According to the company’s website news release on March 7, 2023, Marubeni Corporation (hereinafter, “Marubeni”), have signed a letter of intent to collaborate in order for SAS Ÿnsect (hereinafter, “Ÿnsect”), the world leader in the production of insect protein and natural insect fertilizers, (headquartered in France) to enter the Japanese market (hereinafter, “the Partnership”).
Due to global population growth and economic development, global food demand in 2050 is expected to be 1.7 times greater than in 2010, and protein demand is expected to be approximately twice as high as in 2005, making the food crisis and protein crisis social issues. There are concerns about a supply-demand crunch of fishmeal such as anchovy, which is an indispensable feed ingredient for the aquaculture industry, including yellowtail and sea bream, due to long years of harvesting and increased global demand for aquaculture. Japan is the second largest user of fishmeal in the world, and there is a growing need for solutions to develop alternatives to imported fishmeal, the price of which is expected to continue to rise in the future.
Ÿnsect was founded in 2011 to meet the challenges of our time: feeding the planet while fighting against climate change and operates three production sites around Europe and the USA. Ÿnsect is currently commissioning a fourth site, the world’s largest vertical farm in the world, in France. Ÿnsect is already producing and selling products for livestock, aquaculture, pets, food, and fertilizer.
Marubeni is engaged in diversified businesses and trading, including the production of aquaculture feed, to contribute to the stable supply of food by securing high-quality protein sources such as grains, livestock products, and marine products, which are staple foods in Japan. Marubeni aspires to be a forerunner in “Green Business” and is focusing on eco-friendly food products in their mid-term management strategy GC2024.
Marubeni and Ÿnsect will contribute to the establishment of a sustainable aquaculture industry and food supply chain in Japan, where the consumption of edible fish and shellfish is one of the highest in the world.
About Marubeni
Marubeni Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries use their broad business networks, both within Japan and overseas, to conduct importing and exporting (including third country trading), as well as domestic business, encompassing a diverse range of business activities across wide-ranging fields including lifestyle, ICT & real estate business, forest products, food, agri business, chemicals, energy, metals & mineral resources, power business, infrastructure project, aerospace & ship, finance & leasing business, construction, industrial machinery & mobility, and next generation business development.
Additionally, the Marubeni Group offers a variety of services, makes internal and external investments, and is involved in resource development throughout all of the above industries.
About Ÿnsect
Ÿnsect is the world leader in the production of insect protein and natural insect fertilizers. Founded in 2011 in Paris, France, by both scientists and environmental activists, Next40 and B Corp-certified, the company processes insects into high-end, high-value ingredients to feed the entire food chain: plants, animals, and humans. From its purpose-built state-of-the-art farms, Ÿnsect offers a long-term, sustainable, healthy solution to accelerate protein and plant consumption. Ÿnsect uses disruptive technology protected by more than 370 patents, to raise its Buffalo and Molitor mealworms in highly-automated vertical farms, creating value chains fully aligned with the Paris COP21 Agreement +1.5°C scenario and with the EU Fit for 55 target. Ÿnsect runs three production sites, one in Dole, France (commissioned in 2016), one in the Netherlands (2017) and a hatchery in Omaha, Nebraska, and is currently commissioning a fourth site, the world’s largest vertical farm, in Amiens, France. The company, which employs more than 360 people, has raised more than $450 million from major investment funds, banks and public entities and exports its products around the world.
