In this episode, you will hear from Oliver Schlüter, the spokesperson for the Healthy Foods program area at the ATB, the Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy.

We talked about the potential role of insect farming and insect biotechnology in connecting and leading the way in research and discussions about alternative proteins and new food systems.

Our conversation stemmed from INSECTSplus, the event hosted by the German Institute of Food Technologies this May, from May 12th to 14th, and co-created by the ATB, which will host the next edition.

Oliver highlighted that PLUS stands for plant-based, lab-based, unicellular, and sea-based biomass. Insects are the key to connecting these different organisms, contributing to circularity and sustainability in biomass production. He emphasized that while edible insects have made significant progress in research and acceptance over the past decade, there are still challenges. Initially, there was little knowledge of edible insects, and no legal framework existed for their use. Today, however, several insect species are approved for human consumption in Europe, and companies have developed expertise in insect processing.

"It’s essential to create a platform for exchanging knowledge and solutions across disciplines," Oliver explained. "Researchers from different fields can learn from each other’s experiences and overcome the hurdles they face together."

He went on to explain that ATB focuses on several program areas, including diversified crop production, individualized livestock farming, and healthy foods. He is the spokesperson for the Healthy Foods program area, where researchers investigate edible insects, as well as macroalgae, and plant-based foods. Additionally, they work on multifunctional biomaterials and integrated residual management, focusing on utilizing side streams from production processes to generate biogas or biochar, which can be used in agricultural fields. Oliver emphasized the importance of integrating these technologies into new bioresource processing systems to promote sustainability in the food and biomass industries.

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In this episode you will listen to the conversation I recorded with Sergiy Smetana, Head of the Food Data Group at the German Institute of Food Technologies.

We talked about organic waste, how to define it and how it is treated, and the role of insect farming in all of this.

All of these topics, and many many more, will be discussed at INSECTSplus, the event hosted by the same German Institute of Food Technologies, which will celebrate its kick-off from May 12th to 14th. 

Sergiy discussed the complexity of food waste, emphasizing that there is no clear legal or scientific definition for it. He explained that food waste is often classified as biomass or discarded materials, and once a product is thrown away, it legally becomes waste, even if it remains in its original, untouched packaging. However, if biomass is repurposed in a hygienic and environmentally safe manner, it is not considered waste. And this opens up opportunities for utilizing discarded materials sustainably, reducing waste and creating new production models.

He outlined common food waste treatment methods, starting with composting. While beneficial, composting generates emissions and often requires transportation, adding to environmental impacts. Another widely used method is anaerobic digestion, where food waste is mixed with other organic materials and processed in biogas plants to produce methane, which is then burned for energy. However, this method generates large amounts of digestate, which can lead to nitrogen overconcentration in agricultural soils, posing environmental challenges.

Transitioning to insect-based waste treatment, Sergiy explained that insects, particularly black soldier flies, can bioconvert organic matter into valuable byproducts.

Insects not only process waste but also improve soil properties through their frass, which acts as a soil enhancer rather than just a fertilizer.

Regarding the present and future of edible insect research at the German Institute of Food Technologies (DIL), Sergiy described how their work with insects was exploratory—assessing their potential and providing recommendations to companies. Over time, DIL established a small research facility for producing insect biomass, which was used in projects such as feeding poultry.

As interest in the insect industry grows, DIL aims to facilitate partnerships and cooperation to advance the sector. Sergiy concluded by mentioning an upcoming event, Insects Plus, which aims to further explore opportunities in insects and alternative proteins more generally.

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In this episode, you will hear from a very special guest: Volker Heinz, the director of the German Institute of Food Technologies.

We discussed circularity in the food system, CO2 and nitrogen cycles, new fields, trials and errors, and alternative proteins.

Dr. Heinz's journey into the world of insect-based protein began 15 years ago during a visit to the pet food industry. He recalled that during a discussion about protein sources, his interlocutor mentioned the inevitability of insect consumption in Europe.

"At first, I thought he was crazy," Dr. Heinz admitted. However, during his three-hour drive back to the institute, he began contemplating the role of circularity in food systems.

As an engineer, Dr. Heinz decided to establish an insect farm, driven by the belief that nothing was impossible. During this phase, he invited a leading FAO expert on insect farming, who shared insights and examples from his global research. But the expert was skeptical. "Young boy," he said, "what you are planning is like flying to the moon. Many have tried and failed." Despite this warning, Dr. Heinz remained determined. He saw an opportunity to revolutionize the industry by developing a continuous system.

