PROTINECO. Design and production of ecological insect protein (Tenebrio molitor) for animal feed

Participants: GRANJAS ECOLÓGICAS (Leader), SAT NUTRICIÓN ECOLÓGICA (beneficiary), VICREU SA (contracted), ITISA (contracted), INNOVACC (coordinator), EURECAT (OPI)

Budget: 284.653,27 €
Grant: 230.945,11 €

Project summary:

The growing global demand for food and animal feed, especially in the livestock sector, makes evident the need for sustainable alternatives for protein production. Currently, the European Union depends on the importation of proteins such as soy and fishmeal, with the costs and availability of these raw materials becoming increasingly uncertain. Within this context, industrial insect farming, such as Tenebrio molitor (mealworm), emerges as an efficient and cost-effective solution, as insects require few resources for production and have a low environmental impact. Moreover, they are a rich source of protein, a natural alternative for poultry and fish diets, and can make use of by-products from agriculture and the food industry.

The PROTINECO project aims to develop an innovative system for the sustainable production of ecological insects, particularly Tenebrio molitor, in a context of population growth and pressure on natural resources. The initiative seeks to improve the efficiency of insect production through an automated system within shipping containers, optimizing space and maximizing output. This modular system allows control of the environmental conditions necessary for insect farming and the sustainable management of organic waste. Additionally, PROTINECO promotes environmentally friendly urban agriculture and aims to contribute to the competitiveness of companies in the meat sector through knowledge transfer and the establishment of collaborations between businesses and research centers.

The main objective of the PROTINECO project is to obtain sustainable and economically viable ecological insect protein from Tenebrio molitor for animal feed. To achieve this goal, a series of tasks are planned, including studying the production of ecological Tenebrio molitor in shipping containers, selecting ecological feed substrates from agro-forestry by-products, characterizing and processing the alternative insect protein, and applying it to formulate poultry feed. Additionally, the technical, economic, and regulatory feasibility of this type of production will be evaluated.

Action of the CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 co-financed by: