Taking insect farming
to the next level
Using genetic engineering, BugEra improves the natural traits of the Black Soldier Fly (BSF) to augment biomanufacturing, enables the expansion of the BSF market to novel applications and biomaterials, based on innovative circular-economy principles.
The Need
The global climate crisis, together with the growing human population presents an existential threat that has never been encountered before. Transitioning to a circular bio-economy with proper waste-management systems plays an essential role in overcoming these challenges. Expanding dynamic insect farming can potentially provide efficient nutrient recovery from diverse organic-waste streams and decrease greenhouse emissions (GHG).
The Black Soldier Fly (BSF) – our hero, is a harmless fly and is the leading species in the insect farming industry because of its unique ability to upcycle organic waste from almost any origin into high-quality protein and oil sold for farm animals, aquaculture, and pet feed.
Biomass-based fuels – a family of biofuel products (biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel ) that decrease GHG by as much as 80%, but are dependent on unsustainable oil crops like soy, corn, and palm, which are also used for feed and food. While the demand for biofuel will grow significantly over the next five years, it is constrained by the availability of sustainable oils.
BSF oil is a perfect fit for biofuel. However, it is not commercialized due to low oil volume.
Our Innovation
BugEra leverages state-of-the-art genetic engineering to develop novel BSF strains. BugEra develops a patent-pending modified BSF platform (M-BSF Platform) that promotes the development of multiple strains for diverse verticals.
Introducing BugEra’s pioneering product: the BSFx2 strain. Designed to address the burgeoning demand for biofuel, BSFx2 doubles the oil yield of black soldier fly larvae. This breakthrough not only eliminates major economic obstacles but also transforms organic waste into a viable, eco-friendly oil source for the biofuel sector. With BSFx2, BugEra is bridging the gap between the black soldier fly and biofuel industries.
Furthermore, oil from BSFx2 can reduce the biofuel carbon footprint of currently used crops oils by 80%, generating significant carbon value for the biofuel industry while increasing organic-waste recycling.
M-BSF Plaform
Novel
Strains
Novel Strains
BSFx2
Doubles the volume of
larvae oil
Biofuel
Biodiesel, renewable diesel
and sustainable aviation fuel
The Markets
BSF: More Than Just Protein – BugEra Pioneers the Biofuel Transition.
BSF Market
BugEra views the more than 75 black soldier fly (BSF) farming enterprises in operation as its valued clients. These farms vary in size and capability, with the most expansive processing up to 250 tons of organic waste daily, primarily to produce components for animal-feed formulations. Projected growth for the BSF market is promising; by 2033, it’s expected to surge to a value of $4 billion, boasting a CAGR of 30%. BugEra stands at the forefront of this expansion, with innovative solutions that not only propel BSF farming into new markets but also cater to the rising demand in the biofuel sector.
Benefits for the BSF Market
A premium oil for biofuel with double the volume
Opening new markets with increased profitability
Utilizing new substrates while decreasing operational costs
“Plug-and-Play” based on existing protocols and technologies
BIOFUEL Market
(Biodiesel, Renewable Diesel and Sustainable Aviation Fuel)
By 2026, the US Energy Information Agency (EIA) estimates that the production of biofuel will increase by 83%, resulting in twice the demand for biofuel crop oil (soy, corn and palm) in less than five years. The market is constrained by sustainable oil availability, and without innovation in lipid supply, the biofuel industry will create major competition between food and fuel. If BSF oil can capture just 1% of the lipid demand by 2026, it would present an opportunity of nearly $1 billion.
Benefits for the Biofuel Market
Novel, proven high-quality lipids for biofuel
Sustainable & price competitive feedstock
Double sustainability premium
Elastic supply
Partners
One of the 10 largest global oil companies – Product Market Fit
A leading UK and Singapore-based investment group focused on sustainable investing in global emerging markets
Leading investor in multiple BSF and biotech companies
- Multiple grants
- BugEra takes a leading part in the Israel Innovation Authority “BSF Israel True Circular Economy”
Impact
BugEra’s core technology – the M-BSF platform and the BSFx2 targets the biofuel
market while addressing at least four UN SDGs.
The M-BSF Platform is BugEra’s core technology for future biodegradable biopesticide that supports resilient agriculture while increasing productivity.
Novel and highly sustainable lipids for cleaner fossil-fuel production.
Upcycling more organic and non-feed grade organic waste for sustainable products and expanding circular economy principles
Our technology fundamentally expands the circular economy and reduces GHG emissions from current organic-waste management and liquid fuels.
We believe, that the potential of Insect farming (InsecTech), and BSF in particular, is far from being realized. Our strains are enablers for huge potential growth for a carbon negative future by enhancing organic waste upcycling, adopting innovative circular economy principles that take bioeconomy and biomanufacturing to the next level.
Media
About BugEra
BugEra (Bugheera) stands at the nexus of insect biotechnology, paving the way for a sustainable future. BugEra U.S.-Israeli start-up, rooted in Beer Sheva, is an offshoot from the Life Science Department at Ben-Gurion University (BGU). The visionary behind BugEra is Dr. Anna Melkov, the company’s CTO. Recognized with the Golda-Meir scholarship award, Dr. Melkov is an expert in insect genetics. She co-founded the company alongside two esteemed professionals: Prof. Uri Abdu, the company’s CSO, who is also the Founder & Head of the Insect Genetics Lab at Ben Gurion University since 2004, and Yoav Etgar, the CEO. Yoav, a retired LTC from the Israeli Air Force, brings his extensive leadership acumen and expertise in global operations to the table. Complementing BugEra’s management team is Dr. Yoni Alcalay, the Head of R&D. Trained as an ecologist and biologist, Yoni possesses a wealth of knowledge in entomological research, spanning genetics, behavior, and reproductive studies
America’s Cultivation Corridor –
scaleup to the U.S. ag. bioscience
