GGOO SUPRAAUTONÓMICO – INSECTFEED
The INSECTFEED project aims to develop a circular bioeconomy solution to transform olive pomace, a by-product of the olive oil industry, into sustainable ingredients for pig feed using Hermetia illucens larvae. The innovation combines the pre-treatment of olive pomace, optimised larval rearing and the production of functional meals with high protein value. The project will validate their use in starter feed for piglets, assessing digestibility, palatability, zootechnical performance and environmental impact compared with conventional ingredients such as soybean meal or fishmeal.
The Problem
The agri-food sector faces the challenge of producing protein in a more sustainable, efficient and local way. In animal nutrition, there is still a strong dependence on conventional ingredients such as soybean meal or fishmeal, whose production and import can generate a significant environmental impact.
At the same time, the olive oil industry generates large volumes of olive pomace, a by-product that is difficult to manage and is not always efficiently valorised. This situation represents an environmental challenge, but also an opportunity to promote new circular bioeconomy models.
In pig nutrition, piglets in the starter phase require high-quality, digestible and palatable ingredients. However, sustainable protein alternatives must demonstrate their nutritional value, acceptance by the animals and their real impact on zootechnical performance.
This need makes it essential to develop innovative solutions capable of transforming agro-industrial by-products into high-value ingredients for animal nutrition.
The Project
To address this challenge, INSECTFEED proposes a solution based on the valorisation of olive pomace using Hermetia illucens larvae, also known as black soldier fly larvae.
The initiative combines the pre-treatment of olive pomace, optimised larval rearing and the production of functional meals with high protein value. These meals will be validated as sustainable ingredients for starter feed intended for piglets.
The project will assess key aspects such as digestibility, palatability, zootechnical performance and the environmental impact of the new ingredients compared with conventional alternatives such as soybean meal or fishmeal.
INSECTFEED brings together a supra-autonomous and multidisciplinary consortium formed by FAECA, CIDAF, INSECT BIOTECH, SAT HERMANOS CHICOS and Evolution Europe, together with EEZ-CSIC and UCM as subcontracted entities. This collaboration brings together knowledge and experience in agri-food innovation, biotechnology, livestock production, technical validation and project management.
The Impact
INSECTFEED represents an important step towards a more circular, sustainable and competitive animal nutrition model.
On the one hand, the project will make it possible to transform olive pomace, a by-product of the olive oil industry, into an alternative protein source for pig nutrition. On the other hand, it will help reduce dependence on conventional raw materials with a greater environmental burden.
The use of Hermetia illucens larvae opens up new opportunities to valorise agro-industrial waste and generate high-value functional ingredients. This could have a positive impact both on the sustainability of the olive oil sector and on the competitiveness of pig production.
In addition, validation in starter feed will make it possible to analyse the real potential of these meals during a critical stage of piglet development, providing data on digestibility, acceptance and performance.
The project also strengthens collaboration between companies, research centres and organisations in the agri-food sector, promoting new value chains based on the circular bioeconomy.
The Result
Thanks to the support obtained through the AEI-Agri Operational Groups programme, the consortium will be able to move forward with the development of the INSECTFEED project, having secured €506,591.75 in funding.
This support will enable the validation of an innovative solution to transform olive pomace into sustainable ingredients for pig nutrition, combining biotechnology, circular economy and animal production.
Evolution Europe’s participation in the consortium has contributed expertise in the preparation, structuring and management of innovation projects, helping to develop a strong proposal aligned with the programme’s objectives and ensuring its proper justification.
In the long term, INSECTFEED will lay the foundations for new R&D lines linked to the valorisation of agro-industrial by-products, the production of insect meal and the development of more sustainable protein alternatives.
In addition, the project will help strengthen protein autonomy, reduce the environmental impact of animal nutrition and consolidate new innovation opportunities for the agri-food sector.
