Insect larvae pilot plant in Latvia turns agricultural leftovers into valuable products
CleanTechLatvia and Biomund have set up a pilot facility in Mārciena where black soldier fly larvae process agricultural residues. The aim is to show that biological waste treatment can become part of Latvia’s circular economy.
CleanTechLatvia, in cooperation with SIA Biomund, has completed an innovative project to build an experimental insect-breeding pilot facility. The plant is located in the former cattle farm “Muižnieki” in Mārciena parish, Madona region, and uses agricultural residues to rear black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae. The installation was supported by ELFLA funding.
Environmental engineer Kārlis Sams from Biomund says the key is to prove that plant-based waste can be converted into resources in an economically and technologically sound way. He notes that biogas plants are only one option for processing organic waste, and agricultural leftovers can be treated much faster with insects.
The flies reproduce quickly, so 10% of the population is kept to produce new larvae and sustain the cycle. Mature larvae can be fed live, dried, or turned into meal. Adding just one percent of insect meal to chicken feed can increase egg production and improve welfare; this practice is already used abroad. Insect meal is also added to fish feed, while the larvae’s waste could potentially serve as organic fertilizer.
The larvae are fed various grain-based leftovers, including brewer’s grains, damaged grain, apple pomace, cabbage leaves, and vegetables unsuitable for food. Because insects have no teeth, all feed must be ground into fine particles at the facility.
Sams explains that in ten days small larvae grow into large, protein-rich worms. The next step is drying and pressing oil. Insect meal needs to meet industry standards before it can be used as a component in compound feed. For example, Swedish fish-feed producers already do this, and the sharp rise in fishmeal prices makes insect meal an attractive alternative. At least one tonne of product is needed for testing, and the current experimental volume is still too small.
The company has acquired an incubator where flies live and breed; it was purchased with support from the business idea contest “Madona var labāk!”. The pilot facility has been running for a year, and the next phase is refining the processing technology. Sams estimates it will take about a year and a half to perfect the process. He admits that support for innovation exists in Latvia, but bureaucracy makes it difficult to access.
Another example of circular economy is the Cesvaine family company “Baltais lācis”, which makes biodegradable detergents. Founder Dagnija Lūse-Preisa says they started by producing their own laundry powder and now offer the products to others. The ingredients include soda, citric acid and salt, with no phosphates, chlorine or optical brighteners. The company works with France’s “La Droguerie” to offer compostable dish sponges and encourages customers to refill their own containers to reduce plastic packaging.
