UAE launches first waste-to-feed upcycling project in the region, Here's what you need to know
June 5, 2024
By Expat Media
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UAE launches first waste-to-feed upcycling project in the region
Minister of Climate Change and Environment Mariam Bint Mohammed Almheiri launched the region's first organic waste upcycling project. Circa Biotech's enterprise raises black soldier fly (BSF) larvae that are fed food scraps before being processed into animal proteins, organic fertilizers, and oils.
The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) inked an MoU with Circa Biotech to assist the pioneering project during a tour of the company's headquarters in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi.
“This agreement is part of the UAE’s ongoing drive to enhance food security and sustainability based on innovation, green development, and climate change mitigation. The project leverages nature-based solutions to address challenges resulting from the accumulation of organic waste. This way, it creates sustainable economic opportunities that strengthen the resilience of our food supply chain while transforming waste from an environmental burden into an economic resource," said Mariam Bint Mohammed Almheiri during the inauguration.
“The world is witnessing a rise in capital funding for insect farming companies. In the UAE, we consider support for innovation and R&D a foundation for raising the efficiency of the circular economy model. Circa Biotech’s project follows the principles of the circular economy by using organic waste and the nutrients it contains as inputs into the feed production process, thus enhancing food security.
“To support industries that need insect proteins, we must draw a roadmap to facilitate the imports of agricultural inputs and enhance related government services. This project will contribute to reducing the carbon footprint of the agricultural sector by producing organic feed and fertilizers in a sustainable way. In addition, it will divert organic waste away from the landfill and reduce methane emissions resulting from its decomposition.” added Almheiri.
Masdar City is strengthening its position as the primary location for some of the world's most cutting-edge sustainability projects, according to Mohamed Al Ramahi, CEO of Masdar. Masdar City is the only planned and approved R&D cluster in Abu Dhabi.
He claimed that they were delighted to be home to this innovative food waste management project by Circa Biotech, which is backed by MOCCAE, with our partner The Catalyst, the region's first accelerator for sustainability-focused start-ups. He went on to say that Masdar City looks forward to maintaining its role in building tomorrow's sustainable industry.
“At Circa Biotech, we developed an innovative process to upcycle food waste into protein-rich animal feed using industrial insect farming. It’s a commercially viable solution to locally produce animal feed with a highly sustainable process. At a full industrial scale, we plan to produce 22,000 tons of animal feed per year," said Haythem Riahi, co-founder and CEO of Circa Biotech.
The project at Circa Biotech will create 1.5 tons of organic fertilizer each month at first. The company intends to expand manufacturing at a later date, processing 200 tons of food waste each day and upcycling it into the food value chain. This will contribute to meeting the growing need for livestock feed in the area. It will also reduce aquaculture's reliance on fishmeal, which is experiencing price rises and instability due to limited availability, with fishmeal expenses accounting for up to 80% of the industry's spending.
The manufactured feed is heavy in protein, lipids, minerals, and vitamins, as well as having a high nutritional value. Because of the BSF's short 45-day life cycle and high productivity, the larvae can be harvested every 14 days. Because it does not spread diseases, does not cause harm or infestations, and is a non-invasive species, the BSF is suitable for feed production. The BSF are raised in an ICS environment with sensors that record real-time temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide levels under carefully controlled illumination. This approach provides efficient resource utilization and water consumption, as well as low emissions and low climate change impact.
Circa Biotech has competed in a number of entrepreneurial challenges around the UAE, and its primary purpose is to improve the management of organic waste in megacities with the goal of diverting it from landfills. Every person in the UAE generates approximately 197 kg of food waste per year, which can be converted into high-quality organic fertilizers for use in aquaculture and livestock farms near large cities.
The Ministry of Environment and Water became the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) in February 2006. The ministry has a dual mandate under its new definition. On a national level, it intends to bolster the UAE's efforts to protect the environment and promote food diversity, in line with the country's goal of being a leading example of sustainable development. KMB/Expat Media
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