In this episode of the Black Soldier Fly Leaders podcast, host David Tavernor speaks with Dean Smorenburg, CEO of Maltento, about his journey into the world of Black Soldier Flies (BSF) and the challenges and opportunities in the insect farming industry. Dean shares his unique story of how he transitioned from a traditional finance background to insect farming, driven by a passion for reducing food waste. The conversation delves into the business model of Maltento, the use of brewery waste as feedstock, and the transition to pet food and palatants. Dean discusses the importance of collaboration in the industry and the future of insect protein, emphasizing the need for a localized approach to farming and the potential for growth in the market.
Takeaways
• Dean's journey into BSF began with a passion for reducing food waste.
• Maltento started by selling whole dried lava to the American market.
• The business model focuses on maximizing revenue per wet weight lava.
• Utilizing brewery waste helps control feedstock costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
• Transitioning to pet food has opened new revenue streams for Maltento.
• Palatants are a key product that enhances pet food appeal.
• The insect protein market is still developing and requires consumer education.
• Collaboration among companies can help grow the insect industry.
• The future of insect protein lies in its functional benefits, not just as a protein source.
• Local market conditions significantly influence the success of insect farming.
Chapters
00:00 The Journey into Black Soldier Flies
03:03 Business Model and Waste Management
05:53 Innovations in Feedstock and Diet
08:48 Expanding into Pet Food and Aquaculture
11:48 Challenges in the Insect Protein Market
14:50 Functional Benefits of Insect Protein
17:47 Market Trends and Consumer Perception
25:15 The Role of Immunity in Health
26:05 Navigating the Funding Landscape
29:47 Balancing Supply and Demand
31:41 Sales Strategies in the Pet Food Market
33:52 Challenges in Shipping and Competition
38:28 Future Plans and Market Expansion
44:50 The Future of the Insect Industry
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsw3EJMmyfAWULh5_ISXRkg
In this episode of the Black Soldier Fly Leaders podcast, host David Tavernor interviews Clayton Payne, who shares his extensive journey in the pet industry and his insights into the black soldier fly market. Clayton discusses the challenges and opportunities within the pet food sector, particularly regarding the integration of insect protein. He highlights the saturation of the market, consumer perceptions, and the pricing dynamics that affect the viability of black soldier fly as a primary ingredient. The conversation also explores alternative markets such as wild bird food and the future of Clayton's business, B.O. Buyer, focusing on sustainable practices and innovative product offerings.
Takeaways
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Clayton Payne
00:38 Clayton's Professional Journey
04:32 The Intersection of Pet Industry and Black Soldier Fly
06:38 Market Saturation and Challenges
12:32 Price Competitiveness of Black Soldier Fly
16:26 Marketing Strategies for Black Soldier Fly
21:13 Current Trends and Future Outlook
25:04 Niche Opportunities in the Market
26:49 Investor Sentiment and Market Challenges
29:25 Black Soldier Fly Production Insights
35:59 Navigating the Wild Bird Feed Market
44:57 Future Prospects for B.O. Buyer
YouTube:
In this episode of the Black Soldier Fly Leaders podcast, host David Tavernor interviews Andrew Wallace, co-founder of Chanzi, a pioneering company in the insect protein industry. Andrew shares his journey from various business roles in East Africa to discovering the potential of insect protein for animal feed. He discusses the unique model of Chanzi, which focuses on using waste for insect farming, the challenges of financing and scaling the business, and the importance of sustainability in waste management. The conversation also touches on the profitability of insect protein and the future of the industry, with Andrew offering valuable advice for aspiring leaders in the field.
Takeaways
Andrew Wallace's journey to insect protein began with his experience in various business roles in East Africa.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Chanzi and Andrew Wallace
06:54 Andrew's Journey to Insect Protein
13:52 The Partnership with Sune and Business Model
20:49 Scaling and Financing the Business
24:41 Waste Management and Sustainability Solutions
28:41 Integrating Waste Management Solutions
30:21 The Waste Problem in Africa
30:43 Anaerobic Digestion vs. Insect Protein
37:30 Insect Protein Production and Byproducts
41:36 Profitability in Insect Farming
44:55 Challenges in the Insect Protein Industry
49:05 Open Collaboration in Waste Management
52:52 Global Perspectives on Insect Protein
54:42 Advice for Future Leaders in the Industry
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsw3EJMmyfAWULh5_ISXRkg
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/black-soldier-fly-leaders/about/?viewAsMember=true