From Left: ■
Dr. Gil Ronen, CEO and Founder of NRGene. Copyright NRGene. ■ Andreas Baumann, Head of
Market Segment Insect Technology at Bühler. Copyright Bühler. ■ Insight into an insect growth
chamber that will move to the North American Insect Center. Copyright Bühler.
Uzwil (Switzerland),
Ness Ziona (Israel), September 6, 2023 – Bühler, the Swiss technology
group, and NRGene Technologies Ltd. (TASE: NRGN), an Israeli genomics company,
announced a strategic collaboration today in the field of black soldier fly
(BSF) genetics and processing. The two companies are combining their expertise
to provide solutions and services to this rapidly evolving industry.
The partnership between Bühler and NRGene offers BSF
producers a comprehensive solution that incorporates Bühler's high-end
equipment and engineering capabilities and NRGene's novel genetics and AI-based
genomics tools. Production equipment and tailor-made high-performance BSF
strains are integrated into a customized solution that ensures cost-effective
industrial-scale production from the start.
“The insect industry is still optimizing its production
costs. Advances in insect genetics are key to achieving this. The benefit of
genetics is already demonstrated in traditional agriculture. Combining the
tailored insect strains with our advanced industrial technology will bring a
step change in the production of insects,” says Andreas Baumann, Head of Market
Segment Insect Technology at Bühler. “The overall solution will result in a
high yield of superior products while ensuring an efficient use of raw
materials, land, water, and energy. This makes the investment in insect
production more attractive as it gives owners a crucial competitive advantage
in the marketplace.”
"There is a growing demand for meat to feed carnivorous
pets and farm animals. It is our belief that to realize BSF's huge potential as
an alternative sustainable protein source used for feed, it is essential to
integrate the expertise of various disciplines into this new industry, from
genetics to engineering. We are excited to partner with Bühler as we move
towards a cost-efficient industry scaleup,” says Dr. Gil Ronen, NRGene’s CEO
and Founder.
Insects are a healthy and sustainable source of protein for animal feed. They can contribute to a circular economy model as insects can be fed on organic waste, such as food leftovers and waste from agriculture, to produce feed for pets, fish, and livestock. The residues from insect farming, or frass, can in turn be used as a fertilizer, contributing to the zero-waste approach.
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