PR88949

Ynsect accelerates its international expansion with the acquisition of Dutch AgTech business Protifarm, as it scales into the market for human food ingredients made from insects

PARIS, Apr. 13, 2021 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

-- The integration announces growth in Ynsect mealworm production capacity with

two mealworms species now in its portfolio

Ynsect, the world leader in natural insect protein, has acquired Protifarm, the

global leader in mealworm ingredients for human food applications. Their joint

offering will accelerate manufacturing capabilities with a third production

site, as the company move to deliver on its long-term strategy to offer a

healthy, sustainable solution to the accelerating consumption of protein.

Following the European Food Safety Authority deeming mealworms safe for human

consumption this January, Ynsect is expanding into the market of food

ingredients derived from insect ingredients for humans.

In addition to its sites in France, Ynsect now expands internationally with the

integration of Protifarm, a Dutch production site based in Ermelo, one hour

east of Amsterdam. This solidifies the company's position as the world's

largest insect food and feed player.

"Protifarm is a compelling fit for Ynsect, perfectly matching our long-term

goals and sustainability values. Acquiring Protifarm is a strategic next step

for us, strengthening Ynsect's leading position in the global market and

allowing us to properly address the human and pet food markets with

complementary products," explains Antoine Hubert, Co-Founder and CEO of Ynsect.

The Dutch state-of-the-art vertical farm produces more than 1,000 metric tons

of food ingredients annually. With two Ynsect production sites in operation and

one under construction, the result is an increase in volume and accelerated

production and delivery to customers.

Ynsect and Protifarm already share a lot of common ground, from the way they

approach science and technology on mealworms, to quality and operational

excellence. Protifarm brings nearly 40 years of experience in insect breeding

and owns 37 patents across 10 categories, bringing the total number of patents

owned by Ynsect to nearly 300.

"The evolution of a more sustainable intake of nutrition is only at its

beginning, but the demand for products meeting these standards is set to grow

exponentially in the coming years. The consolidation of Protifarm with Ynsect

will expand our scale to meet this demand globally," comments Tom Mohrmann, CEO

of Protifarm.

With established food customers in Germany, the Netherlands, England, Denmark,

and Belgium, Protifarm's Novel Food application is expected, same as Ynsect's,

to receive EU approval in the near term. As Protifarm's Buffalo mealworm and

Ynsect's Molitor mealworm meet complementary needs, the company now offers a

platform of interchangeable food and feed ingredients, addressing the demand

for different premium applications coming from two types of mealworm.

About Ynsect

Ynsect is the world leader in natural insect protein and fertilizer production.

Founded in 2011 in Paris, Ynsect transforms insects into premium ingredients

for pets, fish, plants, and human beings. From its state of the art farms,

Ynsect uses pioneering proprietary technology protected globally by c.300

patents to produce Molitor and Buffalo mealworms in vertical farms.

www.ynsect.com

Contact: Ynsect

         Anais Maury

         anais.maury@ynsect.com

         +33-(0)6-78-44-59-80;

         HOPSCOTCH FOOD & DRINK

         Katie Kelly

         kkelly@hopscotch.eu

         +44-20-3372-9408          

SOURCE:  Ynsect