© Innovafeed
The FrenchFly consortium is built on an open, collaborative approach, fostering the sharing of scientific and technological advances for the benefit of the entire sector, notably through academic publications, specialised conferences and the dissemination of results across European professional networks. Launched at a time when food sovereignty, decarbonisation and industrial relocation have become national priorities, FrenchFly stands out as a strategic initiative for the future of sustainable proteins in France.
The insect sector indeed plays a key role in addressing several national priorities: food security and sovereignty, green reindustrialisation, the creation of skilled industrial jobs across regions and a significant contribution to the decarbonisation of the agri-food industry.
In a context where some historical players in the sector are facing challenges, Innovafeed highlights the importance of supporting structuring initiatives capable of completing the demonstration of the model and securing the future of this strategic industry for France.
“This partnership between Innovafeed and IRBI is a major accelerator for the generation of scientific knowledge. The synergy between our respective areas of expertise enables us to broaden and deepen our understanding of Hermetia illucens biology, while promoting the sharing and valorisation of this knowledge for the benefit of the entire insect industry ecosystem,” said Mathieu Vanderstraete, director of Innovafeed’s research centre in Gouzeaucourt, in a press release.
A unique academic–industrial partnership
Innovafeed, now a global leader and a French industrial player capable of demonstrating a commercially viable model at scale, brings to the project its industrial deployment capabilities, operational expertise, and strategic vision for the sector.
Alongside it, IRBI, a leading research centre in insect biology, provides a world-class scientific foundation to deepen the understanding of the BSF, optimise rearing conditions, assess its interactions with the environment, and strengthen the overall competitiveness of the sector through the generation of robust, open-access knowledge.
“The biology of insects is fascinating: at IRBI, we study how they grow, reproduce, and interact with both their peers and their environment,” said Christophe Bressac, professor and researcher from the University of Tours. “Thanks to FrenchFly, the different levels of insect biology, from genome to populations, are being integrated into food systems. The synergy with Innovafeed will provide precise insights to optimise the life cycle of this new farmed species while minimising its environmental footprint.”
