Egypt-based company Proteina is being supported by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Union to expand the production of insect-based protein.

Proteina was initially established as a soy production plant to supply protein to animal feed companies. The company has been focused on supporting the poultry and aquafeed sector in Egypt, by reducing the dependency on imports for the Egyptian feed sector.

Recognizing the significant challenges facing the industry – especially the growing scarcity of soybean yields and the environmental impact of traditional feed sources, Ashraf El Sharkaway, owner of Proteina Feeds, decided to invest in black soldier fly production.

After nearly eight years of development, Ashraf and his team have persisted in refining their technology. "It took a tremendous amount of patience – and perhaps a touch of stubbornness," he reflected. "The market has finally caught up with our vision. With evolving cost structures, insect protein can now truly compete with traditional protein sources."

Their efforts culminated in the launch of their sister company Proteina Organics. The venture aims the goal to establish Egypt’s first large-scale state-of-the-art black soldier fly larvae production facility.

Creating a habitat for the larvae nevertheless proved difficult, as they require stable climatic conditions. With support from the EBRD's international expertise in sustainable climate control, Proteina developed its first production facility featuring an innovative water-based cooling system. The company is now working toward reaching full capacity, with the goal of upcycling 15 tons of waste daily.