Project description
Bugs help debug food insecurity issues
An increase in population growth will affect both the supply and demand for human food. A major concern is protein supply and finding suitable substitutes for animal protein. Studies have shown that edible insects can provide the human population with high-quality protein, amino acids and vitamins. Though insects and insect-derived products have entered the European market since first being acknowledged as a valuable protein source for animal feed and human food production the last decade, their commercialisation remains low. The EU-funded SUSINCHAIN project aims to increase the economic viability of the insect market by overcoming existing obstacles to scaling up the insect value chain in the EU. It will test and validate recently emerged technologies and processes aiming at a sustainable EU insect industry producing safe insect products or products from insect-fed animals which are appreciated by consumers.
Objective
The expected global population growth to 9.1 billion people in 2050 and the significant change of global dietary patterns require increasing world-wide food production by about 60%. The protein supply for feed and food is most critical, and requires a transition in protein sources. Edible insects can upgrade low-grade side streams of food production into high-quality protein, amino acids and vitamins in a very efficient way. Insects are thus considered to be the “missing link” in the food system of a circular and sustainable economy. Insects and insect-derived products have entered the European market since first being acknowledged as a valuable protein source for feed and food production at around 2010. However, scaling up the insect value chain in Europe is progressing at a relative slow pace. The aim of this project is to contribute to novel protein provision for feed and food in Europe by overcoming the remaining barriers for increasing the economic viability of the insect value chain and opening markets by combining forces in a comprehensive multi-actor consortium. The overall project objective is to test, pilot and demonstrate recently developed technologies, products and processes, to realise a shift up to Technology Readiness Level 6 or higher. The project focuses on these crucial activities, as well as living labs and workshops with stakeholders in the insect protein supply chain for feed and food. These actions provide the necessary knowledge and data for actors in the insect value chain to decrease the cost price of insect products, process insects more efficiently and market insect protein applications in animal feed and regular human diets that are safe and sustainable. This will pave the way for further upscaling and commercialisation of the European insect sector, resulting in a replacement of animal protein by insect protein of 10% in animal feed and of 20% in human diets, and a thousand fold increase in both production volumes and jobs in 2025.
Fields of science
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteins
- medical and health scienceshealth sciencesnutrition
- natural sciencesbiological scienceszoologyentomology
- social scienceseconomics and businesseconomicssustainable economy
- agricultural sciencesanimal and dairy sciencedomestic animalsanimal husbandryanimal feed
Keywords
Programme(s)
- H2020-EU.3.2. - SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Food security, sustainable agriculture and forestry, marine, maritime and inland water research, and the bioeconomy Main Programme
- H2020-EU.3.2.1.1. - Increasing production efficiency and coping with climate change, while ensuring sustainability and resilience
- H2020-EU.3.2.2.3. - A sustainable and competitive agri-food industry
- H2020-EU.3.2.2.2. - Healthy and safe foods and diets for all
Funding Scheme
IA - Innovation actionCoordinator
6708 PB Wageningen
Netherlands
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Participants (35)
8800 RUMBEKE-BEITEM
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3000 Leuven
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10124 Torino
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1165 Kobenhavn
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49610 Quakenbruck
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4150 356 Porto
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
10783 Berlin
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Participation ended
GU2 4RG Guilford Surrey
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03540 Alicante
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
1649 023 Lisboa
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4303 Kaiseraugst
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2250 Olen
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
7241 CW Lochem
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15837 Baruth
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
62023 ROBAKOWO
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
5817 Bergen
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08225 Terrassa
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4400 345 Vila Nova De Gaia
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
4099-002 Porto
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10623 Berlin
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1090 Wien
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60121 Ancona
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6708 PB Wageningen
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8092 Zuerich
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3020 Herent
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
19013 Attikia Anavissos
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75007 Paris
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2800 Kongens Lyngby
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4335 Dirdal
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
9031 Drongen
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5223 GV S Hertogenbosch
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
9240 Uzwil
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2651 BE Berkel En Rodenrijs
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3852 AB Ermelo
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