French-based insect producer, Agronutris, has decided to locate its second industrial site in Rethel, right next to its first plant. This new facility will create one of the world’s largest industrial sites dedicated to insect proteins in the Ardennes.
On June 22, the elected representatives of the Pays Rethélois local council community voted unanimously to sell the 10 ha of land housing the second plant. The two plants will now cover a total surface area of 56,000 m2 on a site covering almost 20 ha. Ultimately, the site will process more than 280,000 tonnes of byproducts and bio-residues from the local area, producing almost 30,000 tonnes of insect meal. It will also create 200 direct jobs in the region over the next few years.
“Situated at the crossroads of Europe, the Ardennes have an optimal logistical network and significant sources of the inputs we need to feed our insects. The creation of this large-scale industrial site, with two plants in close proximity to each other, will create strong operational synergies and ensure continuity in our deployment,” explained Mehdi Berrada, co-founder of Agronutris.
Agronutris raised €100 million in 2021 to finance the construction of its first 16,000 m2 plant in Rethel. The plant, which will employ 60 people by the end of the year, was built in a record time of 18 months.
