ENORM Biofactory and KUKA Hygienic Oil Robots
In an industrial warehouse in Denmark, 50 kilometers southwest of the city of Aarhus, an unusual but crucial spectacle for the future of food is unfolding: ENORM Biofactory, the largest commercial insect farm in Scandinavia. Why insects? Because these small creatures could be the key to addressing global food and environmental challenges.
The Potential of Insects as a Protein Source
The United Nations estimates that the world population will reach 9.7 billion people by 2050. As the average income increases in many developing countries, the demand for meat and, consequently, the need for protein also grows. This is where insects come into play.
ENORM Biofactory focuses on the black soldier fly, whose larvae are incredibly efficient at converting organic matter into protein. A single gram of black soldier fly eggs turns into 30,000 larvae, and these rapidly gain weight. 25 kilograms of eggs transform into 100 tons of larvae in just twelve days! No other animal can achieve this.
The Automation Behind Production
This is where robots come into the picture. ENORM Biofactory uses KUKA‘s Hygienic Oil robots for palletizing the insect boxes. These robots, with their precision and constant movement capability, ensure that the larvae are handled efficiently and safely. The soft buzzing sound of the robots working in the plant is a constant reminder of the silent revolution taking place.
Products Derived from the Larvae
ENORM produces two main products from the black soldier fly larvae:
1.
Insect flour: This flour is used as a highly digestible protein feed for fish, birds, pigs, and pets.
2.
Insect oil: This immune-boosting oil is also used as a nutritional supplement for various animals.
Environmental Benefits
Producing protein from insects has a significantly lower carbon footprint compared to other animal sources. Additionally, ENORM uses waste products from the Danish food industry to feed the larvae, contributing to a more sustainable circular economy.
In summary, robots and larvae are working together to offer an innovative and environmentally friendly solution for protein production. Perhaps soon we will see more farms like ENORM Biofactory around the world, and insects will become an essential part of our future diet.
What do you think of this combination of robotics and entomology? Can you imagine a future where insects are a common protein source?