The Black Soldier Fly (BSF) industry has had an extraordinary year in 2024, marked by growth, innovation, and a shift toward more sustainable and efficient practices. Companies have refined their approaches, focusing on specialization and scalable solutions, while insect-based proteins have gained broader acceptance, particularly in pet food and aquaculture.
FreezeM has been at the forefront of these changes, scaling operations, forming transformative partnerships, and driving technological advancements reshaping the industry. Reflecting on the past year, we celebrate our achievements and look forward to the exciting opportunities ahead in 2025.
Production Capacities Are Increasing
According to GlobeNewswire, the BSF market is projected to reach $3.96 billion by 2033, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 31% from 2024 to 2033. In terms of volume, the market is expected to reach 8.23 million tons by 2033, with a CAGR of 40.4% during the same period.
This expansion is driven by rising global meat demand, a growing aquaculture industry, and increased interest from the animal feed sector seeking sustainable protein alternatives.
Functional Added-Value Products
Research into BSF has unveiled its potential beyond traditional applications. BSF larvae efficiently convert organic waste into high-protein biomass, offering sustainable solutions for animal feed and biofertilizers. Innovations include BSF-derived chitin and chitosan, which have applications in agriculture and pharmaceuticals. Some companies are exploring using BSF larvae as bioreactors to produce biotechnological products such as growth factors and enzymes.
FreezeM is also taking part in the exploration of these exciting directions and has generated a state-of-the-art genetic platform for BSF genetic modification.
Insect Protein Gains Acceptance in Pet Food and Aquaculture
Insect-based proteins have gained traction in the pet food industry, and they are recognized for their hypoallergenic properties and sustainability. The pet food sector is expected to become the second-largest consumer of insect protein by 2030, with a projected demand of 150,000 metric tons.
At the same time, in aquaculture, insect protein is increasingly viewed as a sustainable alternative to fishmeal, with successful trials demonstrating its efficacy in fish diets. Once production capacity and target price reach a critical inflection point, the adoption of insect meal in aquaculture will accelerate, creating exciting growth opportunities for the industry.
Strategic Corporate Realignments: Focused and Specialized Approaches
Companies within the BSF industry are adopting more pragmatic strategies, emphasizing specialization and focus. This shift involves pursuing less capital-intensive projects with medium-scale capacities, fostering sustainable growth. Increasingly, companies are concentrating on either rearing or processing while outsourcing the complex, resource-intensive breeding.
Hybrid models—where in-house breeding is supplemented with outsourced production—or fully outsourced agreements are becoming more prevalent.
The Pivotal Role of Waste Management
Effective waste management has become integral to the BSF industry. BSF larvae can convert organic waste into valuable protein, oil, and biofertilizers, positioning them as a sustainable solution for waste reduction. This capability is the base of the initiatives taking place between BSF producers and waste management companies, aiming to address environmental challenges while creating economic value.
FreezeM’s Development in 2024
Scaling Up Production and the Partnership with Hermetia
In 2024, FreezeM took a bold step forward in scaling up its operations through an innovative partnership with Hermetia. Together, we established the first pan-European BSF breeding hub strategically located in Germany. This facility not only serves as a center of excellence for BSF breeding but also exports globally, marking a milestone in the industry’s ability to supply high-quality neonates on an international scale. By centralizing production and distribution, this hub has set a benchmark for efficiency and global reach, catering to the rising demand for insect-based solutions. The breeding hub produces our core product, PauseM, at an industrial scale, and it already serves BSF-rearing partners throughout Europe in various models – from complete decoupled breeding to hybrid supply.
Commercializing and Proving Our Model at Scale
This year also saw the commercialization of FreezeM’s Breeding-as-a-Service model at an unprecedented scale. Partnering with Agroloop, which has established the world’s first fully outsourced BSF breeding facility. This collaboration introduced a groundbreaking innovation to the industry: the automated PauseM deployment machine.
