The animal feed industry has long grappled with sustainability challenges; from its heavy reliance on environmental and economic resources to its environmental footprint, it has raised increasing concerns about food security and the future of livestock feed. Although alternative solutions are still in their nascent stages, entrepreneurs are coming up with innovative solutions to change the game and set new standards in the industry.

One of them is Ashraf El Sharkaway, owner of Proteina Feeds, a company from Egypt offering sustainable solutions for farmers and animal food systems, and ensuring food security for future generations. With the support of the EBRD the European Union (EU), Proteina is expanding its insect-based protein and gearing up to revolutionise the pet food industry.

A legacy of entrepreneurship

Reflecting on Proteina’s beginnings, Ashraf is convinced that an ’entrepreneurial bug‘ has run through his family for generations and has finally caught up with him.

His father had laid the groundwork for Proteina, establishing the business initially as a soya production plant, which supplied protein to animal feed companies. Recognising the significant challenges facing the industry – especially the growing scarcity of soybean yields and the environmental impact of traditional feed sources – Ashraf was inspired to bring his knack for business development to the fore and honour his father’s legacy. The bug, running in his family, sparked his idea of using actual bugs as insect protein.

Ashraf pursued the idea, researching, networking and exploring the viability of this innovation. He envisioned harnessing the inherent power of nature by producing protein from black soldier fly larvae, a natural substitute for the more resource-intensive fishmeal or soybean meal.

Nearly eight years of development later, Ashraf and his team have persisted in refining their technology. "It took a tremendous amount of patience – and perhaps a touch of stubbornness," he reflects. "The market has finally caught up with our vision. With evolving cost structures, insect protein can now truly compete with traditional protein sources."

“Black soldier flies are incredibly efficient in converting organic waste into protein,” says Ashraf. “They transform vegetable waste into high-quality protein, while producing organic fertiliser as a byproduct. We're not just creating sustainable feed – we're operating a true circular economy.”

Through Proteina, Ashraf and his team are tackling another critical environmental challenge: waste management. The company's mission extends beyond animal feed, aiming to revolutionise how Egypt handles its organic waste. By implementing innovative recycling techniques, they are working to teach farmers how to recycle food waste and reduce landfill usage while maximising resource recovery.

Their efforts culminated in the launch of their sister company Proteina Organics, last year. The venture aims the goal to establish Egypt’s first large-scale state-of-the-art black soldier fly larvae production facility.

Creating a habitat for the larvae nevertheless proved difficult, as they require stable climatic conditions. With support from the EBRD's international expertise in sustainable climate control, Proteina developed its first production facility featuring an innovative water-based cooling system. The company is now working toward reaching full capacity, with the goal of upcycling 15 tons of waste daily.

Building on their success, Ashraf and his team identified the petfood market as a promising opportunity to capitalise on their innovative protein and enter the local market. With EBRD and EU support, Proteina is expanding its value chain and producing an organic pet food product made from sustainable insect protein.

Throughout his experience, Ashraf says he learned about himself and his passion for crazy ideas and entrepreneurship.

“I realised that a lot of our success comes down to finding the right people – a strong team who shares your mindset and values and can help drive the business forward. It’s equally important to have an in-depth understanding of the business: what are the value drivers, what is important to the customer, and what drives their decision-making. Then it's about focusing on these insights and developing these key areas."