Protenga’s Smart Insect Farm: Transforming Palm Oil Waste into Sustainable Solutions

This title encapsulates the article’s essence, highlighting Protenga’s approach to utilising Black Soldier Fly technology to convert palm oil waste into valuable resources. It emphasises sustainability, efficiency, and the positive impact on the Malaysian palm oil industry.

The future looks hungry. By 2050, our planet is expected to house nearly 10 billion people, which, combined with climate change, creates a massive challenge for food production. Despite our strained resources, food waste remains a persistent problem. This highlights the urgent need for innovative solutions across the food supply chain- the palm oil industry is no exception. An insect species known as the Black Soldier Fly (BSF, Hermetia illucens) is nature’s marvel; it can revolutionise waste management and food security and may hold the solution for a more circular economy.

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Innovative Smart Insect Farm
Protenga, a biotechnology company based in Senai, Johor, has developed a modular insect technology to efficiently convert palm oil biomass into high-quality insect protein via its decentralised Smart Insect Farm (SIF) network. This hub-and-spoke model leverages data-driven insect farming to efficiently convert palm oil waste into high-quality insect protein.

The byproducts of the insect farming process, called insect frass, become a nutrient-rich, bioactive organic fertiliser. Frass, which is the insect’s excrement, castings, shedding, and exoskeletons, can be recycled back into the plantations, closing the loop, restoring soil health, and minimising environmental impact. Imagine healthier soil, thriving oil palm plantations, and building a sustainable future that continues to advance Malaysia’s palm oil industry.

With over eight years of experience, Protenga’s Smart Insect Farm is a perfect fit for the palm oil industry’s sustainability goals. By utilising what would otherwise be considered waste, Protenga tackles the industry’s waste management challenges head-on by converting waste to a protein-rich insect protein source, contributing to food security by providing valuable animal nutrition speciality ingredients.

Harnessing the Power of BSF

The BSF are nature’s incredible decomposers with a relentless appetite for organic waste. They efficiently transform palm oil byproducts such as POME sludge, decanter cakes, palm kernel expellers, boiler ash, and other byproducts into valuable resources.

Witness the Black Soldier Fly in flight.

Protenga’s solution goes beyond the technology supply, offering a long-term partnership model for the operations of Smart Insect Farm with palm oil mills and biomass owners. The Smart Insect Farms are co-located with the biomass source. Protenga ensures the supply of seedling larvae for stable operations, provides automation and process control software for efficient remote management, and offers maintenance services. These SIF convert palm oil byproducts into fresh BSF larvae.

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Protenga then buys back the larvae to process them into valuable products like Hermet Protein (insect protein), Hermet Oil (insect oil), and Hermet Frass (insect frass). Hermet Protein and Oil find their way into aquaculture, pet food, and animal feed, while Hermet Frass becomes a key ingredient in compound fertilisers.

InsectOS empowers operators to manage the Smart Insect Farm seamlessly.

Modular and turnkey, the Smart Insect Farm utilises Protenga’s proprietary InsectOS farm data management system. This system allows for remote farm control and provides real-time data on-site, from recipes and feedstock inventory to worker attendance. The palm oil mill owners require no in-depth BSF expertise, as Protenga supplies the BSF seedlings to the farms. The mills provide the waste, and the Smart Insect Farm takes care of the rest. It is simple, reliable, and profitable.

Protenga’s solution goes beyond adding and managing palm oil’s biomass value. It strengthens Malaysia’s feed and fertiliser security while promoting community engagement through local job creation.

The Smart Insect Farm offers a sustainable and profitable solution for the palm oil industry, paving the way for a brighter, more buzz-worthy future. For more information on the Smart Insect Farm and its value creation, visit www.smartinsectfarm.com or email insect-tech@protenga.com.