Bildnachweis: Close up of Black soldier fly (BSF) larvae or maggot on a palJakaSuryanta – stock.adobe.com, Photo: © Omnivore Recycling.

Omnivore Recycling develops and operates decentralised recycling facilities for organic residues such as food waste. These container-based facilities recycle residues on site using insect larvae.

 

The circular economy aims to create systems where resources are reused, ultimately reducing the demand for new raw materials. One key resource is food waste, which is frequently composted, incinerated or sent to landfill, thereby squandering its true potential. This type of ‘waste’ can do so much more: it can be transformed into valuable animal feed, mitigating the negative impact of feed production on global ecosystems. For ­instance, rainforests in the Amazon would no longer need to be cleared to grow soy ­destined solely to feed livestock.

Food waste can be upcycled through insects: the larvae consume it and then in turn serve as high-quality, environmentally friendly animal feed. Insects present a compelling alternative to conventional feed sources, potentially facilitating a circular economy. So far, however, the competitiveness of insect proteins against traditional feeds like soy has been hindered by high production costs. This is what Aachen-based start-up Omnivore Recycling wants to change. The company designs and builds decentralised, container-based recycling facilities where industrial food residues can be fed to insect larvae. “Our facilities bridge a gap in the organic circular economy,” says CEO Dr Marius Wenning. “Unlike conventional disposal ­methods, which are always downcycling (composting, incineration, landfilling), larvae enable a true circular process by serving as feed themselves and re-entering the food chain. This process helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions since the organic material emits less methane when re-used compared to when it is sent to landfill. Food waste ­methane emissions account for 8% of total greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. By using larvae to recycle organic residues, these emissions are almost entirely eliminated.”

Omnivore-Team. Photo: © Omnivore Recycling
Omnivore-Team. Photo: © Omnivore Recycling

Innovative technology, lower costs

Omnivore Recycling’s container-based system is a technological innovation thanks to its ­inventive design and smart control software. Unlike typical large-scale insect protein production facilities that generally require substantial automation technology and associated high investment costs, Omnivore Recyling’s system enables fully automated conversion of food waste into insect proteins at a lower investment cost. The start-up is aiming for a return on investment within five years, claim­ing that the facility is already operating cost-effectively even with a daily food waste input of less than one tonne. This can be attributed in part to the easy installation and commis­sioning of the containers, doing away with lengthy planning periods and complex engineering. According to Omnivore Recycling, the system makes it possible to professionally fatten the larvae with high levels of efficiency at relatively small input quantities (500–1000 kg/day).

Omnivore Recycling provides the necessary technology (hardware and software), biotechnological expertise and a distribution network for larval fattening. Customers provide the location and a continuous supply of food waste and/or organic residues. In addition to larvae, the process yields larval excrement – a high-quality organic fertiliser that can ­replace environmentally harmful synthetic alternatives. This ensures that any nutrients remaining besides the insect protein are ­recovered and used.

From bootstrapping to global impact

Established in 2021 as a spin-off from RWTH Aachen University, Omnivore Recycling initially relied on bootstrapping. Then in mid-2022, a business angel joined the venture and the start-up secured funding from the German environmental foundation ‘Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt’ from 2022 to mid-2024. Production of the first prototype began in 2022 and continues to date. The pilot project, involving the delivery of the first facility at a new location in Kenya, is scheduled for spring 2024. Omnivore Recycling is already collaborating with a food company there that has significant volumes of food waste. The start-up is also working with non-European waste management companies, with plans for three facilities in three countries and more to follow. Omnivore Recycling is ­actively seeking global partners to operate its facilities. It is also looking for partners throughout the food value chain, the feed ­industry and other companies involved in environmental and agricultural technology that are willing to invest in the system.

SHORT PROFILE OF OMNIVORE RECYCLING
Legal form: Part of Hermetia Tech GmbH
Foundation: 08/2021
Industry: Agricultural production/recycling
Location: Aachen
Employees: Three permanent employees, a further seven student employees
Internet: www.omnivore-recycling.com

This article was published in the current Plattform Life Sciences issue „Circular Bioeconomy 4_23“, which you can view as an e-magazine via the following link:
https://www.goingpublic.de/wp-content/uploads/epaper/epaper-Life-Sciences-4-2023/#50

Autor/Autorin

Redaktionsleiter Plattform Life Sciences at GoingPublic Media AG | Website

Urs Moesenfechtel, M.A., ist seit 2021 Redaktionsleiter der GoingPublic Media AG - Plattform Life Sciences und für die Themenfelder Biotechnologie und Bioökonomie zuständig. Zuvor war er u.a. als Wissenschaftsredakteur für mehrere Forschungseinrichtungen tätig.