Bühler to revolutionize Hungarian insect farming with Agroloop partnership

HUNGARY- Hungarian insect producer Agroloop has commissioned the Swiss technology giant Bühler to implement its state-of-the-art insect-rearing technology to construct an industrial black soldier fly plant.

The facility, set to be built in Üllő, Hungary, aims to produce an impressive 4000 tonnes of animal feed ingredients annually, contributing to a more sustainable animal feed value chain.

Agroloop, founded in 2017, received approval for the industrial insect plant in 2022 after the successful operation of a pilot facility. The partnership with Bühler represents a major milestone in Agroloop’s ambitious plans for the agribusiness sector in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE).

The Üllő plant, located in the Aerozone Park adjacent to Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport, will utilize Bühler’s established crate-based nursery and rearing technology to expedite the plant’s commercial production.

By the end of 2024, Agroloop aims to launch its first products, leveraging Bühler’s expertise to produce over 25,000 tonnes of black soldier fly larvae. These larvae will be transformed into sustainable feed ingredients for the pet food, aquaculture, and livestock industries.

“The abundance of food processing by-products presents a unique opportunity for Agroloop’s multi-plant rollout strategy in the CEE region,” explains István Nagy, co-founder and CEO of Agroloop. “Our strategic partnership with the leading regional feed producer UBM Group strengthens our position, allowing us to focus on rapid expansion.”

The collaboration with Bühler is integral to Agroloop’s strategy, emphasizing the importance of a short ramp-up time for the insect facility.

Andreas Baumann, the Head of Market Segment Insect Technology at Bühler, expresses pride in being part of this pioneering project. He stated, “Our solutions will contribute to creating more sustainable feed supply chains.”

As the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) region increasingly adopts sustainable practices, the integration of insects into the feed supply chain becomes a crucial strategy. 

Insects can be reared using agricultural and food processing by-products, thereby converting these materials into high-quality protein. 

This approach reduces the environmental impact of the value chain and contributes to a circular economy, where resources are reused and recycled.

Andreas Baumann emphasizes the importance of insect protein in establishing a more sustainable and resilient food system. 

“Insect protein is a key component for a sustainable future, providing nutritious and sustainable protein sources while empowering local economies to become self-sufficient,” he stated.

The partnership between Agroloop and Bühler represents a significant move towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly approach to livestock feed production in the Central and Eastern European region.

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