* I am absolutely fascinated by this press release. I had no idea that such a thing existed…
The State of Illinois today joined ADM and Innovafeed – leaders in production of animal nutrition and feed – in announcing major new plans to bring the world’s largest insect protein production to Decatur, Illinois. The facility will be owned and operated by the French insect producer Innovafeed and will co-locate with ADM’s Decatur corn processing complex, with ADM supplying feedstocks, waste heat and more. Together, these investments will bolster Illinois’ access to sustainable agriculture feed supply, while creating new jobs and advancing the growing agriculture industry in Illinois.
“InnovaFeed’s decision to bring their first ever international facility and state-of-the-art agriculture technology to Illinois is a vote of confidence for our state, and a win for our farming communities,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Illinois has always been a global leader in agriculture and technology, and we offer the resources to support this major international expansion – with an educated workforce, proximity to global businesses like ADM, and access to shipping and logistics. The investments InnovaFeed is making in Decatur will not only support our thriving agriculture industry – a cornerstone of our economy – but will unlock new well-paying jobs for our communities.”
“We are very pleased to launch this ambitious project, working alongside ADM and Illinois state partners as InnovaFeed expands to provide sustainable solutions to meet the fast-growing demand for insect feed in the US and worldwide,” said Clement Ray, CEO and co-founder of InnovaFeed. “Around the world, InnovaFeed is contributing to the emergence of sustainable food systems by developing a pioneering and sustainable industry. Our new operations in Illinois, a global leader and destination for agriculture, will allow us to take the next steps to innovate and grow our business.”
Insect feed has become an increasingly popular protein ingredient for agriculture and aquaculture industries, as demand for animal feed has now reached an all-time high and consumers look for food that is sustainably and responsibly grown. InnovaFeed already operates two insect production facilities in France, including what is today the world’s largest. The Decatur facility represents InnovaFeed’s first international project.
“At a time when the demand for animal feed protein is steadily increasing, insect farming stands out as a true solution for the future,” said Chris Cuddy, ADM senior vice president and president of the company’s Carbohydrate Solutions business. “We’re excited to work with InnovaFeed on this ambitious project, which further expands our participation in the growing market for animal food and feed that comes from responsible, sustainable sources. It is a great demonstration of how ADM is expanding its value chain by offering opportunities for collaboration to leading, innovative startups. It is yet another example of how we are constantly identifying new ways to create value from corn, oilseeds and more. And of course, we are extremely proud that we can help bring this new, job-creating project to Decatur, the home of our North American headquarters.”
Construction of the new high-capacity facility is expected to create more than 280 direct and 400 indirect jobs in the Decatur region by the second phase. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and the Illinois workNet Center will partner with InnovaFeed to develop recruiting strategies as well as on-the-job training programs. DCEO partnered with InnovaFeed through an EDGE agreement to support this large-scale capital investment. Additionally, InnovaFeed will benefit from the Decatur-Macon County Enterprise Zone and customized incentive opportunities from the City of Decatur and Economic Development Corporation of Decatur-Macon County.
“Illinois remains open for business, and companies continue to choose Illinois for growth based on our industry strengths, talent, education and access to infrastructure,” said DCEO Director Erin B. Guthrie. “With agriculture a leading industry and employer for communities across our state, these investments by InnovaFeed to bring their one-of-a-kind technology will support our farmers and those who rely upon farms. We look forward to partnering with the company on ensuring our local residents have access to jobs and economic opportunity created by this exciting new project in Decatur.”
Construction is targeted to begin in 2021, pending necessary permitting and approvals. Construction and production will come in two phases. When both are complete, the plant would have a target annual production capacity of 60,000 metric tons of animal feed protein derived from Hermetia Illucens, a type of fly with exceptional nutritional qualities; the plant will also have the capability to produce 20,000 metric tons every year of oils for poultry and swine rations, and 400,000 metric tons of fertilizer.
