InnovaFeed

InnovaFeed is a French biotechnology company specializing in the production of insect-based ingredients for animal and plant nutrition. Founded in 2016, the company focuses on rearing black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) to create sustainable protein and oil products for aquaculture, pet food, livestock feed, and agriculture. InnovaFeed's production model, known as "industrial symbiosis," involves clustering facilities with suppliers of agricultural co-products and energy to maximize efficiency and reduce environmental impact. The company operates two production sites in France: one in Gouzeaucourt, inaugurated in October 2017, and another in Nesle, opened in November 2020. The Nesle facility, co-located with starch producer Tereos and biomass plant Kogeban, is claimed to be the world's largest insect production site, with a capacity of 15,000 metric tons of insect protein and 5,000 metric tons of insect oil annually.

In February 2024, InnovaFeed introduced its new brand, Hilucia, offering a range of insect-based ingredients for animal and plant nutrition. The Hilucia product line includes ingredients for pets, livestock, aquaculture, and agriculture. The company claims that a lifecycle analysis of the Hilucia range demonstrated that these ingredients generate at least 50% fewer carbon emissions compared to commonly used plant and animal proteins, oils, and fertilizers. InnovaFeed has developed specific products for the aquaculture market, including ProtiNova for salmonids and NovaGain for shrimp, which the company claims can boost performance and reduce mortality in aquaculture settings.

Key customers and partnerships

InnovaFeed has established strategic partnerships with major players in various industries. The company has a long-term partnership with Cargill for applications in aquaculture, focusing on developing and marketing insect meal for more sustainable seafood production. InnovaFeed also collaborates with ADM for applications in pet food, and with Hello Nature for applications in agriculture.

In the US, InnovaFeed is partnering with ADM to construct a new production facility in Decatur, Illinois. This plant aims to produce 60,000 metric tons of protein and 20,000 tons of oils for pet food and livestock feed annually, utilizing ADM's corn processing by-products as feedstock for the insects.

InnovaFeed's products have gained traction in the pet food industry, with companies like Arch Pet Food incorporating Hilucia ingredients into their formulations. The company has also secured over USD 1 billion in commercial contracts for its fly protein products across aquaculture, pet food, and poultry feed markets.