The world’s largest vertical insect farm, located near Amiens, is going through a difficult period. Ynsect, the company behind this ambitious project, is facing major financial and operational challenges. Let’s delve into the details of this innovative plant and the challenges it faces.
A global industrial project
The Ynsect plant in Poulainville, just outside Amiens, stands out for its revolutionary vertical insect farm concept. With a surface area of 45,000 m² and a height of 36 meters, this colossal infrastructure aims to produce insect proteins and fertilizers from beetles, more precisely from milling beetles.
The initial ambition was impressive:
- An annual production capacity of 200,000 tonnes of ingredients
- The creation of 500 direct and indirect jobs
- An investment of 100 million euros
- Use of cutting-edge technologies such as robotics and artificial intelligence
This global project has attracted a great deal of interest, both for its economic potential and for its innovative approach to sustainable food production. French start-up Ynsect has succeeded in raising almost 600 million euros since its creation in 2011, testifying to investors’ confidence in this innovative concept.
Technical challenges and operational delays
Despite initial enthusiasm, the implementation of the project encountered numerous technical and logistical obstacles. The complexity of breeding insects on such a large industrial scale led to significant delays in building and commissioning the plant.
The initial schedule had to be revised:
| Activity | Planned date | Actual date |
|---|---|---|
| Fertilizer production start-up | Mid-2023 | End of 2023 |
| Protein production start-up | Early 2024 | Mid-2024 |
These delays have had a direct impact on the project’s profitability. The slower-than-expected ramp-up in production has led to financial difficulties for Ynsect. At present, the plant employs only around 100 people, a far cry from the 500 jobs initially announced.
A worrying financial situation
Faced with these operational challenges and an insufficient level of production and sales, Ynsect found itself in a delicate financial situation. In September 2024, the company was forced to file for bankruptcy in order to cope with its difficulties.
This legal decision aims to enable Ynsect to :
- Restructure its debt
- Negotiate with its creditors
- Continue its business while solutions are found
- Find new investors
Ynsect’s management stresses that the Amiens plant will continue to operate during these proceedings. However, the company is actively seeking new capital to finance its industrial development and ensure the long-term viability of its innovative project.
Outlook and challenges for the future
Despite these difficulties, the potential of the Ynsect plant in Amiens remains significant. Insect breeding for protein and fertilizer production is part of an underlying trend towards more sustainable food systems. The markets targeted by Ynsect, notably animal feed and fertilizers, offer attractive long-term growth prospects.
The choice of the milling beetle as a breeding insect is presented by Ynsect as a competitive advantage. This species is particularly well suited to the production of high-quality proteins and efficient fertilizers.
Local authorities and the state are closely monitoring the company’s situation, aware of the project’s economic and environmental stakes. The success or failure of this plant could have major repercussions on the development of the insect protein industry in France and Europe.
The future of the Ynsect plant in Amiens will depend on its ability to overcome its current difficulties, optimize production and convince new investors. If it succeeds, this vertical insect farm could well become a model for the agri-food industry of the future, combining technological innovation and sustainable production.
