University of Applied Sciences Thomas More is launching an Insect Research Centre at its Innovation Campus in Geel (Antwerp Province) in early 2027, the university and the Province of Antwerp have said in a joint announcement. Here, researchers will be able to breed insects on a much larger scale to investigate the practical benefits they can offer. The centre will initially be based at the existing provincial Poultry Farming Research Centre.
Thomas More launches insect-rearing research centre: ‘Insects can serve as raw materials’
Colin Clapson
Published:
The centre will serve as a testing, training and innovation hub where farmers, researchers, public authorities and businesses can collaborate on insect farming.
It builds on 10 years of research by Thomas More and Leuven University into, amongst other things, the black soldier fly, whose larvae can convert waste – or organic waste streams – into raw materials.
“The insects convert waste into proteins, fats and oil and these raw materials can be used in the cosmetics, food or animal feed industries,” Sabine Van Miert, research coordinator at Thomas More, explains.
“In this way, we can reduce the volume of waste, and we can produce raw materials in a highly sustainable manner, as these insects take up very little space and use very little water.”
New opportunities for farmers too
In addition, the aim is to provide training for farmers. According to the Thomas More University, insect farming could offer new prospects for farmers who are faced with changing regulations and therefore find it difficult to make long-term plans.
“However promising it may be, a sector in its infancy presents a great deal of uncertainty for future entrepreneurs. Anyone who has to make investments or draw up a business plan wants to feel the backing of the sector and the government – and, ideally, a guarantee of success,” says Van Miert.
The Insect Practice Centre is intended to provide a solution to this. “At the centre, we will soon be able to give infrastructure demonstrations, organise training courses, showcase rearing methods and continue to carry out practice-oriented research.”
Measuring emissions too
The centre will also be able to collect data on, amongst other things, emissions, which will be useful to the public authorities when assessing permit applications.
The project is being carried out as part of the European ERDF GTI-Kempen programme. The facilities will be designed and put out to tender this year. Commissioning is scheduled for early 2027. By mid-2027 and in 2028, the centre should be operating at full capacity.