At the DIL (Deutsches Institut für Lebensmitteltechnik), Dr. Heinz and his team experimented extensively, creating an environment optimized for insect reproduction, including controlled light, wind, temperature, and humidity. It took several setbacks and considerations of abandoning the project before they finally succeeded.

"I still expect problems to come because it is indeed like a flight to the moon—but they made it, and we hope to succeed as well."

Discussing sustainability, Dr. Heinz highlighted the significance of nitrogen and carbon cycles in global food production. "We rarely read about the nitrogen cycle, but it is of similar importance to the carbon cycle, particularly with 8 billion people on the planet." He explained that while nitrogen is essential for protein formation, only 20% of it is effectively recycled back into the atmosphere, with the remainder causing environmental harm.

"One way to make better use of activated nitrogen is through animals," he noted. Historically, livestock played a role in nitrogen storage, but insects offer a far more efficient alternative. "Since insects are so much more efficient than livestock, there are completely new potentials that are badly needed on the planet."

Looking ahead, Dr. Heinz spoke about the upcoming InsectPlus event hosted by DIL in May. "We will invite people to take part in the journey of how biomass can be used efficiently." He emphasized that the entire food system revolves around biomass conversion and that various methods—plants, animals, algae, and even precision fermentation—must be considered. "It’s all about focusing on the most efficient conversions, ensuring sufficient resources for feeding the world, and minimizing waste.

Because anything we don’t circulate, we call footprint.

My name is Umberto Diecinove, I am a documentary photographer and I am currently leading a project titled I N S C T S which explores the potential role of insects in addressing environmental and social challenges. I’m doing it traveling, photographing research centres, farms, communities and companies all over the world and engaging with world experts and people working in the field. I do believe insects could be the next game changer.

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Michael is back! In this episode you will listen to the conversation we recorded at the Insects to Feed the World conference in Singapore.

Michael Place, Chapul Farms CTO, free thinker and natural philosopher, always boosts my curiosity and commitment, and I bet this episode will do the same for you.

Chapul Farms is an innovative company specializing in insect agriculture. They design, build, and operate modular insect farms that convert organic waste into high-value food and agricultural products. Their mission is to advance sustainable and regenerative practices by integrating insects into agricultural and energy systems.

We talked about: rethinking the food system, food and protein waste, the promise of “Frass”, the biofertilizer derived from insect farming, and new frontiers.

Micheal explains that frass holds immense potential for soil health and sustainability. It’s especially promising as a bio-fertilizer that could help address soil degradation caused by overuse of synthetic fertilizers. He envisions a future where frass pricing becomes competitive with the potential of accelerating the industry’s growth. Although Chapul Farms is focused on insect protein production, Michael highlights the importance of optimizing both frass and larvae to create a more balanced, sustainable agricultural ecosystem.

We are facing enviromental and social challenges. I decided to explore how insects can address global issues through local solutions.

My name is Umberto Diecinove, I am a documentary photographer and I am currently leading a project titled I N S C T S which explores the potential role of insects in addressing environmental and social challenges. I’m doing it traveling, photographing research centres, farms, communities and companies all over the world and engaging with world experts, visionary entrepreneurs, activists and people working in the field. I do believe insects could be the next game changer.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode you will listen to the conversation I recorded with David Giron, CNRS research director and IRBI director.

The Institut de Recherche sur la Biologie de l'Insecte (IRBI) is a research institute located in Tours, France. Established in 1960 the institute has evolved into a multidisciplinary center integrating ecology, physiology, genetics, chemistry, physics, bioinformatics, and mathematics.

Understanding how insects react to environmental changes in particular is a major challenge in order to preserve the sustainable functioning of ecosystems and halt the loss of biodiversity, ensure sustainable food production strategies and minimise the health risks associated with disease-carrying and invasive insects. The Institute therefore focuses part of its activities on insects as a solution, for example through the production of insects as an innovative source of bioconversion of organic matter.

Insect farming is growing globally, with France and the Netherlands leading the way. While insect consumption has cultural significance in some regions, there’s a growing recognition of its potential as a future food source in Europe. However, public perception still links insect consumption with poverty.

David emphasizes the importance of collaboration between research and industry to anticipate and address challenges such as disease management, insect welfare, and regulation. The opportunity exists to optimize the industry from the start, learning from research to avoid future missteps.

With David, we discussed insect welfare, potential risks in insect farming, the biodiversity crisis, mismatches, and the current French insect farming landscape.

