In what is seen as a boon for the Malaysian economy, its insect producers became eligible to export insect-based material to the EU in June 2022. Malaysia was added to the list of countries approved to export insects and insect-based products to the EU. That list also includes Canada, Switzerland, UK, and South Korea.
Malaysia’s ministry of agriculture gave Nutrition Technologies the green light in February this year to export its insect meal and oil to the EU and UK, making it the first company in Malaysia with this level of approval. The insect meal is fully compliant with EU regulations, and the facility is both GMP and HACCP certified.
Founded in 2015 by two British entrepreneurs, Nick Piggott and Tom Berry, Nutrition Technologies is headquartered in Singapore with operations in Malaysia. The company manufactures animal feed ingredients and biofertilizers, using a combination of biotechnology and black soldier fly (BSF) derived larvae to recycle nutrients from agricultural by-products such as palm and grain by-products. In 2021 the company scaled-up to industrial production with the launch of its two-hectare factory in Johor, Malaysia.
Its insect-based products are suitable for application in pet food, livestock, and aqua feed. The company has also been conducting multiple trials of its products in fish, shrimp, poultry, piglets, and pets.
Low-energy model
As a tropical species, BSF larvae grow quickly and efficiently in the ambient Malaysian climate, meaning that little energy is required to grow or breed the flies, said the developers.
“This low-energy model means that the company benefits from a very low cost of production, but with the same high standards as any European or North American manufacturer and is able to pass-on those savings to the customer.”
Last autumn saw the insect ingredient producer close a US$20m equity round; it was led by PTT Ventures and supported by Sumitomo Corporation, ING Sustainable Investments, Mandala Capital, as well as continued participation from existing investors: Openspace Ventures, SEEDs Capital and Hera Capital.