Project partner

Hermetia Baruth GmbH is a spin-off of Katz Biotech AG, which has been breeding and marketing beneficial insects for biological plant pest control since 1992. In 2006, Hermetia Baruth GmbH was the first company to establish an important and stable breeding facility for the fly Hermetia illucens (black soldier fly) in Europe. Hermetia Baruth GmbH controls the holometabolic life cycle of the fly and developed a bioreactor for the mass production of larvae, which is marketed worldwide. The production of larvae biomass to the high-quality protein flour and oil was also developed by the company. The proof of concept is visible in Baruth.

Hermetia Baruth GmbH has successfully built a pilot plant for insect breeding and has been operating the plant since March 2016, creating the conditions for the production, testing and marketing of insect products. In the field of beneficial insects for biological pest control, Katz Biotech AG (KBAG) sells insects throughout Europe with references from companies such as Bayer Crop Science and BASF. The company Hermetia Baruth GmbH (HGB) produces 50 tons of insect flour with approx. 60% protein content per year on a pilot scale at the Baruth site. The insect bred to produce the insect meal is the Black Soldier Fly (BSF = Hermetia illucens). The degreased insect meal is mainly used in the feeding of farm animals and pets. The planned production capacity for 2020 will have an annual production of 1,000 tons of protein, 900 tons of fat and 2,000 tons of fertilizer.