My name is Umberto Diecinove, I am a documentary photographer and I am currently leading a project titled I N S C T S which explores the potential role of insects in addressing environmental and social challenges. I’m doing it traveling, photographing research centres, farms, communities and companies all over the world and engaging with world experts, visionary entrepreneurs, activists and people working in the field. I do believe insects could be the next game changer.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode you will listen to the conversation I recorded with Nathan Preteseille, insects as food and feed expert, AFFIA Founder, project manager at at La Compagnie des Insectes, and Vouvray producer.

We talked about regulatory limitations in Europe, South East Asia and US, unlocking the insects potential in agriculture, frass, the insect-based biofertilzer - and French wine.

Nathan shared how his background in biochemistry and food engineering led him to the insect industry, particularly in Thailand, during a pivotal time of growth around 2014. He co-founded AFFIA in 2016 to unite actors in this space, emphasising the role of regulation in enabling or hindering industry development. Nathan detailed the evolution of insect-related regulations in Europe and Southeast Asia, noting Europe’s leadership in setting clear but stringent rules, contrasting with Southeast Asia’s approach and the U.S.’s more flexible, opportunity-driven regulatory landscape.

He discussed challenges like limited use of food waste for insect feed due to strict regulations and he highlighted the potential of insects in sustainable food and feed systems but stressed that regulation remains a critical barrier to scaling these opportunities globally.

My name is Umberto Diecinove, I am a documentary photographer and I am currently leading a project titled I N S C T S which explores the potential role of insects in addressing environmental and social challenges. I’m doing it traveling, photographing research centres, farms, communities and companies all over the world and engaging with world experts and people working in the field. I do believe insects could be the next game changer.

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In this episode you will listen to the conversation I recorded with David Eshed, from FreezeM. David is in charge of the business development of FreezeM, an Israeli company focused on the breeding stage of Black Soldier Fly. We talked about bad waste and good news, insect protein production, vertical integration and specialisation within the industry, and the present and the future of the sector.

We explored the significance of Black Soldier Fly in addressing global waste management and sustainable protein needs. While BSF larvae can effectively manage organic waste and provide an alternative protein source, their adoption remains limited due to challenges in breeding and transportation. David explained that breeding is essential for scaling BSF production. He highlighted FreezeM’s innovative PauseM technology, which allows for the shipment of paused BSF neonates at room temperature, facilitating access for farmers. The conversation also touched on the competitive landscape, where David acknowledged that the BSF industry currently cannot compete with traditional protein sources like fishmeal... "but we will get there.” Furthermore, he discussed the need to utilize waste that other industries cannot. We also talked about regulatory barriers around feeding practices for BSF in Europe, though David again expressed optimism about ongoing tests that could validate the safety of BSF processing urban post-consumer waste.

The industry is evolving from vertical integration to specialization, David forecasts that in the next decade, small to medium-sized operations will dominate the market, the mantra is: "bring the larvae to the waste, not the waste to the larvae".

My name is Umberto Diecinove, I am a documentary photographer and I am currently leading a project titled I N S C T S which explores the potential role of insects in addressing environmental and social challenges. I’m doing it traveling, photographing research centres, farms, communities and companies all over the world and engaging with world experts, visionary entrepreneurs, activists and people working in the field. I do believe insects could be the next game changer.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode you will listen to the conversation I recorded in Singapore with Dennis Oonincx and Teun Veldkamp from Wageningen University, Shaphan Chia, from the ICIPE, Kenya, Karol Barragán Fonseca, professor at the Universidad Nacional De Colombia and “Insects For Peace” founder, and Micheal Place and David Eshed, from two companies: Chapul Farms and FreezeM.

Dennis Oonincx discussed the current hype around frass. He highlighted that while frass is gaining attention, similar to how black soldier flies did initially, it's still uncertain if frass will become the primary product, with BSF larvae taking a secondary role. Dennis pointed out that while the protein value of insects is well established, the science around frass is still lacking. Despite this, frass shows promise with antimicrobial peptides and other value-added products. Currently, while people believe in the value of frass, serious work on optimization is still to be done.

Shaphan Chia - who has recently moved to Nairobi, Kenya at the ICIPE - observed that investors are showing increasing interest in insect production, which provides hope for those skeptical about its feasibility. He emphasized economic sustainability is essential for long-term business viability, investors' commitment to the sector is encouraging. He highlighted that profitability needs to follow for the industry to thrive in the long run and the fact that combining the sale of insects and frass can enhance profitability. In Kenya, the increasing involvement of farmers in insect production for various purposes reflects the survey results from 2020.

Shaphan added that at ICIPE, they are working on mass-producing grasshoppers by mimicking their wild conditions, given their status as a delicacy in countries like Uganda.

Karol Barragán Fonseca gave us good news: the *Insects for Peace* project is expanding, with a new facility being set up with the indigenous Arhuaco community to integrate black soldier flies into their agroecological practices.

