Nasekomo claims new industry benchmark for insect bioconversion profitability

The developing world of insect farming for the pet food industry has taken a step forward, with a Bulgarian biotech firm claiming a new benchmark in profitability.

Sofia-based Nasekomo says it has achieved a 25% feed conversion ratio (FCR), a new record that is one-third higher than traditional crate-based solutions. The firm’s proprietary Automated Insect Rearing Beds and Bots platform combines deep-substrate vertical farming, robotics and AI-powered analyses and complete environmental control without the use of crates.

Key moment

Marc Bolard, Co-Founder and CEO of Nasekomo, says it’s a key moment for the industry.

“The result shows how insect farming can truly scale and compete,” he states in an interview with GlobalPETS.

“At the current improvement rates, we aim at operating at this efficiency level or more in the short term, from 2026 onwards. Furthermore, our process has much lower mortality rates than in crate-based systems.”

Bolard sees exciting potential for the industry. “It means we can start entering real markets – pet food, aquaculture, even poultry feed – with a product that’s not just sustainable but economically viable. It’s not just about hitting a number. It’s about opening doors,” he notes.

AI and robots

At the core of the firm’s platform is a plowing robot with built-in sensors that help fine-tune humidity and temperature throughout each stage of larvae growth.

It’s built to be flexible, handling everything from mixing and watering to refeeding, cooling, heating and live monitoring. This means the system can constantly adjust to keep conditions just right, helping the larvae grow steadily and efficiently from start to finish.

Each unit can stretch to 81 meters long and stack 12 floors high, handling about 16,000 tons of feed a year. That translates into around 4,000 tons of larvae annually, based on a 25% feed conversion rate. The system uses smart AI to monitor everything, make tweaks when needed and keep things running smoothly. It’s built to be modular, energy-efficient and a solid option for scaling up insect farming.

Siemens support

The development of the firm’s platform has been assisted by German multinational Siemens.

“If we want this industry to scale, we need structure. Consistency,” explains Bolard. “Siemens helps us build that, from automation protocols to AI-ready frameworks. Their expertise is a real accelerator – not just for us but for the whole sector. And they’re also helping us share our story more effectively, which is just as important when you’re building something new.”

Sustainable profitability

Bolard says the industry’s next step is proving sustainable profitability at scale, noting that Nasekomo is nearly there.

“Our goal in the next 2 years is to deliver an integrated, replicable bioconversion project that’s efficient, profitable and sustainable,” he says. “This will serve as a showcase, not just for what insect farming can be, but for what it should be.”