Zero waste concept
A second chance for our raw materials
From waste to raw material
With its “zero waste concept”, SmartBreed ensures the consistent recovery and reuse of all nutrients in the food value chain in a closed cycle. By rethinking processes in the recycling of food waste and side streams, SmartBreed ensures the regenerative production of natural proteins, oil and fertiliser for a sustainable food supply in Switzerland. The products are mainly used in animal feed (poultry, pork and fish).
Opportunity for the food industry
Customer references
Advantages through nutrient recovery
Opportunity for the food industry – lower costs and CO2 reduction
Our rearing systems (fermenters) can be set up close to food-producing companies so that the food waste can be converted directly on site by insects into high-quality proteins, oil and fertiliser. This not only saves companies logistics and disposal costs, it also allows them to participate in and benefit from the valorisation of their own valuable residual materials.
Gleichzeitig können sie ihre Beziehungen zu ihren Lieferanten stärken, die den produzierten Dünger aus den Lebensmittelresten wieder auf ihren Feldern ausbringen können, wo genau diese Nährstoffe für die nächste Ernte dringend benötigt werden. That is 100% regional circular economy!
Interested food producers and purchasers of insect products (insect protein, oil and fertiliser) can co-invest in investment projects in order to benefit jointly from the added value of their nutrients.
There will be no change in processes for food manufacturers – their food waste will be collected completely and without residue at the same interface as before. Contact us today so that we can calculate the potential for you and the environment based on your residual flows:
Get in touch with us!
Examples based on producers
The SmartBreed fermenters can be used to convert non-perishable residues that cannot be transported effectively due to their high water content into transportable and storable dry raw materials using insects. We look forward to discussing your business case with you in person:
Potatoes & vegetables
Advantages of the circular economy
For producers of potatoes, vegetables, peelings & leftovers
- 78 t CO2 savings per 100 tonnes of food loss
- 27 tonnes of fertiliser per 100 tonnes of food loss
- CO2 savings that can be offset
- Attractive disposal costs
- Returning nutrients (fertiliser) to the producers
- Participation in nutrient recovery possible
Fruit & vegetable waste
Advantages of the circular economy
For producers of fruit, peel & leftovers
- 67 t CO2 savings per 100 tonnes of food loss
- 23 tonnes of fertiliser per 100 tonnes of food loss
- CO2 savings that can be offset
- Attractive disposal costs
- Returning nutrients (fertiliser) to the producers
- Participation in nutrient recovery possible
Finished products
Advantages of the circular economy
For producers of finished products & dishes
- 90 t CO2 savings per 100 tonnes of food loss
- 31 tonnes of fertiliser per 100 tonnes of food loss
- CO2 savings that can be offset
- Attractive disposal costs
- Returning nutrients (fertiliser) to the producers
- Participation in nutrient recovery possible
By-products
Advantages of the circular economy
For producers of wet by-products in food & beverage production
- 72 t CO2 savings per 100 tonnes of food loss
- 25 tonnes of fertiliser per 100 tonnes of food loss
- CO2 savings that can be offset
- Attractive disposal costs
- Returning nutrients (fertiliser) to the producers
- Participation in nutrient recovery possible
Advantages through nutrient recovery
Sustainable nutrition is a global challenge that is also important for Switzerland due to globally networked supply chains. Soya and fishmeal for chickens and fish, as well as fertilisers for our agriculture, are imported from far and wide. Deforested rainforests and poisoned soils are the price we pay. In the long term, sustainable nutrition can only be achieved if cycles are consistently closed.
SmartBreed utilises natural processes from nature: Insects.
Inspired by natural processes, residual materials in SmartBreed plants are efficiently broken down by insects into their components (protein, oil and fertiliser) and returned to the cycle, thereby recovering valuable nutrients in the food value chain and closing nutrient cycles completely.
Contributing to the circular economy and achieving global sustainability goals
Instead of using food by-products and waste in biogas plants to generate energy, SmartBreed offers a higher-value alternative: nutrient upgrading to insect products (proteins, oil and fertiliser) through upcycling. Diese Methode ermöglicht es, alle in den Abfallströmen enthaltenen Nährstoffe effektiv zu verwerten und so hochwertige Produkte herzustellen.
Reduction of emissions
Returning organic residues to the food production cycle (products for human consumption via protein feed and fertiliser) reduces greenhouse gas emissions along the entire value chain. This benefits producers, food manufacturers and consumers alike.
Food security
The worldwide shortage of sustainably produced proteins to feed the world’s population is one of the greatest challenges facing the global food chain today. In Switzerland in particular, soya and fishmeal for chickens and fish, as well as fertilisers for our agriculture, are imported from far and wide. Inspired by nature, where insects feed nutrients back into the cycle, SmartBreed aims to consistently recover and reuse all nutrients in the food value chain in a closed cycle. Domestically produced proteins are crucial for sustainable food security.
Promoting soil biodiversity
The search for natural fertilisers is becoming increasingly important in order to reduce dependence on synthetic fertilisers and make the nitrogen cycle more efficient. One promising alternative is insect fertiliser derived from food by-products.
The sustainable long-term fertiliser obtained from the organic streams can be effectively returned to the original cultivation areas. In this way, important minerals are supplied to the soil, which are essential for optimum crop yields. At the same time, the nutrient cycle is closed. This leads to sustainable cultivation of the soil and helps to maintain its fertility.
Avoiding the import of energy-intensive fertilisers also improves the CO2 balance.
