South Africa-based AgriProtein Technologies is
breeding
maggots as a sustainable alternative protein source for animal feed and
looking for ways to expand their business to meet industry needs.
The company is part of a new industry called nutrient recycling, which uses organic waste to create protein. It began out of a need to find sustainable alternatives to fishmeal, which has become almost half of the fish removed from the sea, according to David Drew, one of the company's founders. Research and development on Magmeal with the University of Stellenbosch Animal Nutritional Department started over three years ago.
The challenge now is that AgriProtein Technologies can't make Magmeal in the volumes that are needed to meet the industry needs, according to the company. The potential big users would need vast quantities of the product — an estimated 1,000 tons per month. "We can make 100 kilos here and there but to be a serious business, we need to be making much more per day," said Drew. "This is what we are busy finalizing — a production process that will allow us to make about 100 tons of larvae per day. This is scheduled to start at the end of 2012. We are currently raising money for our first big factory; a $10-million asking. This is a real step up in terms of financing for us, and we have very interested partners."
The company is part of a new industry called nutrient recycling, which uses organic waste to create protein. It began out of a need to find sustainable alternatives to fishmeal, which has become almost half of the fish removed from the sea, according to David Drew, one of the company's founders. Research and development on Magmeal with the University of Stellenbosch Animal Nutritional Department started over three years ago.
The challenge now is that AgriProtein Technologies can't make Magmeal in the volumes that are needed to meet the industry needs, according to the company. The potential big users would need vast quantities of the product — an estimated 1,000 tons per month. "We can make 100 kilos here and there but to be a serious business, we need to be making much more per day," said Drew. "This is what we are busy finalizing — a production process that will allow us to make about 100 tons of larvae per day. This is scheduled to start at the end of 2012. We are currently raising money for our first big factory; a $10-million asking. This is a real step up in terms of financing for us, and we have very interested partners."
While I am happy for the South Africans, who have done an excellent job or Publicity with their Blood to Maggot meal concept - this technology really started in North America. Our company, Poultry Waste Company of Nashville, Tenn., has pioneered the use of maggots for the processing of Poultry Waste making the world finest organic fertilizer AND maggot meal for animals and fish. For three years we have sought funding through just about every source possible - but none available, as in most things great - developed here but not supported, or financed.
ReplyDeleteI would bet that our system has greatly enhanced energy efficiency, better output and higher profitability.
Publicity aside - The American Team was and is First. The South Africans have been much better than we in obtaining Press and Capital, which we have not been able to generate, so The American Team loses yet again, for lack of support, with a technology invented here!
T. Hartsock, Nashville, TN
615-915-8803
hehe, come on, your leader tells us that we live now in a global village!! so bury that nationalism...after all most US people don't even know where SA is !! Some of your US web sites don't even mention Africa so thank for the advert.
ReplyDeleteNobody loses if we work together.... we can !!
by the way we also invented the car remote alarm , the electricity prepaid meters and the general concept of Pay as you go not to mention Burglar alarm systems.