On October 27th, the first insect farming facility in South Tyrol was inaugurated in Tramin as part of the Interreg Alpine Space project CEFoodCycle. Developed by Solos and Reploid, the facility transforms organic waste into high-quality insect-based animal feed, marking a major step toward a circular economy in the region: The insect larvae are fed with locally sourced food by-products, processed in collaboration with Ecorott. The resulting sustainable fish feed replaces traditional fishmeal and is used in Solos’ aquaculture systems.
“This milestone closes the feed loop in our circular model,” said Solos CEO Matthäus Kircher. Reploid’s board member Philip Pauer highlighted the innovation as a benchmark for sustainable food production in Italy, combining insect protein, fish farming, and vegetable cultivation. Project lead Petra Untermarzoner emphasized the facility’s role in reducing food waste, while Martha Gärber from the South Tyrol Department of Europe praised the EU’s support for future-oriented regional development.
Supported by NOI Techpark, the initiative showcases South Tyrol’s leadership in sustainable food systems and circular innovation.