The French insect agriculture company specialized in producing insect-based protein and fertilizer from mealworms. These products sustainably replace animal proteins in the supply chain consumed by fish and livestock farms and used in pet food and fertilizers.
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A commercial court has pronounced the judicial liquidation of French insect agriculture company Ÿnsect following a hearing held in early December, with the commercial court ordered liquidation after the company failed to secure funding during its observation period. The company has been ordered into judicial liquidation due to its inability to secure necessary funding, resulting in the shutdown of its large-scale operations, despite raising over €600 million, its capital-intensive model was unsustainable.
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Ÿnsect requested judicial safeguard proceedings in September 2024 after finding itself unable to pay its debts and declaring insolvency, then was placed under judicial reorganization in March 2025, and was unable to provide financial guarantees despite several extensions.
Studies showed that using cultivated mealworm products have led to a 34% increase in yield for rainbow trout, a 40% mortality reduction in shrimp and a 25% increase in yield for rapeseed.
A smaller venture focusing on fertilisers from insect by-products will continue despite the liquidation of large-scale operations.
The difficulty to compete with global feed commodities reflects how Europe has higher energy and labour costs, cooler temperatures, and tighter regulations – all of which push up the cost base for large insect facilities.
Named Competitors
Protix — Black Soldier Fly larvae production for sustainable animal feed
Innovafeed — Insect-based protein and oil production from Black Soldier Fly
Aspire Food Group — Cricket-based protein production for sustainable food systems
AgriProtein — Black Soldier Fly larvae farming and protein processing
EnviroFlight — Black Soldier Fly larvae production for animal feed
Recent Developments
(September 2024) Ÿnsect filed for judicial safeguarding after inability to pay debts
(March 2025) Company placed under judicial reorganization with observation period