AgriProtein
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Agriculture, Biotechnology |
| Founded | 2008 in South Africa |
| Defunct | February 2021 |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
| Products | MagMeal, MagOil, MagSoil |
| Parent | Insect Technology Group |
AgriProtein was a UK-based firm specializing in agriculture and biotechnology, utilizing insects to transform food waste into eco-friendly products: a protein substitute for livestock and aquaculture feed, a natural oil for animal nutrition, and an organic enhancer for soil. Established in 2008 in South Africa, AgriProtein operated as a branch of the Insect Technology Group until it entered administration in February 2021.
Products
The company cultivated black soldier fly larvae using food waste sourced from establishments such as supermarkets and restaurants. Following the pupation stage, these larvae were converted into MagMeal, a sustainable and premium protein designed for monogastric animals including poultry, swine, fish, and companion animals. In addition, AgriProtein developed MagOil, a naturally derived oil serving as an alternative to less sustainable oils like palm oil, intended for use in aquaculture and pet nutrition. The firm also supplied MagSoil, an organic product aimed at improving soil quality.
History
AgriProtein was launched in 2008 to address the rising costs and ecological concerns associated with fishmeal, driven by declining fish populations. Their innovative process redirected organic waste away from landfill disposal. After engaging with a researcher from Stellenbosch University, delivering a presentation at Tedx in 2011, and investing approximately five years in development, the company inaugurated its first commercial facility in 2015 located in Philippi, near Cape Town International Airport. Initial capital raised amounted to $11 million, which included two grants awarded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
In February 2017, AgriProtein formed a collaboration with , an Austrian engineering company, to create standardized factories for industrial-scale production worldwide. The following year, they secured $105 million in funding—ranking as the 18th largest deal within agricultural technology and the biggest investment in insect farming at that time—and announced plans to acquire Millibeter, a Belgian insect protein manufacturer based in Turnhout.
Among its accolades, AgriProtein received the 2013 United Nations Innovation Prize for Africa, triumphed in the Australian Government's Blue Economy Challenge, was recognized as a Global Cleantech 100 company in both 2017 and 2018, and became the inaugural Food Chain Global Champion at the BBC Food & Farming Awards. In 2018, it appeared on Time magazine's first-ever list of "top 50 Genius Companies."
The enterprise maintained licensing agreements internationally and operated research facilities dedicated to fly genetics, insect breeding techniques, and the development of larval protein-derived antibiotics for animal feed.