DUBAI: Dr. Haythem Riahi, Co-Founder and CEO of Circa Biotech Ltd., a leader in food waste management, said the company has made progress in its programme for upcycling food waste into high-protein animal feed using insects in order to help protect resources, reduce water usage and cut down on emissions.
He was speaking on the sidelines of his participation in the Food Innovation Conference 2024 in Dubai, organised by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI) in cooperation with the World Economic Forum (WEF).
Bringing together over 150 international experts and academics, alongside farmers and local, regional and global businesses, the conference aims to contribute innovative solutions to food challenges, share knowledge and build capacities, while driving cooperation between researchers, entrepreneurs and the private sector in support of food systems.
Dr. Riahi explained that the idea on which Circa Biotech operates is using the black soldier fly (BSF), which feeds on food waste, and turn
ing it into animal and fish feed, reducing the use of fish meal in aquaculture. The fly’s waste is also turned into organic fertilisers.
In 2022, UAE Ministry of Climate Change and the Environment signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Crica Biotech to launch the first regional project to upcycle organic waste into animal feed.
The resulting feed is high in protein, fats, minerals and vitamins, as well as overall nutritional value. Due to the short life cycle and high fertility rates of the black soldier fly, its larvae can be harvested every 9 days. This specific insect is an ideal choice for the project as it does not transmit diseases, does not cause any damage or infestations, and is a non-invasive species. The flies are reared in an industrial control system (ICS) environment with sensors that record real-time temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide levels under well-researched lighting. This model ensures optimal resource use and efficient water consumption and has limited climate change im
pact and low emissions.
Circa Biotech aims to tackle and improve organic waste management in urban cities, instead of dumping organic waste in landfills. The company is constructing an industrial facility with a processing capacity of 15 tonnes daily. It plans to scale up its operations to process 200 tonnes of food waste daily in three years, producing an annual 22,000 tonnes of animal feed to be utilised in aquaculture and livestock production.
Source: Emirates News Agency