Projects with DARPA grant – Grups Operatius 2023

Participants: GRANJAS ECOLÓGICAS (Leader), SAT NUTRICIÓ ECOLÒGICA (beneficiary, VICREU SA (contracted), ITISA (contractat), INNOVACC (coordinator), EURECAT (OPI).

Project summary

The growing global demand for food and feed, especially in the livestock sector, highlights the need for sustainable alternatives for protein production. Currently, the European Union relies on imported proteins such as soybeans and fishmeal, with the costs and availability of these raw materials becoming increasingly uncertain. Within this context, the industrial breeding of insects, such as Tenebrio molitor, is becoming a major challenge. Tenebrio molitor (mealworm), emerges as an efficient and economic solution, since insects require few resources for their production and have a low environmental impact. In addition, they are a rich source of protein, a natural alternative for the diet of birds and fish, and can take advantage of by-products from agriculture and the food industry.

The PROTINECO project aims to develop an innovative system for the sustainable production of organic insects, especially Tenebrio molitor, in a context of population growth and pressure on natural resources. The initiative aims to improve the efficiency of insect production through an automated system inside maritime containers, optimising space and maximising production. This modular system makes it possible to control the environmental conditions necessary for insect breeding and to sustainably manage organic waste. In addition, PROTINECO promotes environmentally friendly urban agriculture and aims to contribute to the competitiveness of companies in the meat sector through the transfer of knowledge and the establishment of collaborations between companies and research centres.

The main objective of the PROTINECO project is to obtain alternative insect protein Tenebrio molitor for animal feed in a sustainable and economically viable way. To achieve this objective, a series of tasks are planned, such as the study of the production of Tenebrio molitor in maritime containers, the selection of organic feed substrates from agro-forestry by-products, the characterization and processing of alternative insect protein, as well as its application in the formulation of poultry feed. In addition, the technical, economic and regulatory viability of this type of production will be assessed.

Action of the CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 co-financed by: