Recently, Tyson Foods announced a new partnership with Dutch company Protix, which specializes in producing insect-based protein ingredients. Tyson will reportedly acquire a minority stake in the company through a direct equity investment with aspirations of bringing insect ingredient production to the United States.<\/p>\n
\u201cTyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN), one of the world\u2019s largest food companies, has reached an agreement for a two-fold investment with Protix, the leading global insect ingredients company. The strategic investment will support the growth of the emerging insect ingredient industry and expand the use of insect ingredient solutions to create more efficient sustainable proteins and lipids for use in the global food system. The agreement combines Tyson Foods\u2019 global scale, experience and network with Protix\u2019s technology and market leadership to meet current market demand and scale production of insect ingredients,\u201d according to an official statement from Tyson.<\/p>\n
Tyson Foods seeks to utilize the joint venture to expand insect ingredient facilities both globally and in the United States. According to the company\u2019s official statement, Tyson Foods looks to incorporate insect protein into \u201cpet food, aquaculture, and livestock industries.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOur partnership with Protix represents the latest strategic investment by Tyson Foods in groundbreaking solutions that drive added value to Tyson Foods\u2019 business,\u201d said John R. Tyson, chief financial officer of Tyson Foods. \u201cThe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are very excited to announce the next step in our international growth strategy. Tyson Foods\u2019 and Protix\u2019s strategic partnership advances our joint work towards creating high-quality, more sustainable protein using innovative technology and solutions,\u201d according to the CEO of Protix, Kees Aarts. \u201cMoreover, 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.\u201d <\/p>\n
At this point, Tyson has not indicated plans to use insect protein as an ingredient in food marketed for human consumption. As noted in the Tyson statement, the bug-based components are only set to be used in pet food, aquaculture, and other animal-related industries.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen insects eat animal waste, they are essentially serving as \u2018mini bioreactors,\u2019 said Reza Ovissipour, assistant professor in sustainable food systems at Texas A&M University\u2019s Department of Food Science and Technology. \u201cAnd these mini bioreactors, they are very inexpensive,\u201d he said. \u201cYou don\u2019t need to apply that much energy. It\u2019s very sustainable.\u201d<\/p>\n
Furthermore, Protix maintains that its products are meant to be \u201clow-footprint ingredients\u201d that serve as environmentally friendly alternatives to existing animal feed and foods. The company claims they are a \u201chighly nutritious\u201d solution to environmental sustainability. See news coverage of the Tyson Foods announcement below.<\/p>\n