“The city of Decatur is pleased to partner with InnovaFeed to bring this unique and innovative facility to our community,” said Decatur Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe. “Not only will this project fuel both direct and indirect job creation, but it affirms that our best prospects for creating new jobs are in the agri-business sector, in partnership with our existing businesses, in a city that is an ideal place for groundbreaking advanced manufacturing. ADM, the State of Illinois, the Economic Development Corporation of Decatur-Macon County, and the City of Decatur worked together to bring this plant to Decatur. Our concierge approach results in joint incentive opportunities to support InnovaFeed’s infrastructure and operational needs.”
The plant will be built using an innovative model of industrial collaboration that InnovaFeed has already demonstrated in other facilities enabling the French Biotech company to produce the insect protein with the lowest carbon footprint on the market. The plant will be co-located with ADM’s Decatur corn complex, with complementary infrastructure that will allow ADM to directly provide corn by-products to supply InnovaFeed’s innovative insect rearing process, as well as waste heat and steam. This collaborative operational model will enable the Innovafeed facility to reduce CO2 emissions by 80 percent versus standalone production.
Advancements in agriculture technology are a key component of Governor’s Pritzker’s 5-year economic growth plan – which prioritizes investments in high growth potential industry clusters, including agriculture, technology, manufacturing, life sciences, and more. Specifically, the plan seeks to boost growth in the agriculture sector by facilitating technology adoption, encouraging innovation, and boosting connections with global markets. With over $8.5 billion in agricultural exports annually, 27 million acres of farmland, and over 300,000 residents employed by this industry, Illinois is an agriculture powerhouse. To sustain the growth of the increasingly technology-oriented agriculture industry – Illinois is making significant infrastructure investments, including through its $400 million program to create universal basic broadband access, and with a series of infrastructure upgrade investments for ports and shipping hubs located across the state, as directed by the Governor’s historic $45 billion capital plan.
- Thomas Paine - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 9:17 am:
This is probably how Soylant Green got it’s start.
- West Side the Best Side - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 9:21 am:
This is great. A topic that won’t cause commenters’ blood pressures to rise or lead to insulting comments. More like this please.
- Amalia - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 9:21 am:
You had me at the Python reference. Now we need a state bug, not just the beautiful Monarch butterfly.
- Dtown - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 9:22 am:
I’m sure the snark will be heavy here, but this is an interesting twist on agriculture and great news for Decatur. I had no idea that this is a thing.
- MSIX - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 9:23 am:
One has to wonder how well “Bug Fed Beef” will work as a marketing ploy.
- doofman - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 9:29 am:
And here I was hoping we were getting a man with a tape recorder up his brother’s nose…
- Pius - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 9:29 am:
Soylent orange and blue!
- Just Me 2 - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 9:31 am:
Illinois politicians don’t need any more bugs to worry about than the ones planted by the FBI already.
- Skeptic - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 9:31 am:
First it was Big Pharma and Big Agra causing all trouble in the world, and now it’s Big Bug? But seriously, fantastic news for Decatur. They’ve certainly needed some.
- Siriusly - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 9:33 am:
Also did not know this was a thing, but honestly it’s very exciting in terms of how to make the animal production industries more sustainable.
I’m happy to see this one. Between the electric car plant in Bloomington and this, central IL is becoming quite the hub for future sustainable technologies.
- Chambanalyst - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 9:34 am:
What will the smell in Decatur be like now?
- Bruce( no not him) - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 9:36 am:
So. it appears they were careful not to say the word maggot. Which I think is what they are raising.
- essentially working - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 9:36 am:
“What will the smell in Decatur be like now?” - Everyone knows you have to try to live upwind LOL The smell really is a lot better than it was 20 some years ago. This is great news for Decatur.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 9:37 am:
Well played on the Easter Egg…
To the post,
I’m fascinated and intrigued, and I can’t help, after the Easter Egg to think of Mark Whitacre, ADM, and some the best written asides of Mark Whitacre… downright genius
Let’s hope for a big boon for Decatur as well.
- Earnest - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 9:40 am:
It’s a bug, not a feature.