This state-of-the-art technology is a game-changer, enabling industrial-scale BSF production by automating the insertion of up to 4,000 PauseM units—equivalent to 200 million neonate larvae—into production lines daily. This efficiency not only streamlines operations but also reduces labor costs, positioning FreezeM and Agroloop at the forefront of BSF industry innovation.
Transforming Waste Management: The Schachar Collaboration
In partnership with Schachar Group, FreezeM is redefining waste management using Black Soldier Fly technology. Schachar, known for its expertise in recycling industrial and commercial food waste, has joined forces with FreezeM to create a fully integrated solution. Schachar’s subsidiary, Binge Organics, formulates specialized BSF diets from food waste, while FreezeM enhances the production process through its Breeding-as-a-Service model. Together, we are converting wet food waste streams into valuable animal feed and biofertilizers, delivering both environmental benefits and economic growth. This collaboration highlights the crucial role of BSF technology in sustainable waste management.
Strengthening the Israeli BSF Ecosystem
2024 also marked the second period of the Israeli BSF consortium, funded by the Israeli Innovation Authority (IIA), which FreezeM is proud to be part of. With renewed focus and collaboration, the consortium has made promising strides in advancing BSF research and industry practices within Israel. These efforts set the stage for innovative developments in breeding and genetics techniques, novel protein and oil production methods, new applications in animal feed and agriculture, regulatory engagement, and most importantly, creating a novel AI-based model for the generation of optimized BSF rearing recipes based on variable and seasonal waste streams, further solidifying Israel’s role as a critical player in the global BSF landscape, and setting the technological infrastructure for facing future challenges.
R&D Spearhead
FreezeM is not left behind regarding biotechnological applications of BSF and has developed an advanced platform for the precise gene editing of the black soldier fly genome, setting the ground for developing new strains with enhanced features (like the previously reported BSF-Titan). We have also made breakthrough progress in the development of OSDel-BSF technology for directed delivery of genetic materials to the BSf female ovary, a project we are working on with the Isam Khalaila lab from Ben Gurion University. Throughout the year, we have also developed a molecular kit for high throughput male/female classification of BSF via PCR.
What’s next for 2025?
Scaling Operations in Europe and Israel
In 2025, FreezeM plans to enhance its production capacities across Europe and Israel, capitalizing on the growing demand for sustainable protein sources. By leveraging our established partnerships and innovative technologies, we aim to increase output and efficiency, solidify our position as a Black Soldier Fly (BSF) industry leader, and take another step towards implementing our decoupled production model, enabling industry growth.
Expanding into the United Kingdom Market
The United Kingdom presents a promising market for BSF products, driven by a solid commitment to sustainable agriculture and increasing acceptance of insect-based proteins. The UK government has shown support for alternative proteins, aligning with global trends toward sustainable food sources. FreezeM intends to enter the UK market by collaborating with local partners and adhering to regulatory standards to meet the rising demand for eco-friendly protein alternatives.
New product improvements
As we continue refining our products based on valuable client feedback, we look forward to achieving significant milestones in 2025. Our plans include extending PauseM’s shelf life, introducing a variety of packaging options tailored to diverse production settings, and offering innovative complementary tools designed to enhance the implementation and value creation across a range of BSF farming scenarios and scales.
Conclusion
As 2024 draws to a close, the Black Soldier Fly industry is at a pivotal juncture characterized by remarkable growth, innovation, and a shifting focus toward specialization and sustainability.
FreezeM is proud to have contributed to these advancements, scaling production, forging transformative partnerships, and introducing groundbreaking technologies.
Looking ahead to 2025, we remain committed to expanding our impact. We will scale up operations in Europe and Israel, enter promising markets like the UK, and navigate new regulatory landscapes that promise to unlock fresh opportunities. Together, we’re not just advancing our company but pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in sustainable agriculture and waste management. Stay with us as we continue to lead the way in creating a more sustainable, circular future.