goals addressed