- Drake Mallard - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 9:41 am:
I am old enough to remember the movie of the giant grasshoppers climbing around the Prudential Building in Chicago. So this news gives me the heebie-jeebies
- notsosure - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 9:43 am:
This made my day, in so many ways: 1) the Python reference; 2) it is good news for once; and 3) the memories of trying to hold our breaths as kids when driving on that bridge over the Staley facility.
- ILPundit - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 9:45 am:
I think once this plant is up and running, Decatur should re-brand their annual Celebration as Insect-Fest
- Nick Name - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 9:47 am:
Stephen King, call your office.
Seriously, congrats to Decatur.
- State Sen. Clay Davis - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 9:48 am:
Cricket protein (EXO is an example brand) is already pretty popular in the fitness/paleo world. So yes it’s a thing, and getting it into the livestock food chain is a big improvement from using soybeans or remnants of other mammals. Bugs smell a whole lot better than hogs and take in so little water that it’s extremely easy to raise them. Win win win over the status quo.
- RNUG - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 9:49 am:
Good for Decatur. Hopefully some new jobs will slow or stop the decline the city has gone through the last 20 years.
- Springfieldish - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 9:49 am:
This is sooo opening scene of a cheap horror film. Cue the Grubs that Ate Decatur.
Hoping this smells better than soybeans in the August sun.
- Leigh John-Ella - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 9:52 am:
Bugs certainly are the theme for Illinois for 2020.
- walker - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 9:58 am:
Good stuff. Great use of byproducts of other production. Good continuing linkage with international companies for new tech and jobs.
Just remember these kinds of investments when demanding cuts in “corporate tax loopholes.”
- Northsider - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 10:10 am:
Great news, and perhaps as another revenue stream, we can encourage the use of Asian Carp in the Fish-Slapping Dance?
- Chatham Resident - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 10:12 am:
==“What will the smell in Decatur be like now?” - Everyone knows you have to try to live upwind LOL The smell really is a lot better than it was 20 some years ago. This is great news for Decatur.==
I’ve smelled the “Decatur smell” from ADM all the way in Springfield (Capitol Complex) at least a few times, but not as much in the past 10 years.
Although the complex area has its own smell problems: the poop-smelling early 1900s-era sewers, and in the spring the rotten fish smell from those trees blooming near the Archives and Howlett buildings (which I didn’t mind missing smelling this year due to the pandemic shutdown).
- Da Big Bad Wolf - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 10:14 am:
Simba from Lion King would like this.
- Amalia - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 10:14 am:
@Northsdider, reenactment of the fish slapping dance of course including Asian Carp, but starring …? State pols? or City of Chicago? and whom?
- ChrisB - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 10:20 am:
Reminds me of an old series I used to read when I was a kid, Hank the Cowdog.
“Eating bugs is lots of fun,
they won’t require a hot dog bun,
nourishment for everyone,
Eating bugs is lots of fun.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jY2z7DUr_a8
- truthteller - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 10:31 am:
more taxpayer give aways to profitable US corporation.
- Not a Billionaire - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 10:31 am:
This is nothing compared to cultivated meat and precision fermentation. We have a PF company Natures Fynd. In Chicago . Brave Robot ice cream is delicious. It’s the future like Rivian and Illinois needs to get on it.
- Anon221 - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 10:33 am:
Some interesting backgrounders on insects for feed- https://www.scoop.it/topic/protein-alternatives-insects-as-mini-livstock
- Pot calling kettle - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 10:39 am:
Good news.
But…which insects they plan to raise is important. My hope is that they raise insects native to central Illinois so that when some escape, we don’t have to deal with another invasive species.
https://youtu.be/0yfJQUoxN3U
- ChrisB - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 10:55 am:
@Pot
No problem. We simply unleash wave after wave of chinese needle snakes. They’ll wipe out the bugs.
- A Jack - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 11:08 am:
Their common name is Black Soldier Fly. They are common throughout North America. They aren’t considered pests to humans and don’t carry disease. They aren’t attracted to human habitats, unlike those freaking Asian Ladybeetles.
- Dotnonymous - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 11:21 am:
Fragrant fly fertilizer…perfect for Decatur.
