Successful Cooperation of Enorm Biofactory A/S and Aller Aqua Research
As aquaculture feed producer, we have kept an eye on insect meals and other alternative protein sources over the last decades, following the developments in the sector closely.
In December 2023, the opening of the largest insect factory in Northern Europe marked a milestone in the production of alternative feed ingredients. With a surface area of 22.000m² and a capacity of 100t living larvae of the black soldier fly every day, ENORM Biofactory A/S seeks to substantially upscale the production of insect meals.At ALLER AQUA RESEARCH, we took the opportunity to contribute to the process by testing their new products in terms of palatability, digestibility, and nutritional qualities.
After successful preliminary testing, we took it a step further by conducting a pilot-scale trial substituting 20% of the dietary fishmeal with black soldier fly larvae meal.
The findings of this study, carried out with large rainbow trout under brackish water conditions, look promising. Neither have we found significant differences in terms of growth-performance, feed intake or feed conversion, nor any quality or health related issues.
Lowering the gap between supply and demand of protein is crucial for aquacultural growth and the positive trial results indicate that insect meals will finally take their place in the warehouses of feed manufacturers.
