SPRINGDALE, ARK. — Looking to further its commitment to sustainable protein, Tyson Foods Inc. entered a partnership with Protix, a global insect ingredients company based in the Netherlands. Tyson acquired a minority stake in Protix through a direct equity investment to help the company fund its global expansion.

The agreement is two-fold: the investment supports the growth of the emerging insect ingredient industry and expands the use of insect ingredient solutions in proteins and lipids for more sustainable production.

“Our partnership with Protix represents the latest strategic investment by Tyson Foods in groundbreaking solutions that drive added value to Tyson Foods’ business,” said John R. Tyson, chief financial officer of Tyson Foods. “The insect lifecycle provides the opportunity for full circularity within our value chain, strengthening our commitment to building a more sustainable food system for the future.”   

Additionally, Tyson agreed on a joint venture with Protix to construct and operate an insect ingredient facility in the United States. 

The facility will house an enclosed system to support all aspects of insect protein production, including breeding, incubating, and hatching of insect larvae.

Tyson said that upon its completion, it will be the first at-scale facility of its kind to upcycle food manufacturing byproducts into high-quality insect proteins and lipids. The proteins and lipids will primarily be used in pet food, aquaculture and livestock industries.

“We are very excited to announce the next step in our international growth strategy. Tyson Foods’ and Protix’s strategic partnership advances our joint work towards creating high-quality, more sustainable protein using innovative technology and solutions," said Kees Aarts, chief executive officer of Protix. "Moreover, we can immediately use their existing byproducts as feedstock for our insects. This agreement is a major milestone for Protix and significantly accelerates our ambition to grow through international partnerships.”