- Earnest - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 11:39 am:
The giant grasshopper movie was “The Beginning of the End.” Well worth seeking out for 50s sci fi fans. Our state’s investments in higher education and agriculture result in the U of I accidentally creating giant grasshoppers in their efforts to use radiation to grow bigger vegetables. It’s geographically accurate as it lists the towns being destroyed as the grasshoppers make their way to Chicago. It’s the perfect movie if you have Eastern Bloc relatives coming for Thanksgiving–downstate finally gets its revenge on the city. You can point out that without continued investment in state institutions, something like this could never happen again. And, with our great state geographically united, we can now rule the grasshoppers forever.
- The Ford Lawyer - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 12:01 pm:
Their website says they use Hermetia Illucen, which is the soldier fly larva. So yeah, “Maggots, Micheal, you’re eating maggots.”– The Lost Boys (1987).
- Cool Papa Bell - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 12:20 pm:
Quick math, if we are replacing raw soybeans all those flys will be the equivalent of roughly 2.2 million bushels of soybeans… That’s the production of roughly 31,500 acres. Macon County planted 129,000 of soybeans in 2017.
If its a fly to soymeal comparison then about 2.8 million bushels of soybeans and nearly 40,000 acres of production.
- Tankward - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 12:48 pm:
Will PETA come to the defense of these insects?
- Left Leaner - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 12:48 pm:
In all seriousness…insects = the protein of the future.
Glad to see Illinois is on/ahead of the curve on this.
- Chatham Resident - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 12:56 pm:
If not for the pandemic, would Pat Quinn had been invited to the plant’s grand opening?
- Lester Holt’s Mustache - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 1:04 pm:
What, no comment from those spent 2017 proclaiming that no businesses would open in Illinois if JB got elected? One of them has an entire thread dedicated to them, you’d think the least that person could do is entertain us with some revisionist history.
- Nearly Normal - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 1:06 pm:
Decatur gets to make insect protein feed supplement whereas Bloomington will be making chocolates!
Ferrero North America expectsnto spend $75 million to expand their plant on the southwest side of Bloomington. The former Beich’s candy plant was first bought by Nestle and then acquired by Ferrero when they bought Nestle’s US confectionary business.
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ferrero-to-build-its-first-north-american-chocolate-manufacturing-center-in-bloomington-illinois-301177542.html
- What Do We Do Next - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 1:22 pm:
Yet another great announcement for Decatur!
Things are really moving over here: incredible sculpture garden, zoo, Childrens Museum with train that connects them all; amazing outdoor amphitheater that’s bringing in big names; new Park District waterpark opening in 2021; Caterpillar production is booming; Crossings Healthcare; opioid treatment facility; police/fire training academy; and on and on
If only we hadn’t reelected Sue Scherer.
- Northsider - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 1:22 pm:
Amalia @ 10:14,
Anyone who’s interested in goofing off for the halibut.
.
.
.
I’ll show myself out, now.
- horsesmouth - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 1:54 pm:
This is the best news I’ve heard all day. Let Illinois rise from the ashes of this hard political news we are hearing today. Life goes on.
- Peter Torque - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 3:55 pm:
Can you use this bug protein in smoothies? We all need more protein. Anyone know the fiber content of a quarter cup of Hermetia Illucens?
- thisjustinagain - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 5:17 pm:
The jokes write themselves with Pythonesqe requisit-ti-ti-ti-tes, and the 50’s bug movies where the ultimate solution was The Bomb when conventional weapons were useless. At least Decatur will have some new jobs. “Hi, I raise bugs for a living; what do you do?”
- Chatham Resident - Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 8:35 pm:
==Yet another great announcement for Decatur!
Things are really moving over here: incredible sculpture garden, zoo, Childrens Museum with train that connects them all; amazing outdoor amphitheater that’s bringing in big names; new Park District waterpark opening in 2021; Caterpillar production is booming; Crossings Healthcare; opioid treatment facility; police/fire training academy; and on and on
If only we hadn’t reelected Sue Scherer.==
She needs to bring some of that “really moving” development to the east side and downtown/Capitol Complex/Vinegar Hill areas of Springfield–they are all in her district too. (At least for 2 more years).