Cambridge to host world’s leading black soldier fly conference in 2025

UK – The world’s leading Black Soldier Fly (BSF) scientists, innovators, and industry leaders will converge in Cambridge, UK, from 8–10 September 2025 for BSFCON 2025, the only international conference dedicated entirely to Hermetia illucens and its role in sustainable transformation.

Building on the success of its inaugural edition in 2023, BSFCON 2025 will unite researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers to explore the science, technology, and commercial applications of this fast-rising insect species. 

Jointly organised by the University of Cambridge, Better Origin, FreezeM, and Innovafeed, the event promises a 360° view of the BSF’s potential to drive solutions in feed, food, fuel, and waste management.

“After the incredible response to our first event in 2023, we’re thrilled to announce that the Black Soldier Fly Conference is back,” the organisers said.

“Whether you’re working on upscaling production systems or pioneering bio-conversion technologies, BSFCON is the place to learn, collaborate, and lead.”

Three days of insight and collaboration

The conference opens on 8 September with a newly introduced Industry Day, focusing on scaling, regulation, market trends, investment insights, and real-world applications of BSF technology. 

This will be followed by two academic days (9–10 September) delving into topics such as nutrition, genetics, physiology, feedstocks, behaviour, automation, and production systems.

The programme will feature keynote speeches from global experts, including Martin Zorrilla, Head of Product Development at Reploid; David Zilberman, Distinguished Professor of Agricultural and Resource Economics at UC Berkeley; and Olympia Yager, Founder and CEO of Goterra.

Zorrilla, a lifelong insect enthusiast, brings extensive experience in BSF decomposition ecology and commercial R&D, having previously served as CTO at Nutrition Technologies. 

Zilberman offers deep insight into agricultural innovation and the bioeconomy, with recent research into BSF waste management systems. 

Yager, a pioneer in decentralised insect farming technology, is transforming food waste processing through modular, autonomous BSF-powered systems.

Attendees can expect a mix of expert-led sessions, poster presentations, workshops, discussion panels, and high-value networking breaks, ensuring both academic and commercial communities can exchange knowledge and forge partnerships.

Driving a sustainable future

BSFCON comes at a time of accelerating interest in insect-based solutions for sustainable food and waste systems. 

The Black Soldier Fly has proven its versatility, from producing high-protein animal feed and pet food to generating biofertilizers and enabling large-scale waste valorisation. 

According to Precision Business Insights, the Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae global market size was estimated at US$422.8 million in 2024, and is projected to reach US$3,847.3 million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 37.1% from 2025-2031.

Yet, significant challenges remain, including scaling production, aligning regulations across markets, educating consumers, and unlocking new industrial applications.

“In a world facing mounting climate and resource pressures, the Black Soldier Fly is no longer a niche innovation,” the organisers noted. “It’s a proven, scalable, and versatile solution.”

The Industry Day will spotlight near-future innovations, new business models, and the opportunities and hurdles in marketing insect products as sustainable. 

The academic programme will present cutting-edge findings on BSF biology, performance optimisation, and production technologies.

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