Black soldier fly
This insect is popular due to its ability to convert low-value biomass (e.g. waste) into high-value components such as ...
PROJECT
SUPERINSECT
Valorisation of super market waste by insects
Applied research
The SuperInsect project investigates whether food surpluses from grocery stores can be valorised into feed for insects. In this way, food surpluses will no longer leave the store as waste, but as feed for yellow mealworms and black soldier fly larvae. These insect species are specialists in converting low-value biomass into high-value components, such as proteins and fats, which in turn can be used in feeds for fish, birds, reptiles and even pigs and chickens.
In the SuperInsect project, primary focus is laid on investigating the practicality of waste valorisation by insects to achieve a circular economy.
A circular approach
During the project, surplus food will be collected four times from at least three different grocery stores. These food surpluses will be collected in bioboxes from waste company Renewi. With substrates constructed from the first two collections, feeding experiments with insects will be set up by the Center of Expertise Sustainable Biomass and Chemistry. The potential substrates will also be analysed in our lab. Substrates constructed from the last two collections will be used by commercial breeders as feed for mealworms and black soldier fly larvae. The insects produced and processed will be offered at super markets as feed for hobby animals. Consequently, the cycle is complete!
SuperInsect is a collaboration between Thomas More University of Applied Sciences, Renewi, Buurtsuper.be, NuSect & Black Soldier Fly.
With the support from
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