Bühler and NRGene celebrate launch of North American Insect Center

CANADA—Bühler, the Swiss technology group, and NRGene Canada, a subsidiary of NRGene Technologies Ltd. (TASE: NRGN), an Israeli genomics company, have celebrated the successful launch of the North American Insect Center (NAIC).

The inauguration event, held on July 31 at NRGene Canada’s facility in Saskatoon, marks a significant leap forward in the production and optimization of insect protein in North America.

The NAIC is designed as a research and demonstration center, allowing customers to evaluate the performance of Black Soldier Fly (BSF) varieties tailored to their specific by-product streams. This innovative approach empowers businesses to make informed decisions, ensuring optimal efficiency and sustainability in protein production.

The launch event featured a tour of the cutting-edge lab, showcasing the advanced capabilities of the NAIC.

Dr. Gil Ronen, CEO and Co-Founder of NRGene, Andreas Baumann, Head of Market Segment Insect Technology at Bühler, and Jeremy Harrison, Minister of Trade and Export Development, were among the attendees.

“Saskatchewan is continuing to attract innovative companies who are choosing to invest and grow their business in our province,” Harrison noted.

 “Our reputation as global leaders in agricultural and biotechnology is attracting record capital investment into the province. We’re very proud to see the North American Insect Center join a growing list of cutting-edge institutions here in the province,” he added.

This facility is poised to create new skilled jobs and further position Saskatchewan as a center for alternative protein production research and a leader in global food security.”

Equipped with Bühler’s advanced Trial Rearing Unit (TRU), the NAIC simulates industrial conditions to optimize the growth of BSF larvae.

NRGene’s expertise in genomics and phenotyping enables the development of high-performing BSF strains, driving significant advancements in the field.

Initial trials have already shown remarkable results, highlighting the synergy between cutting-edge technology and genetic innovation. The center can also customize solutions for different kinds of waste, further enhancing its versatility and sustainability impact.

The NAIC is set to become a hub for industry players, offering customer trials, workshops, training sessions, and seminars to disseminate best practices in insect protein production.

This initiative addresses the urgent need for sustainable protein sources and fosters a circular economy by utilizing organic waste effectively.

 “The NAIC is a testament to the power of combining genetic innovation with technological advancement,” said Dr. Gil Ronen, CEO and Co-Founder of NRGene.

Andreas Baumann, Head of Market Segment Insect Technology at Bühler, emphasized the collaborative spirit of the NAIC, stating, “Combining NRGene’s genomic data tools and our advanced technologies will allow companies to leverage the deep industry and process knowledge of both companies to produce BSF larvae more efficiently and at lower costs.”

He reiterated that, the hub would enable insect producers to bring bigger product volumes at consistent quality to the market, fostering a broader adoption of this sustainable protein source in the animal feed sector.

On his part, Johannes Wick, CEO of Bühler’s Grains & Food business stated that the development of insect proteins as a sustainable protein source presents significant business opportunities.

“This new facility will open the market up for startups and established businesses alike, bringing together the science, tools, technologies, and knowledge needed to optimize the process further to produce protein-rich insect larvae.”

“Our collaboration with NRGene and their leadership in genetics and AI-based genomic tools allow us to tick both those boxes,” added Ian Roberts, Bühler’s CTO.

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