Alternative Proteins Magazine ISSUE FOCUS October 2025 35 The promise of insect proteins as a circular solution is based on strong principles, but continues to face challenges in implementing circularity and reaching commercial scale. The insect farming industry is still in its early stages, with companies actively testing various production scales and refining indoor farming technologies to identify viable and efficient business models. The industry will have to overcome its challenges in sourcing circular feedstocks and achieving regulatory acceptance of underutilised waste streams in key markets before production volumes can increase. Biochar feed additive Biochar is a carbon-rich material produced by pyrolysing (i.e., heating without oxygen) biomass such as crop residues, forestry by-products, or food waste. When included in small amounts in animal diets, early studies suggest it may influence gut function, reduce methane emissions in ruminants, and alter nutrient cycling. These effects can also improve manure quality, lowering ammonia emissions and enhancing soil fertility when the manure is applied as fertiliser. Biochar’s circularity potential lies in converting waste biomass into a feed additive while creating co-benefits for both livestock systems and soils. The commercial adoption of biochar remains in its early stages and is currently limited to trials and niche markets. In experimental settings, the use of biochar has yielded inconsistent results for both animal performance and environmental outcomes. Regulatory approval is also still evolving. For biochar to be deployed more widely in feed, updated safety and efficacy standards are needed. As a circular solution, biochar illustrates an intriguing pathway to link waste management, livestock production, and soil health. Its role in feed remains experimental, with inconsistent evidence and evolving regulation limiting broader uptake. Realising its potential will require a stronger evidence base and a clear demonstration of benefits at a commercial scale. NOVEL INGREDIENTS CAN HELP CLOSE THE LOOP IN FEED Circular feed ingredients represent one of the most practical tools for improving the sustainability of animal feed. By valorising industrial by-products into nutritious inputs for livestock and aquaculture, they can help diversify supply chains and reduce over-reliance on conventional ingredients such as soy and fishmeal. Substantive progress will depend on supportive regulation, investment in infrastructure, and stronger collaboration between feed producers, innovators, and policymakers. At the Centre for Feed Innovation, we believe the sector’s priority should be to advance feed solutions that combine circularity with commercial viability. By directing support toward approaches that can scale safely and sustainably, the feed industry can strengthen resilience, reduce environmental impact, and deliver on the promise of closing the loop in livestock and aquaculture nutrition. The Centre for Feed Innovation is a think tank dedicated to advancing novel feed ingredients. We work with companies, policymakers, and investors to identify commercially viable pathways, de-risk innovation, and accelerate adoption. We will continue to provide analysis and insights on how circular feed ingredients can contribute to more resilient and sustainable food supply chains. About Aashish Khimasia Aashish Khimasia is Director of Research at the Centre for Feed Innovation (CFI), a think tank dedicated to accelerating the transition toward sustainable, scalable and safe animal feed. Khimasia leads CFI’s research agenda on novel feed ingredients, in collaboration with academics & industry, bridging technical, regulatory, and investment perspectives to help support the scaling of new solutions from pilot to market.
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