The black soldier fly (hermetia illucens) is a beneficial insect species found in many regions of the world. Unlike common houseflies, it is not harmful to humans and does not transmit diseases.
Hermetia illucens has gained significant attention for its key role in recycling organic waste. Its larvae can efficiently convert a wide range of organic waste—including food waste, agricultural residues, and certain industrial by-products into biomass rich in proteins and fats. This process relies on the larvae’s digestive system, which contains specialized enzymes and bacteria that rapidly break down organic matter.
BSF and composting.
One often cited study by Mertenat et al. (2019) compared direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from Black Soldier Fly (BSF) systems with traditional (!) windrow composting methods. Their findings showed that BSF processing produced 47 times lower direct CO2eq emissions than conventional composting. This significant reduction is primarily due to the rapid biological activity and controlled environment provided by the larvae. The larvae consume and break down organic matter much faster than the microbial communities in traditional composting, minimizing the time during which anaerobic microzones—pockets without sufficient oxygen—can form. These anaerobic zones are the main sources of methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions in conventional composting. Additionally, the physical movement, moisture regulation, and aeration in BSF systems create a more uniform and oxygen-rich environment, further limiting the formation of the more potent greenhouse gases.
Mertenat compares BSF to traditional/natural composting, not high-tech professional composting with advanced emission controls or optimized aeration, and the gap narrows significantly when compared to industrial composting. Mertenat study had a developing country focus, and indeed it showed that BSF is vastly superior to the natural (traditional) rot of organic matter.
While the BSF process also leaks some carbon as CO2 through larval respiration, it offsets this by displacing the high-carbon footprint of fishmeal and soy production through the effective recycling of nutrients into sustainable useful proteins.
BSF conversion products and challenges.
The Black Soldier Fly converts organic waste into four high-value products:
- Protein Meal: A sustainable, nutrient-dense replacement for fishmeal and soy in animal and aquaculture feed.
- Lipids (Oils): Energy-rich fats used in animal nutrition or as a feedstock for biodiesel.
- Chitin: Extracted from their shells for use in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and bioplastics.
- Frass: Their nutrient-rich excrement, which serves as a potent organic fertilizer.
While BSF technology offers an interesting solution for converting organic waste into high-value products such as chicken feed, pet food, and animal proteins, its widespread adoption faces a couple of critical regulatory challenges and legal considerations, for the sale of these insect-based products. Clear national regulations, certified production standards, are essential to creating trust in the quality and safety of the output.
@generizon is watching the space. While we investigate and think that BSF technology has potential, we are also aware of the practical challenges associated with scaling and commercializing the BSF solution. Similar to the issues encountered with spreading anaerobic digestion (AD) digestate from organic waste streams, BSF-derived products would face hurdles in standardization, market acceptance, and consistent quality, which may make them more difficult to sell or integrate.
BSF has not been integrated into generizon’s approach, though this may change in the future.
BSF of OFMSW.
generizon’s integrated approach continues to focus on plug-flow anaerobic digestion as the optimal treatment for the “contaminated” Organic Fraction of Municipal Solid Waste (OFMSW). OFMSW-AD converts waste into several known valuable and saleable products (biogas and RDF). BSF conversion of OFMSW because of regulation doesn’t have a product in comparison.
BSF of SSOW.
Wet SSOW-AD as described forms a pillar in generizon’s integrated waste management approach, producing C-rich biogaz (CH4 and CO2), and a slurry digestate for fertilizer land application. A more solid SSOW on the other hand makes an ideal BSF bioconversion substrate, upcycling nutrients producing proteins/fats.
Synergies between AD and BSF.
Advanced facilities are moving toward integration of the two processes.
- Step 1: BSF larvae process the high-value solids from SSOW.
- Step 2: The leftovers, frass and unconsumed substrate are fed into an AD unit.
The Result: We get high-value protein and biogas, while significantly reducing the total volume of waste that needs final disposal.
