Agroloop opens Central Europe’s largest insect protein plant to transform feed industry

HUNGARY – Agroloop Hungary Ltd. has achieved a significant milestone with the opening of Central Europe’s largest industrial-scale insect protein processing plant, marking an important step in sustainable animal feed production. 

Located on the outskirts of Budapest, the state-of-the-art facility represents a €30 (US$31.45) million investment and positions Hungary at the forefront of alternative protein production.

The 13,000-square-metre plant, opened on December 13, 2024, is a groundbreaking development for the region’s feed industry. 

At full capacity, the facility processes 120 tonnes of by-products daily from domestic food producers, feeding black soldier fly (BSF) larvae in a closed, automated system. 

The result is a monthly production of 250 tonnes of high-quality protein meal, 50 tonnes of feed fat, and 900 tonnes of organic fertiliser. 

Operations run 24/7, highlighting Agroloop’s commitment to meet the rising global demand for sustainable protein solutions.

What sets the plant apart is its innovative supply chain model, where the insect farming process is outsourced. 

Agroloop collaborates with FreezeM Ltd., an Israeli-German leader in BSF breeding technologies, which propagates and supplies larvae weekly from its breeding centre in Germany. 

This approach ensures a reliable and scalable source of larvae, boosting Agroloop’s production efficiency and capacity.

“We firmly believe that the insect industry must be part of the solution to ecological problems, as we can offer a sustainable, alternative source of protein for livestock and pets. By opening this plant, we are not only aiming to meet growing global demand but also to establish industrial-scale insect farming in Central and Eastern Europe and to become a world leader in the long term,” said Rajmond Percze, co-founder and CEO of Agroloop.

The insect protein plant addresses critical challenges in feed production, offering a natural, high-protein alternative to traditional soybean and fishmeal. 

The facility’s output has far-reaching implications for Hungary’s livestock and aquaculture sectors, particularly as demand for environmentally friendly feed solutions continues to grow.

Agroloop’s success has been underpinned by strong financial backing. The US$31.45 million investment was made possible through support from key venture capital firms, including Eprolius Hungary Plc., Gran Private Equity, and UniCredit Group, backed by the European Investment Fund (EIF). 

Strategic partnerships, including with UBM, a leading regional feed market player, are also driving the adoption of insect-based products in livestock feed formulations.

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