{"id":146064,"date":"2025-05-22T15:41:53","date_gmt":"2025-05-22T13:41:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.startupbusiness.it\/proteins-from-insects-what-you-need-to-know\/146064\/"},"modified":"2025-05-22T15:51:16","modified_gmt":"2025-05-22T13:51:16","slug":"proteins-from-insects-what-you-need-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.startupbusiness.it\/en\/proteins-from-insects-what-you-need-to-know\/146064\/","title":{"rendered":"Proteins from insects, what you need to know"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In recent years, much has been said about insects as a possible solution to the challenges of the future, from alternative proteins to environmental sustainability. Yet, beyond the media hype, there is a real market that is growing exponentially in Europe and could increase its volumes tenfold in the next five years. To better understand this evolution, we asked Stefano Guerrieri, founder of the Italian start-up Kinsect, which ranks among the main players in this ‘second generation’ of companies, more focused on productivity, operating costs and industrial scale-up.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n

Exponential growth: in the next 5 years, +10x in Europe<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

‘The insect protein market is experiencing an acceleration and, at the same time, a rationalisation of the companies and technologies involved,’ Guerrieri explains. Whereas in the past the sector was mainly driven by curiosity and media hype, today we are witnessing a real industrial evolution. Projections show that European production of insect protein meal will rise from the current 100,000 tonnes per year to over 1.2 million tonnes by 2028, resulting in the need to build at least 200 new industrial plants. <\/p>\n\n

Why insects?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

The main target market is feed: from hypoallergenic pet food to aquaculture (trout, salmon, sea bass) to animal husbandry (laying chickens). Compared to traditional meal, insect meal offers advantages such as better digestion, reduction of disease and the possibility to partially replace declining protein sources such as overexploited fish stocks. <\/p>\n\n

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Complex technology: from biology to automation<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

But how do you go from an idea to an industrial plant capable of breeding insects on a large scale? Guerrieri points out that the real challenge lies in the integration of three disciplines: <\/p>\n\n

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  1. entomology,<\/strong> to fully understand the life cycles, biology and nutritional needs of insects;<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. industrial automation,<\/strong> which is essential to manage processes where temperature, humidity and feed must be precisely controlled;<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. software development, <\/strong>to analyse and optimise data, managing the continuous monitoring of colonies.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n

    Complicating matters is the biological element: growth tests cannot be artificially accelerated, so any change of parameter or configuration can only be validated by waiting for the insect’s natural timing. As Guerrieri points out, this barrier to entry means that those who successfully overcome it gain a strong competitive advantage. <\/p>\n\n

    Current regulations and limits: bioconversion held back by law<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

    Another crucial issue is the regulatory one. EU rules (Novel Food Regulation, Regulation 2017\/893 and others) have opened the door to the use of insect products in various sectors, but there are still significant barriers. Today, in fact, insects are considered farm animals: <\/p>\n\n