Innovafeed and the Institute for Research on Insect Biology (IRBI) have launched FrenchFly, a joint research initiative designed to address remaining scientific and technological barriers to large-scale Black Soldier Fly (BSF) production in France.
The project, funded through the French government's France 2030 investment plan with support from Bpifrance's I-Démo program, pairs Innovafeed's industrial-scale production capabilities with IRBI's insect biology research expertise. FrenchFly aims to optimize BSF rearing conditions, assess the insect's environmental interactions, and generate open-access scientific knowledge for the broader sector.
IRBI, affiliated with the University of Tours and the CNRS, will focus on deepening understanding of Hermetia illucens biology across multiple levels, from genomics to population dynamics.
"The biology of insects is fascinating: at IRBI, we study how they grow, reproduce and interact with both their peers and their environment," said Christophe Bressac, professor and researcher in biology and ecology at the University of Tours. "Thanks to FrenchFly, the different levels of insect biology, from genome to populations, are being integrated into food systems. The synergy with Innovafeed will provide precise insights to optimize the life cycle of this new farmed species while minimizing its environmental footprint."
FrenchFly is structured as an open consortium, with plans to share findings through academic publications, specialized conferences, and European professional networks.
"This partnership between Innovafeed and IRBI is a major accelerator for the generation of scientific knowledge," said Mathieu Vanderstraete, director of Innovafeed's Research Center in Gouzeaucourt. "The synergy between our respective areas of expertise enables us to broaden and deepen our understanding of Hermetia illucens biology, while promoting the sharing and [application] of this knowledge for the benefit of the entire insect industry ecosystem."
