Innovafeed pauses U.S. operations as part of a phased strategy 

USA – France-based insect protein producer Innovafeed has paused operations at its North American Insect Innovation Center (NAIIC) in Decatur, Illinois, just a year and a half after its launch, according to an article by Feed & Additive Magazine. 

The sudden move has raised questions about the future of the company’s U.S. expansion, but Innovafeed insists the decision reflects strategic planning rather than retreat.

“The broader industrial project remains very much alive and aligned with our long-term roadmap,” said Nadège Audiffren, Innovafeed’s Head of Communications, in response to inquiries about the closure.

The NAIIC facility was established in 2022 through a partnership with ADM, one of the world’s leading agricultural processors.

The collaboration centres on breeding black soldier flies in state-of-the-art indoor farms while repurposing ADM’s agricultural by-products in a zero-waste framework. 

The process yields valuable outputs, including insect meal, oil, and soil amendment, aimed at sustainable feed and food solutions.

According to Audiffren, Innovafeed has already met the objectives of the centre’s initial phase. 

“Over the past 18 months, we completed the testing program planned, which validated the potential of local corn co-products as feed for our insects (vs. wheat in France). With those results in hand, we are now focusing our joint efforts with ADM on developing the pet food market for our ingredients.”

ADM recently unveiled the Buzz Bar, a pet treat concept containing Innovafeed’s Hilucia™ brand of black soldier fly protein and oil, signalling that the companies’ partnership continues to bear fruit despite the pause.

Responsible allocation and next steps

Audiffren emphasised that the decision aligns with Innovafeed’s phased development plan. “This pause is part of our phased, de-risking approach, reflecting a responsible allocation of resources to ensure we remain resilient while preparing for the next steps including the commercial-scale facility in Decatur. Both parties remain committed to this multi-phase, large-scale project.”

She added that before full production begins, a significant construction phase must take place in coordination with ADM, and “the precise timeline will be confirmed at a later stage.”

Even as it recalibrates in the U.S., Innovafeed continues to expand globally.

At the 2025 Global Shrimp Forum, the company announced a commercialisation partnership with BioMar and Auchan, marking what many see as a breakthrough moment for the aquaculture and insect protein industries.

Audiffren concluded that Innovafeed expects to share “further structuring news by the end of 2025”.

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