Company recycles organic matter in zero-waste process for animal feed and fertilizer
Entosystem, a company that is committed to the circular economy by developing innovative technological solutions for insect breeding to contribute to Québec’s food autonomy, has announced the construction of a new plant in Drummondville thanks to more than $60 million in public and private investments.
Entosystem recycles organic matter from Québec’s agrifood industry that would otherwise be discarded, transforming it into several environmentally friendly products through a zero-waste process.
The matter recovered from farm to grocery store is used to feed the black soldier fly larvae. The factory will receive 250 tons of food daily, which will be consumed by the insects in only six days. Once well fed, these larvae are dried and ground into a rich protein flour used to feed domestic and farm animals. This circular process also makes it possible to market an effective fertilizer approved for organic farming.
This innovative approach makes the circular economy an integral part of the company’s business model.
Tangible ecological and economic benefits
This new factory of more than 100,000 square feet will allow Entosystem to create 70 new jobs in the region, in addition to keeping the 30 jobs already active in Sherbrooke, and to have a fully automated industrial system for its entire insect breeding process. These technological improvements will allow the company to revalorize 90,000 tons of organic matter each year in order to produce 5,000 tons of high-quality protein larvae as well as 15,000 tons of approved fertilizer for organic farming.
According to an independent study, this innovative project will reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 85% per year compared with the current scenario, while increasing Canada’s self-sufficiency and food security.
A large proportion of the food produced in Canada is wasted or lost. On a larger scale, agriculture, dog and cat feeding, and the use of unsustainable fertilizers contribute to a large proportion of GHG emissions in North America.
