USA – Tyson Foods, one of the world’s largest food companies, is making a significant move towards sustainable protein production through a partnership with Protix, a global leader in insect ingredients.
According to Tyson Foods, the strategic investment and collaboration aim to bolster the growth of the emerging insect ingredient industry, leveraging innovative technology to create more efficient and sustainable proteins and lipids for the global food system.
This partnership, which represents Tyson Foods’ commitment to continuous innovation and sustainable solutions, is also expected to open a new revenue stream while promoting Protix’s international expansion efforts.
It includes key components that Equity Investment in which Tyson Foods will acquire a minority stake in Protix to support the company’s global expansion and a Joint Venture in which Tyson Foods and Protix will collaborate on the operation and construction of a cutting-edge insect ingredient facility in the continental United States.
Once completed, the facility will be the first large-scale facility of its kind, upcycling food manufacturing byproducts into high-quality insect proteins and lipids, primarily intended for use in the pet food, aquaculture, and livestock industries.
The joint venture also aims to leverage Tyson Foods’ global scale, experience, and network with Protix’s technological expertise and market leadership.
The facility will encompass the entire insect protein production process, from breeding and incubating to the hatching of insect larvae.
“Our partnership with Protix represents the latest strategic investment by Tyson Foods in groundbreaking solutions that drive added value to Tyson Foods’ business,” John R. Tyson, the Chief Financial Officer of Tyson Foods stated.
“The insect lifecycle provides the opportunity for full circularity within our value chain, strengthening our commitment to building a more sustainable food system for the future.”
In addition, Kees Aarts, CEO of Protix, shared his excitement about this international growth strategy, highlighting the joint effort’s goal to create high-quality, sustainable protein using innovative solutions.
He emphasized that the agreement represents a significant milestone for Protix and will accelerate their ambition to grow through international partnerships.
“We are very excited to announce the next step in our international growth strategy. Tyson Foods’ and Protix’s strategic partnership advances our joint work towards creating high-quality, more sustainable protein using innovative technology and solutions,” he said.
“Moreover, we can immediately use their existing byproducts as feedstock for our insects. This agreement is a major milestone for Protix and significantly accelerates our ambition to grow through international partnerships.”
The financial terms of this partnership and the exact location of the planned insect ingredient facility in the continental United States were not disclosed.
