Robots assist with larvae breeding on Danish insect farm

The Enorm Biofactory in Denmark is Scandinavia’s largest commercial insect farm. It is combining robotics and larvae farming to create a sustainable protein source. Using black soldier fly larvae and KUKA AG’s Hygienic Oil robots, the facility efficiently converts food waste into high-quality animal feed.

With the world’s population expected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, protein demand is rising. Black soldier fly larvae grow at an astounding rate: 25 kilos of eggs become 100 tons of larvae in just 12 days.

The fully automated facility had two challenges: extreme heat from larvae metabolism and handling heavy crates at high speed. Sealing System Group partnered with KUKA to integrate six KR Quantec PA HO robots to automate the process.

“Not even the fittest worker could lift these containers,” said Sealing System Group CTO Rolf Tange.

The robots work 20 hours a day, processing 500 crates per hour. The entire operation runs autonomously and requires just two employees to oversee the system, said Augsburg, Germany-based KUKA. The company’s Hygienic Oil robots, designed for food safety, use H1 lubricants that are harmless if they contact food.

"The larvae of the fly can feed on almost all organic matter," said Jane Lind Sam, chief operating officer of Enorm. “That's why we can feed them with waste products from the Danish food industry that would otherwise be disposed of elsewhere -- and turn them into high-quality feed protein for livestock farming.”

Insect production is a prime example of a sustainable circular economy with minimal impact on the environment and climate. With automation and a circular production model, the Enorm Biofactory is demonstrating how robotics and nature can work together for a greener future.

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