Innovation

Volare Oy’s operations are based on long-term research of founders Tuure Parviainen (CEO) and Matti Tähtinen (CTO), executed at the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland. Volare was established early 2021. The idea of working with black soldier flies on industrial scale makes the innovation groundbreaking and the team is aiming high. The use of latest biotechnology with robotics, 3D printing, and Internet of Things enables the high product quality the company boasts. A major benefit of the innovation is the purest form of circularity which reduces environmental stress caused by food supply chains.

The main process, following circular methods, starts with the larvae of the black soldier fly eating waste created by food industry. For example, the food and beverage company Paulig and Volare are piloting their co-operation in terms of tortilla production leftovers directed to larvae feed, aiming to save energy and resources as well as produce high-quality protein. Another significant partner is the alimentary consumer goods company Myllyn Paras that produces a side stream of approximately five million kilograms of oat hull per annum which are now consumed as larvae feed instead of used in heat production.

The larvae then produce fertilizer as a side product and when larvae are mature, they are grinded into powder creating a cutting-edge, sustainable food source for both people and animals. This protein powder can compensate for the environmentally harmful products such as soy and fishmeal that have severe environmental impacts. The product is already in use in animal feed and fishmeal, and the lipid fats are utilised by the cosmetics industry.

Inspiration

Volare’s founders previously researched the overall biomasses of the society and economy, realising they were not being exploited optimally. This led to identifying black soldier fly production as a solution to the problem. According to Volare’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) Jarna Hyvönen, interviewed by students, inspiration for her work comes from the company’s purpose of changing how the food industry works for the better. “For everyone at Volare, it has been very important to be able to work toward something that really creates a big positive impact for the environment.”

Overall impact

Genuinely circular business models are hard to come by, but Volare is a prime example. Everything that enters their plant, leaves as a new product. From technology to energy source, the production methods have been optimised for low emissions, making operations ultra-sustainable. In this way, Volare already enables their partners to reduce their respective emissions, whereby the positive environmental impacts are multi-fold throughout Volare’s value chain. Importantly, Volare can make this green change happen already today.

Further critical impacts of Volare’s innovation, especially in the longer term, include the ability to save lives through enhanced food security globally. In the future, Volare’s products could also be used in the human food segment, contributing also to more sustainable diets. To put things into perspective, Volare’s industrial-scale plant can feed 4.75 million salmon in a year.

Business benefit

According to reports, the global insect market is growing by about 27% annually, and its annual total value is estimated at EUR 6 billion by 2027. This highlights tremendous business and growth potential also for Volare. In all aspects, Volare’s operations are scalable across markets and geographies. For instance, the black soldier fly is a natural species in a large part of the world. It can be used flexibly and efficiently in small-scale upcycling, farmed on-site, yet can produce large impacts. Already, Volare’s demonstration plant produces half a ton of material monthly, and their client Alvar Pet has launched the first commercial product that contains Volare’s materials. In 2021, the company received EUR 0.7 million in funding from the venture capital firm Maki.VC, in addition to being granted a selective Business Finland Aid worth EUR 450,000. Thus far, Volare has invested more than one million euros in food technology. After 2023, Volare expects to build several plants in Europe each year while conquering new markets, exploring new investment opportunities and offering employment. In 2026, Volare expects revenue of EUR 40M.

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Social and environmental benefit

Volare’s innovative solution contributes to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2, 12, 13, 14 and 15. The need for protein has increased with the growing global population, and Volare’s solution provides an alternative protein source for people and animals. As it also prevents food industry side streams, and has a relatively small carbon footprint (compared to the production of other protein sources, such as meat and soy), the innovation promotes responsible consumption, supports climate action, and preserves life both on land and below water. Additionally, in the spirit of goal 17, Volare aims to build an ecosystem between major players in the human and animal food industries.

Interview

Jarna Hyvönen, Chief Operating Officer