Loading organizations...
Key people at Protix.
Protix develops and produces sustainable insect-based ingredients, primarily utilizing the black soldier fly, to transform organic waste into valuable resources. Their core offering includes high-quality proteins, lipids, and fertilizers for various applications. The company integrates advanced technology with natural biological processes to create a circular food system.
Protix was founded in 2009 by Kees Aarts, who currently serves as CEO. His insight stemmed from recognizing the potential of insects to restore balance to the food system and address the inefficiencies of traditional protein sources. Under his leadership, the company pioneered industrial-scale insect farming, establishing it as a viable and sustainable solution for ingredient production.
Protix's ingredients serve customers across diverse markets, including pet food, aquaculture feed, livestock feed, and plant nutrition. The company's long-term vision centers on bringing the food system back into harmony with nature by reintroducing insects into the food chain. Protix aims to contribute to feeding the growing global population sustainably, minimizing environmental impact such as deforestation, overfishing, and food waste.
Key people at Protix.
Protix is a Dutch technology company specializing in sustainable insect-based ingredients, primarily using black soldier flies to convert organic waste into high-quality proteins, oils, and other products for animal feed, pet food, aquaculture, livestock, plant care, and insect farming.[1][2][7] It solves the problem of unsustainable food production by providing low-footprint alternatives to traditional feeds like fishmeal and soy, reducing CO2 emissions, water use, and land requirements while supporting a circular economy.[3][6][7] With the world's largest insect factory in Bergen op Zoom, Netherlands, Protix has raised over €70 million in funding and serves major brands, demonstrating strong growth amid rising demand for eco-friendly nutrition.[3][4]
Protix was founded in 2009 by CEO Kees Aarts in 's-Hertogenbosch (also noted as Dongen or Hertogenbosch), Netherlands, inspired by the black soldier fly's natural ability to transform waste into valuable nutrients.[1][2][4][5] The idea emerged from recognizing insects' potential to address global food system challenges, like feeding 10 billion people by 2050 without deforestation or overfishing.[7] Early traction included €45 million in funding in 2017—the largest in the insect industry at the time—acquiring Fair Insects for human consumption tech, and partnerships like Buhler Insect Technology Solutions.[3][4] Pivotal moments were opening the world's largest insect factory in Bergen op Zoom in 2019 and EIT Food support for scaling industrial black soldier fly processing.[3][4]
Protix rides the wave of alternative proteins and circular economy trends, capitalizing on sustainability mandates, consumer demand for low-impact feeds, and innovations in insect processing like enzymatic hydrolysis.[1][7] Timing aligns with 2050 food security pressures and regional strengths—Europe's regulations, North America's R&D, and Asia-Pacific's aquaculture needs—driving market growth.[1][4] It influences the ecosystem by partnering with brands, research institutes, and feed manufacturers, accelerating adoption of insect tech, reducing reliance on resource-intensive inputs, and enabling compliance with eco-regulations.[2][3][6]
Protix is poised to expand its industrial footprint and product applications, potentially resuming projects like the paused Poland plant amid favorable insect protein market trends fueled by scalability advances and investments.[1][4] Rising sustainability demands and collaborative R&D will shape its path, amplifying influence in aquafeed and pet nutrition while pushing circular food systems globally.[1][2] As the leader in insect solutions, Protix exemplifies how biotech can rebalance food production, turning waste into nutrition for a sustainable future.[7]
