INTERVIEW 56 Alternative Proteins Magazine October 2025 our production variables. Additionally, by achieving higher productivity with the same consumption of resources and energy, automation contributes to a significant reduction in environmental impact. In designing this process, we encountered both technical and logistical challenges. The first was the actual definition of the automatizable process. Our prior experience in insect rearing, inherited from the exotic pet food sector, was highly artisanal. In that context, the production cost and large volumes were not relevant factors. To industrialize the rearing process at Tebrio's scale, it was fundamental to define a completely new production model and to precisely determine which tasks to automate and the methodology for doing so. The second challenge was strategic: The choice of the automation strategy. Although the simplest automation solution is often the direct substitution of a worker with a robot or an AI (which can operate without rest), this was not the most suitable solution for our needs. Therefore, we had to discard this approach and commit to designing a totally new production process that specifically integrated the technology into our activity. Finally, this transition specialized staff training. The employee role evolves from manual labor to supervising an automated production process that utilizes special equipment and automata. This demands that our staff possess a higher level of education and training. As a company, we must guarantee this training, either by continuously upskilling existing employees or by hiring personnel who already have the required qualifications. We have heard that many ventures in the insect protein sector are struggling with financial difficulties. What strategies is Tebrio adopting to make this new facility economically sustainable in the long term? How do you plan to balance investment, operational costs, and market demand? We have designed a unique technology that has been tested and validated in pilot facilities, proving that the industrial model is viable and highly competitive in terms of costs. In addition, the first module of this large factory is sufficient in metric terms to demonstrate these three variables: Sufficient production to enter target markets, low operating costs for the sale of products in specific niches, and return for investors or to continue building the rest of the modules with own funds depending on the company's financial decisions. Finally, what is this farm’s place in Tebrio's longterm strategy? How does the company see the future of insect production, and how would you describe the impact this facility will have on the industry? The oFarm plays a key role in our long-term strategy, representing a qualitative leap in capacity and technology for industrial insect production. With a surface area of 90,000 m², this facility will enable us to provide a sustainable solution to the growing global demand for protein. We see the future of insect production as a key opportunity to complement traditional sources of animal feed and raw materials, contributing to food security and environmental sustainability. In addition, oFarm will set a new standard in circular economy, energy efficiency, and environmental impact reduction, with a negative carbon footprint. The facility will not only drive technological development and innovation in green biotechnology, but will also have a significant socioeconomic impact, generating more than 1,500 direct and indirect jobs and positioning Spanish industry as a global benchmark in the emerging sector of sustainable insect production. Photo: Tebrio
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