Michael, with his appreciated ability to connect the dots, noted that while the protein crunch initially drove the insect farming industry, the recent surge in fertilizer prices highlights another issue. He pointed out that the agro-food system has underinvested in understanding soil as a living biological ecosystem. In his opinion, the real promise of frass lies in its potential to rebuild soil infrastructure and reduce dependence on hydrocarbon inputs.

David Eshed discussed FreezeM’s specialization in supplying Black Soldier neonate larvae to BSF farms. David emphasized that newer companies should focus on specialization for future success. He believes there is potential for collaboration between established and newer companies.

Teun Veldkamp introduced us to the brand new Academic Society for Insects as Food and Feed. 

My name is Umberto Diecinove, I am a documentary photographer and I am currently leading a project titled I N S C T S which explores the potential role of insects in addressing environmental and social challenges. I’m doing it traveling, photographing research centres, farms, communities and companies all over the world and engaging with world experts, visionary entrepreneurs, activists and people working in the field. I do believe insects could be the next game changer.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My name is Umberto Diecinove,  I am a documentary photographer and I am currently leading a project titled I N S C T S which explores the potential role of insects in addressing environmental and social challenges.

I’m doing it traveling, photographing research centers, farms, communities and companies all over the world and engaging with world experts, visionary entrepreneurs, activists and people working in the field.

In this episode you will listen to the conversation I recorded in Singapore with Marie-Hélène Deschamps, assistant professor at the animal science department at the Université Laval, Quebec, Canada. She was the moderator of the panel “Global Perspectives on Insect Research” at the “INSECTS TO FEED THE WORLD 2024. You will also hear directly from some of the leading researchers in the sector who participated in the panel. Some of them have already appeared on the Get The Bug Podcast (as Jeffery Tomberlin and Arnold Van Huis) as my goal from the start has been to spotlight the cutting-edge minds in the field of edible insects. 

We explored three major topics: global perspectives on insect research, innovation in insects as food and feed, and the role of collaboration between academia and industry. 

Arnold Van Huis, a pioneer in insect research, emphasized the urgent need for alternative proteins to address the environmental challenges posed by livestock farming. 80% of the world’s land used for livestock is already occupied, it’s essential to shift to more sustainable options.

Marie Helene and Louise Henault Ethier addressed the sustainability of insect protein, both agreeing that while more research is always necessary, there is already enough scientific evidence to support its potential. Beyond food and feed, insects are being increasingly recognized for their role in waste management, as well as their potential in producing valuable byproducts like biofertilizers and compounds for biotechnology.

Jeffery Tomberlin professor of entomology at the Texas A&M University and Black Soldier Flye renowed expert discussed the importance of diversifying the insect industry. He explained how the insect sector could create novel products with higher value, allowing insect protein to become more affordable. “It's not just about food and feed. It's about creating an environment that allows us to feed the world.”

The discussion was also about into the interaction between academia and industry.. While academics focus on fundamental research, industry must guide them toward practical solutions that optimize production systems and make the sector economically viable. Louise Henault Ethier pointed out that academic research can open doors to areas that industry might neglect, such as considering the broader societal and environmental implications. She suggested that the economic models of insect farming might shift, with a greater focus on social and environmental sustainability.

In the discussion about the French insect research landscape, David Giron highlighted how the Insect Biology Research Institute (IRBI) in Tours collaborates with various companies on a range of topics. This partnership involves strategic discussions to explore new research directions and anticipate future challenges for the industry.

Insect farming, with its potential for sustainable protein production, waste management, and biotech applications, represents a growing field that must balance profitability with global environmental and social challenges.

I do believe insects could be the next game changer, That's why I'm working on exhibitions, I’m collecting materials for a photobook, and I’m hosting this podcast. Thanks for listening: Get The Bug!

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In this "Get The Bug" episode you will listen to a prominent and renowned figure of the “insect space”: Andreas Vilcinskas. Director of the Institute for Insect Biotechnology and Insect Biomedicine he is also heading the branch “Bioresources” of the Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, both in Germany.

Andreas Vilcinskas is recognized internationally for his expertise and continues to influence the field through his pioneering research and academic leadership.

We talked about controlled environmental agriculture, yellow biotechnology, the Sustainable Development Goals, palm oil and insects farming, peptides and high added value insect based products. 

He will be also a keynote speaker at the "Insects to Feed the World 2024” in Singapore, the premier event of the insects-as-feed-and-food sector. 

Event I will also join as “invited artist” and where I will display some pictures from my project I N S C T S.

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